Ronald Koeman doesn’t see Barcelona as the main favorite to win the Champions League this season. The head coach of the Dutch national team tempered the excitement following Barcelona’s convincing win over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals. He drew a comparison with the Dutch national team.
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After Barcelona comfortably swept aside Borussia Dortmund with a dominant 4-0 victory in the Champions League quarter-final, many fans and pundits were quick to elevate the Catalan club to the status of tournament favorite.
The performance was indeed impressivea commanding display of possession, pressing, and clinical finishing that left little room for Dortmund to breathe. But not everyone is buying into the hype just yet. Among the skeptics is Ronald Koeman, current head coach of the Dutch national team and a former Barcelona player and manager, who spoke candidly during a media appearance at his own golf and padel tournament.
When asked if he now considers Barcelona the top contender for Champions League glory, Koeman was honest and realistic in his assessment.
"Barcelona is not, in my opinion, the big favorite for the Champions League," he stated. "There are teams that are at the same level. I can see Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal winning the tournament as well. Barcelona is certainly in that group, but we shouldn't forget that Dortmund is no longer a European powerhouse. They’re currently eighth in the Bundesliga and still managed to create five clear chances against Barcelona. We shouldn’t rush to conclusions."
Koeman’s response served as a reminder that knockout football is unpredictable and often shaped more by form and momentum than by reputation. He pointed out that while Barcelona were excellent against Dortmund, a single dominant performance does not guarantee continued success, especially with the quality of opposition remaining in the competition.
The former Barça defender went on to draw parallels with his own experience coaching the Netherlands national team. “It’s just like with Oranje,” he explained. “After the Euros, it felt like we were playing poorly and couldn’t do anything right. And now, after the great matches against Spain, suddenly people think we can win the World Cup. I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.”
Koeman's message was clear: public perception often swings too far in one direction, either with excessive criticism or overly optimistic praise. The reality, he suggests, is more balanced both for the Dutch national team and for clubs like Barcelona.
Despite his cautious tone, Koeman was full of praise for Hansi Flick, who took over as Barcelona's manager earlier in the season. "He’s leading the team in the best possible way," Koeman said. "I see things very positively, so I definitely believe we can win major trophies again."
He highlighted the tactical maturity and man-management skills Flick has brought to the squad, and the improved chemistry among the players. “This coach is smart. He manages the players well, and you can see there’s a great atmosphere in the squad. Now it’s time to make use of that potential and go win important titles."
Still, Koeman acknowledged the depth of the remaining competition. "The competition is fierce. I’ve really enjoyed watching PSG, who also work very hard without the ball. Their balance between attack and defense has improved, and Luis Enrique has found a strong rhythm with them."
He also warned against underestimating Real Madrid, a team known for their resilience in Europe. “If there’s one team that can turn a result around, it’s Real Madrid,” Koeman said. “But they’ll have to step it up, because Arsenal were clearly superior. Mikel Arteta is simply clever and knows exactly what he’s doing. They were tactically spot-on, especially in midfield.”
Despite the praise for other clubs, Koeman made it clear that his heart still belongs to Barça. “But I’ve also enjoyed watching Barcelona it still feels like home to me,” he added, reinforcing his deep connection to the club where he made history as both a player and coach.
Toward the end of the media event, Koeman, once one of the best free-kick takers in the world, was asked about Declan Rice’s spectacular double strike including a free-kick against Real Madrid. With a smile, Koeman lit up at the mention of a set-piece goal. “I was really happy about that,” he said. “Not because he scored against Real Madrid, but because we’re finally seeing a specialist emerge again.”
He couldn’t resist reflecting on his own legacy: “I scored two free-kicks against Real Madrid two years in a row, and I hope that more players will follow. Free-kicks are a beautiful art form that’s been missing in modern football for too long.”
As Barcelona prepares for their semi-final clash, Koeman’s balanced take offers a needed counterweight to the growing euphoria. The performance against Dortmund was a statement but whether it was a one-off or the beginning of something greater remains to be seen.
Updated: 03:31, 10 Apr 2025
