Ronald Koeman won his first match as Barcelona coach on Saturday. The Spanish top club was 3-1 too strong for Gimnàstic of the Segunda División B. The former national coach of the Dutch national team had two different teams appear in the Estadi Johan Cruyff before and after the break. Frenkie de Jong came into action after the break. Barcelona quickly took the lead via Ousmane Dembélé and then Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho, both from eleven meters, were also accurate.

Koeman had a good feeling about the game. ‘It’s nice that everyone could play for 45 minutes. It is clear that we need to build up the rhythm of competition “, the Dutchman said afterwards. ‘I saw good things about the first two goals. Actions from the side where the spaces were used. We should have scored more goals in the second half. The players had no physical complaints about this match, and that is very important too. ”

“We have seen players who have not played a single game yet. It was our first game and many players were in their national selection as well. In recent weeks, physical work has been dominated. “The next two weeks we will focus more on tactics,” said Koeman, who opted for a 4-2-3-1 system. ‘I know it’s a different system compared to other years, but the players can handle this system. There are good midfielders who can create danger around the penalty area. The pace must necessarily be fast to create spaces between the lines and to be able to score. ”

Lionel Messi was on the field in the first half. He played number ten, but occasionally moved to the right flank. Koeman also notes the good collaboration with seventeen-year-old wing Pedri, who came over from Las Palmas. ‘A great talent, only seventeen years old. An important player for the future. Pedri has the qualities to play. We’ll see how many games he can play. Trincao also received the necessary compliments from Koeman. The 20-year-old Portuguese transferred for Sporting Braga for 31 million euros, and the amount creates expectations.

“I liked the way he stood in the field, the positions he chose,” the Dutchman said of the winger. ‘Sometimes he went in or opted for an individual action on the side. He has qualities and will have to adapt to speed and pace. But it’s an excellent buy. “Logically enough, Koeman got questions about Messi’s first match under his rule. The Argentine was forced to withdraw his wish to leave, and joined Koeman’s choice a week later. ‘He looked passionate, just like on the first day. He exercises well and he also exercises on his day off. Messi knows very well that it will have to go even better physically, but it applies to everyone. Its characteristics can not be disputed. ”