Ronald Koeman: The first half hour was the best Barca display in recent years

Ronald Koeman: The first half hour was the best Barca display in recent years

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The coach was happy with his team's performance in the opening stages of the game

Ronald Koeman was happy after Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 4-2. Gerard Pique opened the scoring.

“He’s one of the leaders of the team,” said Koeman. “Physically he’s better than last season and it helps a lot. His attitude is exemplary and he scored a great goal.”

Pique played alongside Eric Garcia at the back, who was a surprise starter ahead of Ronald Araujo.

“He played because he’s got more match rhythm,” said Koeman. “Positioning is good and with the ball he’s not nervous.”

It’s the post Messi era and this was the first game without the Argentine star.

“Our game could be more collective than before,” said Koeman. “I’d have preferred to keep having Leo, now we don’t have a player who decides things by himself.”

Koeman added: “We’ve worked a lot on our game without the ball and on pressing. The first half hour of the game was the best Barca performance in recent years, that’s the path we want to follow.”

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