A former Barcelona player and currently assistant coach at Osasuna, Jon Andoni Goikoetxea says that “in terms of chances and football Barça is the most attractive team in Spain and in Europe.”
Barça Atlètic’s away match at Osasuna reserves meant a chance to meet up with ex-Dream Team
player Jon Andoni Goikoetxea. Now assistant to ‘Cuco' Ziganda at Osasuna, he came along to
the club’s sports complex to say hello to former team-mates. “There are always guys you
know like Luis Enrique and Joan Barbarà,” he said. “It’s always nice to see Barça
and relive the old days.”
Praise for Barça
Before Saturday’s game between Osasuna B and Barça Atlètic, Goiko spoke to Barça
TV about the current first team. “In terms of chances and football Barça is the most
attractive team in Spain and in Europe,” he said.
He also thinks that the side has “great players from the midfield going forward such as
Xavi, Iniesta and Messi” which means they have a lot of options open to them.
Guardiola reads the game
In addition to knowing Barça well, Goiko can also talk about
Josep Guardiola with some authority after the time they shared as players at the club. “Pep
is gradually bringing in his ideas,” he says. “I reckon he has the ability and things
will go well because he’s a hard-worker and can read the game.”
Now a coach
When he hung up his boots Goiko began a career in coaching. He’s worked with
‘Cuco' Ziganda as assistant in Osasuna’s academy sides and now they are with the first
team. “I love it but I don’t half worry,” he admits. “Yet it’s still
worth it.”
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In touch with former team-mates
on Andoni Goikoetxea keeps in touch with his former team-mates at Barça such as Nadal, Amor,
Eusebio and Txiki. “When there’s an event on we try to get together,” he says.
“We keep in touch and we always find an excuse to meet up.” One of those events is
Barça Seniors games. “I like to play with the seniors when I can in the Indoor League”
he says, though his job at Osasuna means that sometimes he’s too busy.