Pjanic has given an exclusive interview to Marca. The 31-year-old is currently on international duty with his national side. He has spoken out in public for the first time since leaving Barcelona. The player joined Besiktas on loan until next June.
Pjanic about joining Besiktas
The player is motivated to play for Besiktas this season. He had a difficult season in 2020-21 for Barcelona.
“I’m very happy and motivated. I arrived in Sarajevo after being presented at Besiktas and everything went well. I couldn’t accept a situation like what I had last year. It was clear that I couldn’t do that. I’m a footballer who likes to play, and that’s what makes me happy.”
Pjanic on joining Barcelona
Pjanic says he was always a fan of Barcelona. He added that he always liked how Barcelona played. The player feels the club’s philosophy suits his style of play. The 31-year-old always wanted to play for Barca.
He was excited about joining Barcelona. The player wanted a new challenge after nine successful seasons in Italy.
However, the scenario in which he arrived at the club was not good at all. The club was hit hard economically due to the Covid-19. Barcelona had to sell some players as the economy was poor. The club was in a bad situation on the pitch too, losing 8-2 against Bayern in the Champions League. Despite this, Pjanic wanted to join the Spanish team to realize his dream.
About Koeman
The Bosnian had negative feelings towards the coach. He expressed his shock at how he was treated by the Dutch coach. The player felt he was disrespected by Koeman. He adds that Koeman never talked with him about any of the objectives or plans he had for the player and says that the silence of the coach killed his confidence.
“The coach is the one who says who plays and who doesn’t, but there are ways of doing things. I’m a player who can take anything, but I’d like to be told to my face and not as if I’m a 15-year-old. I knew that if the coach stayed I’d have to find a solution.”
The Bosnian says, he was always professional with his teammates and worked very hard at the club.
The player states that the experience with Koeman was the first time he had faced in his career.
The player was always an important and integral part of his previous two teams in Italy. On the contrary, Pjanic was alienated at the Catalan club. He was never given a chance to settle into the team.
Pjanic says he knew he had to change the scenario if the coach continued at the club. He had offers from Italy and France, but nothing materialized. Pjanic looked likely to stay at the club until Besiktas arrived with an offer.
On Barcelona future
He says he had tough luck with the coach. However, the player feels he still loves Barcelona. He explained that he decided to leave this season because he cannot sit on the bench another year. Meanwhile, Pjanic still has two more years left on his Barcelona contract. However, for now, the player is focused on Besiktas.
Pjanic played 30 games in all competitions for Barcelona and started the game 13 times. However, Pjanic did not appear in a single game for Barcelona between February and May.
