Riqui Puig is one of the two players that have not contested minutes in official parties in this season with the FC Barcelona, beside the central French Samuel Umtiti. The canterano follows without being taken in account by Ronald Koeman and has seen surpassed by footballers much younger, as Nico González and Gavi, in fight by a place in the eleven headline of the Barcelona, although Puig has more experience in the football of first level.
The case of Riqui is a complete mystery, because from the offices of the Camp Nou have ratified him the confidence one and one thousand times, because they see him like a player of a lot of future and of quality, but has been impossible for him colarse in the approach of Koeman, even when Pedri González has been low. The past course contested 24 parties (581 minutes), but 20 of them were like substitute. In east, has not jumped in some opportunity.
Koeman, unlike Joan Laporta and the directors, does not see him so much potential. In press conference, in fact, was questioned by the situation of the midfield player and warned that it has to improve in many respects of his game to be able to add minutes with the first team. The Dutch, obviously, is not to taste with the work of the of Matadepera and like this has done it to him know, direct and indirectly.
In the duel in front of the Bayern Munich, by the Champions League, thought that it could go in for dinamizar the centre of the field, that was very turn# off and without ideas, but the one of Zaandam finished opting for taking out to Gavi to the field and that debuted in the European competition. The canterano fulfilled again, with a remarkable performance, and sank more to Riqui Puig in the bench of the Camp Nou, where seems that yes it has a place 'fixed'.
Nevertheless, Koeman recognised that had foreseen that the one of Matadepera played, but the injury of Jordi Alba changed the plans that had, reason by which Alejandro Balde 'surpassed' to his mate and had the opportunity to debut with the first team in a European night very important for him, but that finished with the audible goleada of the muniqueses.
What said Koeman of Riqui Puig
In press conference, the trainer of the FC Barcelona spoke in concrete of the situation of the footballer of 22 years, aiming that: "it Has to improve in many respects of game. The other day it heated and it was a possibility to go in to the party, but had to do the change of the injury of Jordi Alba. It has to work like any youngster".
Also it referred to the situation of Alejandro Balde, very different, the one who would have the opportunity of 'take advantage of' of the injury of Jordi Alba and add more minutes with the Barça: "it Went in the other day very well, with quality and energy. Dest Also has played by the left and Mingueza also did it with the filial, but prefer a left-handed side, is the most normal. It is necessary to know that we are speaking of a very young player, but do not have fear in beginning the party with Balde".