📣 Koeman on January transfers, fitness issues and Luis Suárez | OneFootball

Barcelona travel to Elche on Sunday afternoon looking to close the gap to Atlético Madrid at the top of LaLiga.

Ronald Koeman has been speaking ahead of the game, and here are the best bits from his press conference.

Squad decisions ahead of Elche

“We come from three games in which we’ve had extra time.

“This will be the seventh consecutive game away from home, and we need to get players back. We need freshness.

“Sergi Roberto will be able to be with us soon, but he needs a little more time.

“We have to prepare the game and line up a team with spark and a strong mentality.”

Transfers

“We lack players, but it all depends on the economic situation of the club.

“I don’t decide, I’ve been talking with them, but it all depends on the economic situation.”

Sergiño Dest

“Dest has played a lot of games but it’s his first season here, and he’s very young.

“He looks like he’s recovered, but we have to finish deciding on whether he plays as a starter against Elche or not.”

Luis Suárez

“He’s a great player, it’s the decision we have made with the club and that’s it.

“I wish him all the best. He scored a goal from the spot against Eibar, but you can doubt whether or not it actually was a penalty.”

Penalties

“We trained on penalties yesterday, and today.

“Our undisputed penalty taker is Messi, but if he’s not there we have to have someone else with quality.

“Something needs to be done.

“I know taking a penalty in training and during a game isn’t the same, but now there is no audience and the pressure is less.”