Koeman still believes Barca can fight for title
Ronald Koeman has not given up on Barcelona winning LaLiga as it faces a pivotal run of fixtures that could define its season, starting with Elche at home on Thursday (AEDT).
Barca sits fourth in the table after only managing a draw at home to Cadiz at the weekend, a surprise result that ended a streak of seven successive league wins.
However, with leader Atletico Madrid losing at home to Levante, meaning it has managed just one victory in its previous four outings, Koeman retains hope his team can make up ground and get involved in a title race.
Atleti have a three-point cushion over second-placed Real Madrid, which has played a game more than its neighbour, while Barcelona is eight points adrift.
In between the two Clasico rivals is Sevilla, to whom Koeman's side travel to play this weekend in league action. They it hosts the same opponent next Wednesday in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, Barca needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the previous meeting if they are to progress.
"I still believe that we can fight for the championship," Koeman said. "Results are showing that each team can come down.
"It will depend on the two games that come, which are very important to fight for the title.
"Then, in the cup, we have to come back. In the two competitions, we can do things. This week, we have three games that are important.
"It is difficult because we have to overcome a home game against Sevilla without an audience, with an audience it would be easier."
Barca had 20 attempts and 81 per cent of possession against Cadiz but were punished for their wastefulness when Clement Lenglet was ruled to have fouled Ruben Sobrino in the penalty area, allowing Alex Fernandez to convert for an 89th-minute equaliser for the visitors with their only shot on target.
While they have scored 50 goals in LaLiga this campaign – the most by any team in the competition – Koeman wants to see his players become more ruthless in attack.
"The problem is not that we do not create. It would be worse if we did not create opportunities," the Dutchman said when reflecting on Sunday's performance.
"We must ask for more effectiveness from the players at the top. We create opportunities and we did not score to make it 2-0.
"These are important moments and, this season, we lack effectiveness. The percentage of goals is low for a team like Barcelona."
Koeman confirmed that Ronald Araujo is not yet ready to return from injury, though the defender is "improving" and could feature in either of the upcoming games against Sevilla.
