Ronald Koeman could not be lucky on Sunday after the 4-0 win over Villarreal in his official debut as head coach of Barcelona. All goals in the Camp Nou were already scored before half-time and Ansu Fati played a large part in that. The seventeen-year-old attacker took both 1-0 and 2-0 for his account and after 34 minutes of play earned a penalty kick, which was redeemed by Lionel Messi. Koeman acknowledged that he had recently been somewhat critical of Fati.

“I complained a bit last week that his return in the exhibition game against Elche had not been optimal. He didn’t play well. Today, however, it was and I told Fati that too ”, emphasized Koeman. “He played a great game. Its depth was enormous, unprecedented even. We took advantage of its qualities. He is only seventeen years old and has a great future ahead, but he still needs to improve. Sometimes he lacks concentration. ” Another youth, Pedri, made his official debut as a substitute. “I am happy with the presence of Fati and Pedri. They both have a great future ahead. ”

Koeman was asked about the 4-2-3-1 system he introduced. “We have the players to be able to play this system. In the second half we nevertheless lost the ball too often. But we also need to get stronger physically. This is only the first game after the preparation. ” In Koeman’s system, Lionel Messi is a false number nine and Antoine Griezmann and Fati play on the sides. The Dutchman was asked whether he would not like to see a number nine in the final phase of the transfer market. “It’s always good to have a different type of attacker, to have a plan B.”

“But we can also play at the point of the attack without a number nine. In any case, it is always good to have one on hand if we want to play differently. ” Griezmann was sometimes lost on Sunday and the reviews of the Spanish media are therefore not tender. That was no different last season, just like the way in which Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setién and now also Koeman defend the Frenchman. I am very happy with his work and his playing. He has not scored, but it is me whoever scores ”, the former defender emphasized.

“Griezmann moves from the outside in in our way of playing, he is not a typical winger. He can also switch positions with Messi. That makes it more difficult for the opponents. ” Barcelona will play an away game against Celta de Vigo next Thursday and will play in-house three days later against Luuk de Jong’s Sevilla. The first meeting after the international period is an away game against Getafe.