Koeman Makes A Crucial Confession After Barcelona's 1-0 Win Over Huesca

Ronald Koeman insisted FC Barcelona need to sign a target forward after the side managed to score only once from 20 attempted shots in their 1-0 win over Huesca in the La Liga on Sunday.

The game at the Estadio El Alcoraz saw the return of Lionel Messi, who was earlier sidelined because of an ankle injury. Koeman played the Barcelona skipper in the attack alongside Martin Braithwaite and Ousmane Dembele. The trio attempted a total of 15 shots before Frenkie de Jong scored the lone goal of the match, volleying Messi's chipped pass past the Huesca goalkeeper after 27 minutes.

While Koeman said Barcelona are missing a solid No. 9, he has made sure that his comment was not to question Antoine Griezmann's presence in the side as they "need all the players" right now as a lot of games are remaining in the 2020-21 campaign.

"I trust each player in our squad. But if we choose to have three midfielders there is room for three forwards. With Leo, we bet on someone with great depth like Dembele, and we have to choose between Martin or Antoine at the top and Martin has done it. It's a nine that we're missing in these games but it doesn't mean anything in regards to Antoine's substitution. We have a lot of games and we need all the players," added Koeman in a post-match interview.

"We have said several times, at the beginning of the season, that we need someone at the top to have more competition and more goals, more effectiveness, but this depends on many things," the Barcelona boss added.

Koeman also explained that an additional striker in the team will reduce the pressure on the defense that had waived off attacks from Huesca as the home side tried to net a late equalizer.

"The second half was not so brilliant. In the end, we suffer a little because they have tried to create and there have been crosses where we have defended well. If you don't close out the game earlier, you always suffer," admitted Koeman.

Barcelona are set to face off Athletic Club on Wednesday and Granada on Saturday in La Liga, while the Spanish giants also have Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Real Sociedad.

"This month is very important for our aspirations because we have many away games and if we win them I think we can fight. We have come out strong, very focused, and that is the main base we need. If we have those two things we will improve with the ball and if we can also improve in front of the goal we can have a very important and good year," added Koeman.