Barca's Koeman Has No Issue with Players' Commitment

Pressure is mounting on Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman after Thursday's goalless draw with Cadiz. (AFP)
Pressure is mounting on Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman after Thursday's goalless draw with Cadiz. (AFP)
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Barca's Koeman Has No Issue with Players' Commitment

Pressure is mounting on Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman after Thursday's goalless draw with Cadiz. (AFP)
Pressure is mounting on Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman after Thursday's goalless draw with Cadiz. (AFP)

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman had no complaints about the attitude and commitment of his team after Thursday's 0-0 draw with Cadiz and instead lamented the raft of injuries that robbed him of several first-choice players.

The goalless draw left Barca seventh in La Liga on nine points from five games, already seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, and heaped more pressure on Koeman, who was dismissed in the dying seconds of the game for dissent..

Barcelona President Joan Laporta had backed Koeman as manager before the match but also said he had to start producing better football and that the board would not shirk tough decisions if they needed to be made.

While disappointed that Barca had failed to pick up all three points for a second successive match, Koeman said it was more important to look at how the team had played overall.

"It's not always down to a result. We have to analyze what the team did, the attitude of the team, the commitment of the team and I can't complain about any of that from this game," the Dutchman told reporters.

"I'm not happy, of course, because we had four or five clear chances and we didn't score any goals," he said, adding that the sending off of Frenkie de Jong made it even more difficult.

"What I take away is the attitude, not my own personal situation. Because if we win it looks like we carry on, and if not we look for another coach - and that's a question for you."

Koeman said the absence of a number of first team players had contributed to their lackluster display. Barca, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home against lowly Granada on Monday, were missing Jordi Alba, Sergio Aguero and Pedri among others.

"I have said several times you always have to try and win every game," Koeman added.

"But you have to be realistic, look at the squad we have and the players missing ... we've got seven starters out."



Salah Among Nominees for PFA Player of the Year Award 

Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)
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Salah Among Nominees for PFA Player of the Year Award 

Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was among six players nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Men's Player of the Year award on Friday.

The 33-year-old played a key role in Liverpool's Premier League title triumph last season with 29 goals and 18 assists.

The Egypt star was voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association, securing almost 90 percent of the votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century, and is the firm favorite to land the PFA prize.

Salah is joined on the shortlist by Liverpool team-mate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal's Declan Rice, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Palmer, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2023-24, was a surprise choice for the list given his struggles for Chelsea last season.

Rice starred in midfield for Arsenal, hitting a career-high nine goals while adding 10 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions.

Sweden striker Isak scored 23 goals for Newcastle as they qualified for the Champions League and ended a 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup.

Fernandes was one of United's few bright spots in the club's worst top-flight campaign since 1973-74, with eight league goals and 10 assists.

This year's awards ceremony will be held in Manchester on August 19.