Barça boss Koeman on size of task: I just ask for calm and time

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman took advantage of Tuesday's press conference in Turin to ask for "calm and for time" after a tricky start to the season. 

Barça have dropped points in their last three league games and Koeman says the task facing him is big and he will need support from the club and from supporters.

"When I was speaking with Barça to become the coach I knew it wasn't going to be an easy job," he said in Turin ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game vs. Juventus. 

"Firstly because of the changes we wanted to make and secondly because of Covid. It's a big challenge and I only ask calm and for time, because we're changing a lot of things." 

To add context to his request, Koeman said of the Clasico:  "In the game against Real Madrid, for 60 minutes the team was very good. I respect opinions after the 1-2. I think we were worse. But for the first hour, the chances we had to take the lead, I saw a team with a lot of ambition." 

Barça can bounce back from the Clasico defeat against Juventus in the Champions League this week. Both teams won their first game and are vying for top spot in Group G.