Ronald Koeman is positive about the new chairman Joan Laporta, who won the presidential elections at FC Barcelona on Sunday. The Dutchman thinks the Spaniard is the right man to get the Catalans out of the current financial crisis.
“Laporta is very involved with coaches and players. He already came to visit and spoke briefly to the selection in the dressing room. The feeling is positive. His arrival is good for the future of the club,” said Koeman on Tuesday at his press conference before the club. Champions League game with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
58-year-old Laporta, who has been the chairman from 2003 to 2010, has expressed all his support in Koeman throughout the campaign and hopes to ensure that Lionel Messi remains for Barcelona. The 33-year-old Argentinian’s contract expires after this season and it is still the question whether he wants to extend his contract.
“It is true that Laporta has a history with Leo and a number of other players. In my opinion that is a positive thing, but I don’t know if that increases the chances that Leo will stay after this season. He has to decide that for himself. hope so, of course, “said Koeman.
Koeman believes in stunt against Paris Saint-Germain
The first match under the rule of Laporta will immediately be a tough one for FC Barcelona. Koeman’s team has to work out a 1-4 defeat from the first meeting in the Parc des Princes against PSG on Wednesday evening (kick-off at 9 p.m.), an almost impossible job on paper.
“Nothing is impossible in football”, Koeman remained hopeful. “If we want to have a chance, we have to be very effective. The most important thing is that we give everything and feel that we have done our best. Then we will see the result later.”
Barcelona can hold on to the historic diptych with PSG in the 2016/2017 season. The Catalans then made up for a 4-0 loss from the first leg with a 6-1 win at Camp Nou, enough for a place in the last eight.
“The circumstances are completely different now,” says Koeman. “It’s easier to play the return at home and I don’t think PSG is afraid of us. They won’t think this is going to be an easy game.”
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