Ronald Koeman Makes Lionel Messi Decision As Barcelona Captain Walks Disciplinary Tightrope

Ronald Koeman hopes Lionel Messi can keep out of disciplinary bother for the remainder of the season because the Barcelona famous person teeters on the point of suspension. (More Football News)

Barcelona have strung collectively a 17-game unbeaten run in LaLiga to rework their prospects, closing the hole on wobbling leaders Atletico Madrid to 4 factors.

Messi, nevertheless, is only one yellow card away from a one-game ban, having been booked 4 instances already, and an April 10 Clasico towards Actual Madrid is looming giant.

It might swimsuit Koeman if Messi may keep away from any additional bookings, however the coach won’t let his workforce alternatives be dominated by the potential of the Argentinian lacking a future recreation.

Frenkie de Jong is in the identical precarious place, and Koeman stated: “We all know they’re one card away from the sanction, however it’s what it is.

“I can’t hold anybody in reserve. I hope they don’t see a card. In the event that they get it, one other will play.”

Messi has gone past 20 objectives in LaLiga for a thirteenth consecutive season, the one participant to take action within the competitors’s historical past, and he seems positive to begin towards Actual Sociedad on Sunday.

It might be his 768th look for Barcelona, making him the outright all-time chief after drawing stage with Xavi’s whole when he scored twice in a 4-1 win over Huesca on Monday,

With Barcelona already via to a Copa del Rey closing towards Athletic Bilbao, and on a cost within the league, speak has turned to the prospect of silverware.

Koeman’s first season as head coach has been turbulent at instances however may but finish in a home double.

The Dutchman will not be thinking about such discussions, although, saying on Saturday: “I do not like to speak a few double.

“This adjustments in a short time. Not way back we had been dangerous. We now have to go recreation by recreation and we’re 4 factors behind and the calendar may be very troublesome.

“We now have a closing towards a really troublesome opponent. There’s a lengthy option to go to win issues.”

Koeman warned of the hazard of any slip-up, saying that “every defeat may be costly” as he complimented Actual Sociedad and their “nice coach” Imanol Alguacil.

One participant Koeman has not been in a position to rely on not too long ago has been younger ahead Ansu Fati, who has been sidelined with a knee damage since November.

Barcelona hoped to have Fati again by round this stage of the season, however Koeman stated of the 18-year-old Spain worldwide: “He’s taking longer than we anticipated.

“In a couple of weeks he will probably be coaching out on the sector once more, however he’s younger and robust. We aren’t in a rush.”