Koeman: Barça must learn not to drop the rhythm and to stay focused

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman spoke to the press after his side's 5-2 win over Getafe in La Liga on Thursday at Camp Nou.

Two Lionel Messi strikes and an own goal helped Barça into a 3-1 lead at the break but they dropped off in the second half and allowed the visitors to get back to 3-2 via a penalty.

Barca reacted with late goals through Ronald Araujo and Antoine Griezmann but Koeman said it was a lesson that his side cannot switch off.

"It's true there were difficult moments in the second half," he said. "I think it's a good result in the end, with a very good first half, the team was very focused, a lot of chances, played well... the second half, less concentration, the rhythm on the ball was slower, and we complicated things with the 3-2.

"It's unnecessary and another example that when we dip, things can become tough. We have to learn not to drop the rhythm and to stay focused."  

Anger with Mingueza

Koeman also conceded that his reaction to Oscar Mingueza's attacking run in the second half was over the top and said he didn't take the defender off because he was mad with him.

"Maybe my posture with Mingueza was a little exaggerated because he's having a great season," he added. "But as a Barca player, you have to be switched on in every game, that's hard, it's hard for Oscar, for Pedri, who wasn't at his level today... and Araujo ... and they have to learn.

"The change was not because I was angry, but to have Frenkie de Jong on the other side and to give Samuel Umtiti minutes he deserved."

NEW FC BARCELONA PODCAST IN ENGLISH