Luis Suarez added to Barcelona’s anguish by scoring in Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory on Saturday, but Ronald Koeman says he has the club’s backing to stay on as coach. Barca president Joan Laporta had stated just hours before kickoff that Koeman would remain as coach “regardless of the result” at the Wanda Metropolitano, but another lacklustre performance will put that commitment to the test over the two-week international break. After the game, Koeman revealed that he spoke with Laporta on Friday night and Saturday morning.
He expressed his gratitude for the clarity he now has about his future, which he believes will benefit the squad.
“Clarity is very important, for the confidence of the coach, for the players too, for them to know the coach is still here,” said Koeman.
“He has made his decision, as he said this afternoon, so everything is perfect.”
Suarez, the goal scorer, clasped his hands together and looked up to the sky in a quiet celebration out of respect for his previous club, where he spent six years and scored 198 goals.
“(It was) out of respect, love, for the journey I had at Barca and for the period they’re in at the moment, for the fans as well,” said Suarez after the game.
But the Uruguayan also made a phone motion at Koeman, possibly alluding to the sudden manner in which Barca’s coach told him he was surplus to requirements at Camp Nou just over a year ago.
“That was for the people who think I’m still using the same number,” said Suarez with a smile.
Atletico Madrid had already taken the lead through Thomas Lemar, and with two goals down before half-time, Barcelona appeared vulnerable to another thrashing after losing 3-0 to Bayern Munich and Benfica in the Champions League.
They avoided further humiliation in the second half, and it remains to be seen if Laporta keeps his word and gives Koeman more time to turn things around.
As replacements, Xavi Hernandez, Roberto Martinez, and Andrea Pirlo are all being considered.
However, it’s probable Laporta has discovered none of them are interested, given Barcelona’s current position in the Champions League group stage and La Liga’s spending cap of 97 million euros, which is only the ninth highest in the division.
Barcelona is in ninth place, while Atletico Madrid is level on points with Real Madrid at the top of the table after their triumph.
They also needed this win following a dismal start to the season in which they had only won two of their previous five games.
Suarez may have grabbed the headlines, but it was his teammate Joao Felix who was the real star of the show in the first half, the teenager causing havoc and putting in one of his best performances in a long time.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone said: “When the first half was over, I went over to Joao and said: ‘This is what I need from you. This is what you have to do’.”
The Wanda Metropolitano was packed for the first time since March 2020, and the atmosphere fueled Atletico’s early momentum.
Felix’s brilliant touch set up the first goal, a wonderful shift away from Ronald Araujo on the left wing that opened up the entire pitch in an instant.
Felix crossed the ball inside to Suarez, who blasted a first-time cross to Lemar, who finished in the top corner.
Philippe Coutinho came close with a shot for Barcelona, and Frenkie de Jong came up just short after reaching for Memphis Depay’s cross.
On the break, however, Atletico were ripping Barca apart, and Suarez made it two minutes before halftime.
Depay fumbled the ball up front, and Suarez was in four passes later, Yannick Carrasco touching the ball to Lemar, who bounced it off Felix and blasted it right.
Suarez chose his place while Gerard Pique was back-pedaling onto the line.
Coutinho had an opportunity to equalise just before the hour, but Jan Oblak smothered the finish, and Coutinho was replaced by Ansu Fati after that.
Antoine Griezmann also came on for Atletico, making his first appearance since joining the club on loan from Barcelona on the final day of the transfer window.
On the break, he had a fantastic chance but misjudged his pass, with a switch to Angel Correa sent straight out of play.
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