Ronald Koeman experienced his official baptism of fire as coach of Barcelona on Sunday evening and the Dutch coach can look back on a successful debut with a 4-0 victory over Villarreal. Mark van Bommel played a season for the Catalan superpower in the past and the former midfielder notices that Koeman is still doing well at the Camp Nou.

“Left and right you can already hear that Ronald’s way of working pleases the players. Of course it takes some getting used to with a new coach. But Dutch trainers generally opt for attacking football and want the ball. Over the years that has always suited Barcelona, ​​”he says in conversation with The Telegraph. Van Bommel thinks that Koeman has provided himself with some peace of mind with this resounding result to further improve his team.

However, the ex-PSV trainer indicates that Barcelona coaches are always under pressure and he is supported by Boudewijn Zenden, who played for the club for three years in the past. Zenden calls Villarreal ‘not a wrong opponent’, but also points to the upcoming confrontations with Celta de Vigo and Sevilla: “No match is easy in LaLiga. However, these are immediately very tough matches and a victory is expected. It is the fate of a Barcelona coach. Everything is always measured against Real Madrid. You must not fall behind. This applies all year round and therefore it is always busy. ”

Patrick Kluivert is close to the fire as head of training at Barcelona and he believes that Koeman is experienced enough not to be fooled by the rumblings within the club management. Kluivert also praises Koeman’s quality to put players in the right place and to get the best out of individuals: “Antoine Griezmann played from the right, Philippe Coutinho in midfield, Lionel Messi in the forward and Frenkie de Jong in his Dutch national team -position. You noticed that difference – in a positive sense – immediately. ”

Kluivert is also very pleased with Ansu Fati’s actions against Villarreal. The young attacker scored the first two goals: “Of course, as head of training, it makes me proud when you see that seventeen-year-old man making the difference. We know his qualities, but it is the player who has to convince the trainer of his added value. Ansu will still have to take steps, but of course he is very much on the right track. ”