FC Barcelona – La Liga Dressing room has come together
Beyond tactical systems or pressing intensities, Ronald Koeman has pulled off one incredible transformation in recent weeks as he has made Barcelona look like a team again.
There’s nothing like an outside enemy to bring a squad together and the financial crisis of the club and public criticism has brought the players into a unit.
The arrival of youngsters has refreshed the dressing room and changed the atmosphere from last season.
Koeman‘s aura and charisma has also helped, with his status as a club legend as a player establishing a respect for him that helps him to manage the team’s stars.
With Lionel Messi‘s contract leaked, players came together around him too, seeing it as an attempt to destabilise their club.
Instead, they’ve surrounded him, with even Ousmane Dembele becoming fully integrated into the side, all of whom are willing to stick up for their captain.
Despite it all, Messi still looks likely to leave this summer, but a good atmosphere on the training ground could help to persuade him to stay.
Even if Koeman doesn’t win any titles this season, seemingly relying on the Copa del Rey to avoid that fate, he is having an impact at Camp Nou.
Just like his compatriot, Frank Rijkaard, before him, he is building a unit and a new era, though his future may not be interlinked with what is to come in the years ahead.
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