While FC Barcelona and its supporters bathe in a sweet euphoria, carried by an impressive series of invincibility and the prospect of a hat-trick, Ronald Koeman came to play the spoilsports.
Present this Thursday at an event of the CRUYFF Foundation, the former coach and legend of the Catalan club took the opportunity to temper the ambient enthusiasm, not hesitating to referly crop comparisons between the new nugget Lamine Yamal and the Lionel Messi icon.
“Messi is unique”: Koeman's sentence that showers enthusiasm around Yamal
If Koeman gladly concedes that “Lamine is a great player”it puts an end brutal to parallels with the Argentine legend which flourish in recent weeks. “You can't compare it with Messi. Messi is unique ”, The Dutch technician said bluntly. Insisting on the fact that he does not “Do not make this comparison”, He nevertheless hopes that the young prodigy will keep his head cold and “Wanting to improve every day” To exploit his immense potential and “Become even better”. An update that sounds like a tackle supported, judged by some as not elegant towards such a young and promising player, who had asked for nothing.
Big tackle of Koeman on Lamine Yamal: “Stop comparing it to Messi! »»
This release on Lamine Yamal is part of a more global logic where Koeman seems to want to shower Catalan optimism. While recognizing the “Great work” of Hansi Flick to build a team “Solidarity”he judges the recent and spectacular 4-0 inflicted on Borussia Dortmund as “Exaggerated”. If he places Barça among the contenders for the final victory in the Champions League, he specifies that he is not “Not the big favorite”. The hero of the 1992 coronation also points to certain defensive weaknesses: “Without intensity, we suffer”, he analyzes, far from the current euphoria.
In full wave of optimism, the statements of Ronald Koeman throw a cold. Should we see the pragmatism of an experienced coach refusing to ignite or a harsh criticism, even a lack of support from a former house, especially towards his young star? One thing is certain, its speaking contrasts and comes, voluntarily or not, spoil the Barcelona party a little.
