Thread by @BarcaTimes

🎙| #BenficaBarça | Ronald Koeman: “I don’t know if Benfica is the fittest team, but it is a strong club. I had the experience of knowing how great it is. It is a beautiful game in which we need a good result. Both teams have their style. We can expect a interesting match.” #UCL

Koeman: “We do not risk qualifying for the next stage.This game is not decisive.” #UCL

Koeman: “Without a ball we were very well against Levante. We pressed and didn’t let Levante play. We always try, but there are games in which it comes out better or worse. It depends on our attitude and how we can press to steal quickly.” #UCL

Koeman: “Ansu? I do not know if he will go with the Spain NT. The player has a long way to go. For me it was a good day, we won with a good game, Ansu also played and scored. I can not comment on selection issues. He was out 10 months, he only played 15 minutes.” #UCL

Koeman: “My relationship with Laporta? I haven’t seen the president today, but I’m sure we’ll see each other this afternoon and talk about training and tomorrow’s game.” #UCL

Koeman: “Luuk de Jong? He signing was at the last minute of the market. It also depended on the injuries we had. He gives us a lot, he’s a different attacker. The other day he was good and when we need him he’s available. He also has experience in big games in Europe.” #UCL

Koeman: “We expect a difficult game. They have strength in the home games. The Portuguese mentality is to attack and with players at the top.” #UCL

Koeman: “Barça always play to win, our intention is always to control and have the ball. Pressuring the opponent does not depend on the system, we can always do it.” #UCL

Koeman: “Ansu was emotionally tired yesterday. We also have to consider how the mental issue can affect. He trained without problems and we will try to give more and more minutes. I can’t tell you before every game how many minutes we are going to give him.” #UCL

Koeman: “We analyzed Benfica. We know what their strengths are. We want to get the ball. They are fast when they have counter-attacks. It is important to get the ball and if we lose the ball, we have to be organized.” #UCL

Koeman: “I do not like to speak individually about the rival. They have Otamendi, Vertonghen and fast players at the top. The most important thing is to prepare the match.” #UCL

The end of Ronald Koeman’s press game. #UCL