Madrid: It seems as if the mini-crisis surrounding Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is over after the striker scored twice in his team's 3-1 win over AC Milan in the Champions League. Messi's goals and a further strike from Sergio Busquets on Wednesday earned an unbeaten Barca a place in the last 16 of the competition, reports Xinhua.
But after the game, Messi was the main topic of conversation for coach Tata Martino after the striker ended a four-game goal drought in emphatic style.
"He played a great game," said the coach, who Saturday had commented he was not worried by Messi's lack of goals. "He looked sharp, he took players on, he played one-twos and he was fast. He is one of the few players you don't have to worry about. He can change everything in three days and leave things as he has done today," said Martino.
"It was a game where we played better in the first half, but had fewer chances while in the second half we played worse but created more chances to score. I am not unhappy with either of the two halves. We had to take advantage of the spaces when our rivals began to open up a bit, but I don't like the feeling that our rivals can hurt us. I am happy we qualified, as it gives you a bit of calm to have done so after only four games. Now we have to try and win the group," said the Barca coach.
Martino has been in the spotlight himself over a perceived change in Barca's football with an increased emphasis on a more direct style.
"I think we have progressed, but we have not shown our best version. There will always be room for improvement. I accept any criticism, but I think we deserve a bit of respect. I would like everyone to be happy, but that isn't the case and we are working to make it happen," he said.
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