Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman was spiky with the press going into yesterday's victory over Levante.

Koeman was furious with media claims of the players complaining to him about his system and also his man-management.

"Last week an article appeared about the system, which the players wanted to play in a different way. That's not true, that's a lie," Koeman emphasised on Saturday, the day before the home game with Levante.

“I talk to my players every day and they haven't said anything about my system. Nor about what I should and should not say at my press conferences."

With this last comment, Koeman referred to the report that his open criticism of some players would have caused a bad working relationship.

“I always try to respect my players. But we have reached a level at Barcelona that it must be said when a mistake is made. I have not killed any player. When I say something about a player, I have already discussed it with him in advance."

He added: “Whether I feel the confidence of my players? Yes, otherwise I wouldn't be able to work here."