'I want to enjoy the time I have left'

Published on: 26 October 2021

Ronald Koeman says he wants to "enjoy the time I have left" as Barcelona manager as he faces mounting pressure following the defeat by Real Madrid in El Clasico.

Barca were beaten 2-1 at home by their biggest rivals on Sunday, which leaves them ninth in La Liga.

They travel to in-form Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday and Koeman says his side "cannot afford back-to-back losses".

"I'm a grown up and I know how these things work," Koeman said on Tuesday.

"I want to enjoy the time that I have left, if it is eight years, six months, one year, or some weeks. I think it's important that we win this game in Madrid, we cannot afford back-to-back losses."

    Falcao a hero once more in Madrid

Following the defeat on Sunday, Koeman's car was surrounded by some Barcelona supporters, who he has since dismissed as "uneducated people".

He added: "It is a social problem. Uneducated people that don't understand rules and values.

"Inside the stadium the environment was completely different and that is what I keep in mind, that festive vibe, not with those kinds of people."

Rayo are seventh in La Liga, one point ahead of Barca, having been inspired this season by the arrival of veteran Colombia striker Radamel Falcao.

They have won four of their last six games and will be roared on by an expectant home crowd, while Barca may be without teenage forward Ansu Fati because of pain in the knee he had surgery on.

"They are a really tough team to beat and they are even better this season," said Koeman. "We'll have to be in our best shape to beat them in their home.

"He [Fati] doesn't feel right, we will decide on Wednesday morning if he makes the trip."

    The 100 Billion Bottle Problem: Is Coca-Cola's pledge to tackle plastic waste on track?Frankie Boyle's New World Order: The comedian's bold and outrageous way to make sense of the world we live in

The highs and lows of being a football manager

Source: bbc.com

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more