Koeman Called Domination In The First Half The Key For Barcelona To Overcome Sociedad

Ronald Koeman (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman praised his team's dominance in the first half, which according to him was the key to the success of overcoming Real Sociedad 2-1 in the Spanish League continued at Camp Nou, Wednesday local time (Thursday WIB).

Barcelona performed brilliantly throughout the first 45 minutes, despite wasting their two early chances through Antoine Griezmann and Pedri and being left behind by Willian Jose's goal.

But two goals from Jordi Alba and Frenkie de Jong helped Barcelona turn the game, although they also had at least one other chance from Griezmann who was denied the crossbar.

"The first half was fantastic, we should have scored more goals. We were really intense, continued to put the opponent under pressure," Koeman said after the match.

"Real Sociedad are actually good at possession of the ball, but we continued to win it, made a very close guard. It is an open match because the opponents know how to face us, but this match is ours and this win deserves," he added.

Megastar Lionel Messi was absent from both the scoreboard and the attacking structure that led to goals, but Koeman said he was satisfied with the captain's hard work.

"This is the team I want to see. All the players are out of their comfort zone. The biggest difference is our performance when we are off the ball and Messi works very hard on that, keeps pressing like the rest of his colleagues," he said.

"That's the attitude I want to see in the players when we don't have possession of the ball," concluded Koeman.

The victory brought Barcelona up to fifth in the standings with a collection of 20 points, ahead of the next match to host Valencia on Saturday, 19 December.