We play more as a team, but I’d rather have Messi in the team, Koeman said after the win over Real Sociedad

After many years, Barcelona started the season without Lionel Messi, who had been dragging them to great success for many years. Ronald Koeman is now tasked with building a team that can compete with the biggest European giants. And it has to be said that the start has indeed been a good one.

Barcelona put in a very good performance against Real Sociedad, holding everything firmly in their hands from the start of the game.

The team has been going through some major upheavals in recent weeks and it is perhaps these that have brought it together so much that the Catalans will now fight like lions for each other and maybe at the end of the season reach one of the two big trophies (La Liga or Champions League), which they failed to do last season.

For such a big club, just winning the Spanish Cup, which it achieved last season, is simply not enough!

“I think our game is now more about the team concept than ever before, but I would still prefer Messi to stay in the team,” the Dutch coach is clear.

But Koeman did single out one player from his squad who put in a great performance on Sunday. Memphis Depay was the standout, with one assist.

The player of the match, however, was without any doubt Martin Braithwaite, the author of two goals and one assist. “He is an example of a great professional. He always works for the team and I am very happy to have a player like him in the team,” Koeman praised the Danish forward after the game.

But the Dutch coach was also happy with the back line, especially Gerard Pique, who scored one goal himself.

“Last year he was the leader, but this season he is even better mentally. His attitude is exemplary, just like the other veterans,” Koeman concluded the interview after the victory.

Barcelona have made it through their first tough game against Real Sociedad and next weekend they will face no easier opponent when the Catalans visit Bilbao, where they have taken only 4 points from their last three league games.

Source: FC Barcelona