Ronald Koeman has only been on his way to FC Barcelona for a few months before he has to endure an unprecedented crisis. These are the three main problems he is grappling with.
3 biggest problems for Ronald Koeman
1. Messi Unrecognizable
This video from the beginning of this month was telling.
Lionel Messi dhidi ya Dynamo Kyiv 😯#Sportstz pic.twitter.com/AoDYK6mj5r
— Sportstz (@Sportstz_) November 6, 2020
While a defender of Dynamo Kiev crosses the center line with the ball at his feet, Lionel Messi looks on sheepishly from about 5 meters away. The star player could easily disrupt the opponent’s attack build-up, but trudges across the field in a manner that is now characteristic for him. Koeman also cannot be satisfied with the attacking input of the now 33-year-old Argentinian. The star player made only one field goal in eleven duels, although he is now on six hits by five striking penalties. Under Koeman, Messi has taken on a more central role in the Barcelona team. As number 10 in the 4-2-3-1 system, the star player has to split the game, but he barely succeeds. You will definitely find more success at the best online casino SA.
2. No follow-up for good start of the season
Messi’s figures from Saturday against Atlético are shocking. The intended pivot in the attack game sent only eight passes throughout the match and suffered no fewer than 23 ball losses. Koeman decided to give Messi, just like Frenkie de Jong, rest for the Champions League game with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday evening. This way the star players can recover during the busy schedule. The tricky thing for Koeman is that he can’t push the best player Barcelona ever had towards the exit. He can only hope Messi finds his shape and motivation again. And with regard to the latter, it doesn’t help that Messi was at odds with the club management for a while and wanted to leave last summer.
Less than a month ago, FC Barcelona played arguably the best game under Koeman to date. This match was a real joy to watch. Just like people get a lot of joy out of real money slots. But the victory at Juventus turned out not to be the prelude to structural success for the time being. On the contrary. On Saturday against Atlético Madrid (1-0 defeat), Barcelona was trumped by the opponent on all four above-mentioned aspects. The team has the worst start to the season since 1991 in the Spanish league and is thirteenth, although most other clubs have played one or two more matches. Whether club icon or not, Koeman also has to achieve results to stay in the saddle. Although it helps the trainer for the time being that some of the problems cannot be blamed on him.In Turin Juventus was outclassed (0-2) with modern football. Deep players, a high ball pace, immediate pressure when losing the ball and a high intensity. With those four core values, the former national coach tried to revive the Catalan club. After last summer’s blistering 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Barcelona is trying to re-establish itself under Koeman.
3. Presidential election is coming
The upcoming presidential election hangs like a sword of Damocles over the future of Barcelona and that of Koeman. The heavily criticized chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu, who appointed Koeman in the summer, resigned in October. The new presidential election is scheduled for March, but it may be brought forward to January 17, so that the new board can take a new path with the club during the winter transfer period.
Businessman Victor Font is currently the favorite to win the election. He wants to focus on the youth of the club and have important roles on the board and around the first team filled by prominent former players such as Carles Puyol and Victor Valdés. However, the most important pawn in Font’s plans is Xavi Hernández. The former midfielder is currently trainer of Al Sadd in Qatar and, according to the presidential candidate, should become head coach at Camp Nou. Font recently announced that Xavi with his “enormous qualities” can also be important in another role within the club. “Koeman can remain a trainer if his results are good.”