Barça boss Koeman explains decision to rest Messi and De Jong

Barça boss Koeman explains decision to rest Messi and De Jong

Koeman explica las bajas de De Jong y Leo Messi en la lista de convocados / | FC Barcelona

The Dutch coach will be without two of his key players in the Ukraine

Ronald Koeman says both Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong needed a rest after leaving them out of the Barcelona squad for Tuesday's Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev. 

Messi and De Jong have played in every Barça game this season and were also involved in several games for their respective countries last week. 

Koeman says, therefore, it's time for them to rest -- and called on UEFA and FIFA to do more to protect the players. 

"We thought it's a good moment to give a rest to Leo and Frenkie," the Dutch coach said. "Both players played all the games, mostly all the minutes, and they need to play with the national teams, like Messi had a difficult trip back from South America, it's a long trip.

"Sometimes you need to protect players because the calendar of games is incredible. Play late Saturday, have to travel today, play late Tuesday, travel back earlier on Wednesday. It's impossible to keep the players fit.

"You have examples like Sergi Roberto, the reason he was injured was the many games he has to play. We were unlucky with Pique and Ansu, different injuries to overload of the players.

"All the coaches, all the players, they know this, but we have to continue to play all these games. It's incredible. It's time for UEFA and FIFA to think about what we are doing with the football players because it's crazy what they need to play."  

Topics with the letter