Barca take on Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday earnestly hoping to reduce their 10-point gap behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, who have also played one game fewer than the Catalans.
Ronald Koeman admitted on Tuesday he needs more time to instil his ideas after his faltering start as Barcelona coach. When it was put to him when his methods will deliver better performances, the Barca boss said:
“Little by little we are going to see it. We have tried to take the team forward and to prepare them for the championship but we have important players out injured and I have a squad I have not been able to change much. I need more time to impose my ideas.”
Koeman also confirmed 23-year-old midfielder Carles Alena will be allowed to leave, probably to join Getafe on loan. Not many arrivals are expected this month at Camp Nou, in view of the club’s dire financial situation.
“Every coach, every January is thinking about how they can improve their team,” said Koeman. “I have made a plan of ins and outs. If it is possible or not depends on the club. If not, we continue with what we have.”
The Blaugrana had to postpone training on Tuesday after two members of staff had tested positive for coronavirus, with another round of tests carried out on Tuesday morning but the club reported no further positive cases and training resumed on Tuesday evening.
“We were calm,” said Koeman. “There are things in life it is not possible to control.”
Barca are up against an Athletic Bilbao side kicking off for the first time under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, the former Valencia boss appointed on Sunday after Gaizka Garitano was sacked.
Bilbao are now ninth in LaLiga, having won only six of their 17 league games this term.
“When you get the chance at a great club like Athletic, you have to answer quickly,” said Marcelino on Tuesday. “Any football man knows what this club means in this league. It is an exciting project.”