Koeman: "Barça aren't in a position to win much"
The Dutch coach told reporters that Eric García "will come next season" and refused to discuss the leaked technical report: "I'm not interested".
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman faced the media this afternoon to look ahead to tomorrow's meeting with Athletic Club - a game in which he will be without Piqué, Ansu, Coutinho and Dest, but Sergi Roberto is available again.
What is the objective tomorrow?
We had the chance to beat Athletic in both of our two previous meetings with them. In the Super Cup, they won and we know that they are strong physically, especially from set-pieces. They perform to a high level and we'll need to be focused. In both of our last two games against them we created chances and we have to put them away. We've improved when we don't have the ball and looked more focused in recent games. We have to continue that way. It's important that we don't give away any unnecessary fouls for them to capitalise on from free-kicks.
Were you aware of the technical report that was leaked?
It's always important to have someone at the club whose job is to improve the squad. I am not too bothered because it's a task which the club has to do. The players cannot be annoyed by it. We've spoke to them and they are playing. These things happen at every club in the world.
Don't you think it's worrying that a such a report comes out in public; or don't you think there is a problem in what Planes does?
My job is to prepare the team for our games. And Planes' job is to improve the squad. If things come out, that's up to him to explain. I don't read much of what is written in the newspapers. I don't know what has happened but my job is to think about our games. It seems people are talking about other things. All that matter to me is tomorrow's game. Everything else doesn't interest me in the slightest.
The report said that Mingueza and Umtiti are not up to the level required for top level games...
Barça players have to be ready for anything. Umtiti has been out injured for a while. Now he is fully recovered. And Mingueza has played a lot of games, both in central defence and at full-back. We'll see what happens in the future. All of the players have to show their worth and none of them know what could happen at this club.
Can Barcelona aspire to winning trophies this season without Eric García?
This is a season in which we are changing things, we've opted for younger players. We will try to win silverware and we will fight for that. But we have to be realistic considering the changes we have made. Barça always should be ready to battle but we have to be realistic. Right now, Barça is not up for winning that much.
By that do you mean the team is not in contention for LaLiga or the Champions League?
We know the situation in LaLiga. It's difficult but up until the day it is still possible, we will try to win our games. There is no clear favourite in the Champions League. We have two games against PSG and we will be trying to make the next round. That is our job. We are Barça and we always aspire to win trophies but we also have to be realistic.
Once again Barcelona have 9 pm kick-offs...
We would have liked to have played at home in the Copa del Rey. I know that Barça is a big club and that is a factor in audience figures. There's no point in moaning more about it. We have to accept it, play and try to win the game.
Have you spoke to Pep?
We haven't spoken about Eric García because it's not my job to. We know that Eric will come next season if it's not possible for him to come now.