Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2:48 PM• Dominic Mostert

Ronald Koeman does not agree with Jürgen Klopp’s statements about the stadium in which Real Madrid have been playing for months. After Tuesday’s game between Real and Liverpool (3-1) in the Champions League, Klopp predicted that the Royal it will be tough next week at the return to Anfield, as Liverpool does have a ‘real stadium’. Due to a renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu, Real is currently playing in Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, a small stadium on the training complex.

“It is an attempt to discredit a big club like Real Madrid,” Koeman said on Friday to a question about Klopp’s statements. On Saturday he will visit Real with Barcelona himself. Klopp said it was “kind of strange” and “really difficult” to play in the small stadium and added that “things will be different” in the return game. Koeman distances himself from those statements. “Real have taken the opportunity to renovate the Santiago Bernabéu, now that there is no public presence. I am convinced that the field will be fine. It is not an important topic for me,” he said.

“A Clásico is a match in itself”, the Dutchman looks ahead. “We are in good form and are going for the win. Real Madrid has received too much criticism: they are still in the Champions League and are competing for the national title. I do not agree with the criticism that has been there. Real Madrid has had. excellent players and it will be an interesting game. ” Real is in third place, two points behind Barcelona and three points behind leader Atlético Madrid. “The result of the match is not decisive. There are still a lot of matches to go and all the clubs will still encounter obstacles. But it is true that the morale of the winner is a good deal. boost “, says Koeman.

During the press conference, the trainer is also asked what he plans to do with Frenkie de Jong. In the last three league matches he was drafted as a central defender. “The great thing about Frenkie is that he can work in different positions. If he is central in the defense, we can build up better. But he has also shown that he can reach the penalty area of ​​the opponent”, Koeman said. “The important thing is that he is of value in both positions. I will have to consult with the players, but he is someone you can put in different positions.”