BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has defended Lionel Messi from criticism for his erratic play during three consecutive losses, while acknowledging he wasn’t “satisfied” with his own coaching performance.
In the past two weeks, Barcelona has been eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, lost the Copa del Rey final to rival Real Madrid, and fallen behind in third place in the league.
Martino dismissed media speculation that Messi’s mini-dip in form might lead to his departure at the end of the season.
“That people are talking about Messi’s future surprises us, I don’t take those comments seriously,” Martino said Saturday. “A football player, when he finds himself in these types of circumstances, focuses on the game. Sometimes they can play better or worse, but since it is (Messi) everything is overblown. His future must be in Barcelona until he stops playing.”
Martino is approaching the end of a tumultuous first year of a two-year contract. It is widely expected that he will be fired this summer, unless Barcelona can pull off an unlikely recovery to overtake league leader Atletico and Madrid.
Martino accepted his responsibility for the team’s sudden decline, which will likely leave the Catalans without a major trophy for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
“I am not satisfied with my job done,” the Argentine said. (AP)