Youth policy pays off

BarcabenefitedfromfreshlegsinwinoverDynamo,saysKoeman

BARCELONA coach Ronald Koeman was pleased to see his side play with a renewed sense of freshness in yesterday’s 4-0 win away to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League after heavily rotating his squad.

The Dutchman, who is under pressure due to Barca’s poor start to the domestic season, made eight changes from the team that were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid on Saturday and left all-time top scorer Lionel Messi back in Barcelona.

After a poor start, Barca got going in the second half to easily beat the Ukrainians with a goal from Sergino Dest, a double from Martin Braithwaite and a late strike from substitute Antoine Griezmann, clinching the Catalans’ place in the last 16.

“Some games turn out better than others but the biggest difference today was how fresh we looked,” Koeman told a news conference.

“We did the right thing in resting some players and giving an opportunity to others who were in a better physical shape. We were much better in midfield, we showed lots of hunger and pressed our opponents very well.”

Koeman praised the performance of debutant defender Oscar Mingueza who was called upon as three of his four centrebacks were injured, adding that the 21-year-old was likely to start again in Sunday’s La Liga game at home to Osasuna.

Konrad de la Fuente and Matheus Fernandes also made their first-team debuts after coming off the bench, while youngsters Dest, Pedri and

Francisco Trincao also impressed.

“He’s a young player who has spent many years with the club so he knows exactly how we want to play,” Koeman said of Mingueza.

“He needs to improve but he gave a good first impression which is important for us and for him.

“I think he can play regularly,” Koeman added. “He’s shown that today. But he has to work hard. He’s been training with us for five or six weeks and made a good impression.

“He did his job and showed that he can compete in that position.”

Koeman believes he is starting to mould Barcelona in his image, saying: “The image was good. The team put in a lot of energy. There was a lack of effectiveness in the first half, but we dominated the second half and we played well.”

Dest, who scored his first goal for the Catalan, told Spanish daily Marca: “I’m really happy to score my first goal.

“I think we needed a goal. It was an important one to score (to make it) 1-0 and hopefully many more are to come. I can’t wait until we play the next game.”

Dest’s fellow American De la Fuente added: “I’m thankful for everyone that helped me get here and I will continue to work hard and hopefully get more chances.

“I was really happy. I’ve worked hard since a very young age for this moment and I’m happy I got the chance.” – Reuters/Agencies