Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman ‘accused Riqui Puig of leaking information in front of the squad’

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has reportedly accused Riqui Puig of leaking information in yet another dramatic saga involving the turbulent Spanish giants.

Before the season got underway and following a summer of discontent, new Barca boss Koeman told Puig to look for a new club as he wasn’t going to get regular playing time.

As reported by El Pais, Koeman was livid that the news was subsequently made public and is claimed to have said ‘You’re a leak’ to Puig in front of the Barcelona dressing room.

Ronald Koeman accused youngster Riqui Puig of leaking information in front of the squad

Koeman was livid after he told Puig to find a new club before the information was then leaked

The talented young midfielder ended up staying at Barcelona but hasn’t been heavily involved, playing just three minutes in LaLiga in addition to three appearances in the Champions League.

Barcelona go into Sunday’s game at home to Levante in 10th place in LaLiga, with Koeman’s side having struggled for consistency this season.

Koeman is determined to eliminate harmful behaviours that he feels have infiltrated the Barcelona dressing room following a summer of turmoil – that nearly saw wantaway star Lionel Messi leave the club.

Puig has barely featured for Barcelona this season, making just four appearances in total

Shortly after he was appointed and amid the Messi transfer saga, Koeman sought to move the likes of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal on.

And following a difficult start to life at the Nou Camp for Koeman, proceedings haven’t gotten any easier following a dismal beginning to the campaign.

They already sit 12 points off the pace in LaLiga, having lost four times, while also conceding top spot in their Champions League group following a 3-0 home defeat to Juventus. 

And Antoine Griezmann was heavily critical of Barcelona’s performance in their 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League.

It has been a very turbulent start to the 2020-21 campaign for Lionel Messi and Co

Griezmann said: ‘We were not there in the first half,’ he said. ‘It was an attitude problem. We had no desire to run, no desire to work or attack. The image is very ugly. ‘ 

Barcelona will see the game against Levante as an opportunity to secure a much-needed return to winning ways. 

Koeman admitted that individual errors have been hugely detrimental for his side this season.

He said: ‘Individual mistakes have cost us points.’