At the end of last year, Barcelona was seen as being remotely unable to win a prize this season, but a lot has changed in a few months. The final for the Spanish Super Cup was indeed lost, but Ronald Koeman’s team remained unbeaten in LaLiga for four months, played great football at times and on Saturday the Copa del Rey was won at the expense of Athletic Club: 0-4. Marca on Sunday reflects on the role that Koeman played in the resurrection of los Azulgrana.
“It has been a tough week. Barcelona fell a week ago in Madrid and that hurts in Catalonia ”, the popular sports newspaper refers to the 2-1 defeat on Sunday. el Clásico in competition. “A place where people tend to forget many things with ease. Koeman was the easy target. He has a group of journalists around him who pounce on him at the slightest thing. It was the ideal circumstances. It didn’t matter that Barcelona only suffered its first defeat after an extraordinary run and that the selection itself was in control of winning the league title after being eleven points behind Atlético Madrid. ”
Leo Messi! What a goal and 3-0 for Barça ??
Again an ‘assist’ from Frenkie de Jong ???
Ronald Koeman is almost certain of a prize in his first season in Spain ????#ZiggoSport #CopaDelRey #AthleticBarca pic.twitter.com/ienahMQCVv– Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) April 17, 2021
“Respect was lost when he was called a crybaby and he was pressured to change systems. That wouldn’t work anymore. But Ronald persisted. The indisputable victory over Athletic means the first prize and also means that Barcelona can even win an almost historic double. Koeman’s work is invaluable. The selection was devastated after the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a key player like Luis Suárez left and Lionel Messi wanted to leave. Koeman introduced young players and found a system that worked. ”
“Koeman deserves a lot more respect,” emphasizes Marca. “And chairman Joan Laporta is not helping with his silence. The team now has the opportunity to win the double, even if it is no longer in their own hands. But winning the cup final is definitely an important boost. It would be a historic achievement. ” With eight match days to go, Barcelona has only two points less than leader Atlético Madrid, which will visit the Camp Nou on May 8. That is also an important meeting for Real Madrid, which has one point less than Atlético. The reigning champion will also play for a place in the final of the Champions League in the coming weeks.
Sport, Catalonia’s most popular sports newspaper, will also discuss the role of Koeman on Sunday. “Who is still going to question Koeman?” Is the headline above the article. “The Dutchman had only just landed when he already assured that he had come to Barcelona to win prizes. Hardly anyone believed him because the players lost 8-2 to Bayern and also because there was no money for a necessary renovation of the players group. He rolled up his sleeves, let go of players he didn’t see fit and seduced Lionel Messi with young players of immense qualities. Koeman struggled to oil and get the machine going and he also faced internal obstacles due to an administrative crisis of unprecedented level. ”
“But Koeman put together a brilliant team. A team that is beautiful to see and can also win. It did not go well in the Champions League, but the cup is in and they will compete for the national title until the end. Barcelona’s resurrection is no wonder. It is the result of good and hard work. From the couch and from the offices of Barcelona, where they managed to form a group of players that shapes the present and the future. If there were doubts, and perhaps there were: Koeman is undisputed for next season. He absolutely deserves it, ”emphasizes the Catalan newspaper.
Koeman also received a nice compliment Match of the Daypresenter Gary Lineker. “The first trophy for Ronald Koeman as coach of Barcelona, with winning the Copa del Rey”, the former attacker of Barcelona, among others, published on social media. “What a fantastic job he does in what is a difficult period for the club. Well played.” All Dutch trainers from Barcelona have now won at least one prize. Johan Cruijff is the absolute number one with eleven prizes. Frank Rijkaard (five), Louis van Gaal (four), Rinus Michels (two) and Koeman (one) follow at an appropriate distance from the legend.