Koeman: It seems like I'm the bad guy in this Suarez story, but it wasn't me

<p> <strong style="font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ronald Koeman has played down Lionel Messi's reaction to Luis Suarez's move to Atletico Madrid.</strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSaa2cSsrQTcMRfguro_3m8Gv7MJxEQUevE2hGGcLHJnAwLVahEoNQpxj5RAwnHwaS1sT57-om1_Wjh9qxMRZteS8dQKmFqCuEHYq_vDUuOsa0lJx2vonHaNeRM3v2NlPbLj5UzWp_70/s1296/r750930_1296x729_16-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSaa2cSsrQTcMRfguro_3m8Gv7MJxEQUevE2hGGcLHJnAwLVahEoNQpxj5RAwnHwaS1sT57-om1_Wjh9qxMRZteS8dQKmFqCuEHYq_vDUuOsa0lJx2vonHaNeRM3v2NlPbLj5UzWp_70/s320/r750930_1296x729_16-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">The new Barcelona boss has allowed the striker to leave the club this summer, although he admitted it wasn't all his own decision.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"It seems as though I'm the bad guy in this film because, behind my call to Luis Suarez, I've shown respect towards him as a person and a player," Koeman said during Saturday's pre-match press conference.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"I told him that if he stayed it would be difficult for him to play, but that if he stayed he'd be part of the group.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"Before I signed, the club had already made some decisions and I've supported those decisions.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"It wasn't just up to me.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"It's normal that Messi is sad when one of his friends leaves the club.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"Leo has been an example for everyone in training and in matches.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"Not once have I seen him not ready for a season.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"He's shown great commitment. I don't have any doubts in that sense."</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">As for Suarez's replacement, Koeman admitted that Barcelona are in the lookout for opportunities to sign one before the window shuts.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"We're always looking for players to improve the team," the Dutchman said.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"It could be that the players we want can't [come] because of the club's financial situation, but I accept that and I knew it beforehand.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"We have lots of top-quality players up front.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"If the squad stays as it is, we'll have to accept it."</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">Riqui Puig is another player that Koeman has suggested should leave the Camp Nou in search of more game time.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"In Riqui Puig's case, there is lots of competition in his position," Koeman added.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"It's not true that he's not in my plans because he'll be in the squad tomorrow.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"It's nothing to do with his shirt number."</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">Unlike Riqui Puig, Ansu Fati is set to play a major part in Barcelona's first team this campaign.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"Ansu Fati is a great talent," Koeman said.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"Few players at his age show this level.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"He's young and has to learn things but, if he's made his international debut, it means something.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"He's a player for the future for the club, although it's impressive that he's good enough to play for the first team at his age."</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">Philippe Coutinho has returned to Barcelona following his loan spell at Bayern Munich and Koeman is looking forward to having him at his disposal.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"Coutinho can play perfectly well as a No.10 or on the left wing," he said.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"He's a player that likes to help the team defensively.</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"He's got a good shot on him, he plays well in space...</p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; margin: 22px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">"I like him and let's hope he succeeds at Barcelona this season."</p>

Koeman Sport Suarez Koeman: It seems like I'm the bad guy in this Suarez story, but it wasn't me

  Ronald Koeman has played down Lionel Messi's reaction to Luis Suarez's move to Atletico Madrid. The new Barcelona boss has allowed...

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