Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has every confidence in the wonderful clash with Real Madrid on Sunday afternoon. He said that in the run-up to El Clásico at a press conference, where he (once again) was asked about his own future.
The Dutch trainer has been under considerable pressure in recent weeks Barcelona, although recent wins over Valencia (3-1 in La Liga) and Dinamo Kyiv (1-0 in the Champions League) have seen the situation improve somewhat. On Sunday, Koeman will have a new chance of success: from 4.15 pm the classic will be played against arch rival Real Madrid, also in its own Camp Nou.
It will not be an open game, the ex-national coach thinks. ,,I don’t expect that there will be many opportunities”, he said at his forward-looking press conference. ,,It will be about effectiveness. All our players will have to be at their best for a duel like this. Both teams have few secrets for each other and will therefore not be surprised by the other. Real has a very experienced team, with a lot of quality. We will have to pay attention to their counter.”
Of course, he was also asked again whether it will be a crucial duel, a question he has been asked so often lately. ,,Do I have to answer this every week…? No, it doesn’t depend on a single match. This is an important week, that’s right, a win would also be very important for our confidence. But it’s not an exam or anything. The chairman really doesn’t have to say every week that he trusts me. I feel supported, but of course I also know that it all depends on the results.”
The pressure doesn’t bother him that much, Koeman repeated. ,,I know that’s part of this job, that’s no problem. I also know how much pressure there is on these Clásicos. I’ve won them in the past, but I’ve also lost them, I’ve been through all that. Although it will be my first Clásico with an audience as a trainer. I am very much looking forward to that.” Finally: does he also see Real Madrid as a favorite? “We see that differently. We know what we can do and we play at home, so I’m not afraid.”
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