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SOCCER | BARCELONA

"I still prefer to have Messi" - Koeman

Barcelona is off to a good start after defeating Real Sociedad 4-2 on Sunday night, but Koeman would still prefer to have Messi on the team.

Jennifer Bubel
Jennifer BubelEnglish_AS
Update:
Barcelona is off to a good start after defeating Real Sociedad 4-2 on Sunday night, but Koeman would still prefer to have Messi on the team.
Barcelona is off to a good start after defeating Real Sociedad 4-2 on Sunday night, but Koeman would still prefer to have Messi on the team.JESÚS SANCHO SANCHOFOTODIARIO AS

Barcelona played its first game in the post-Messi era against Real Sociedad on Sunday night. Ronald Koeman led the team to a 4-2 win, and though he might still prefer to have Messi, the team's spirits have been lifted with the victory.

Koeman said he thinks that the team might be playing more as a unit now. There isn't one player deciding the game. That being said, he's pleased with the performance of each individual.

It would be easy to bask in the Messi gloom, but Sunday's game shed some light on the future of the new Barcelona team.

A collective team, indeed

Pedri, only 18 years old, played with maturity and showed potential as a future icon. Pique, who took a paycut, gave Barcelona its first goal of the season. Frenkie de Jong was impressive with his pass accuracy. Braithwaite scored two goals and one assist. And it was newly-signed Depay who delivered the free kick to Pique, leading to the goal.