Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino insists he is not worried
that star player Lionel Messi is less prolific in front of goal of
late, saying the Argentinean contributes from all over the park.
Messi has not scored in a league match since coming back
from injury at the beginning of January, and despite his double over
Getafe in a Spanish Cup encounter, pressure is rising on the diminutive
attacker. Yet the Barca manager is not at all concerned, joking that his headline act would excel even as a goalkeeper.
"I’ve seen him play in all the positions in attack - one day he’ll play in goal and be great there too," Martino said at a press conference.
The reason for Messi’s lack of goals could perhaps be placed on the fact that Martino has played him in a deeper role on the pitch. Yet the Blaugrana tactician maintains the 26-year-old is effective in whatever position he plays.
"If he’s closer to the box, he’ll pull defenders around and if he’s deeper, he’ll give passes for goals,” said Martino. “That confuses our opponents.
"I really do not care that Messi isn’t scoring every match. Leo always produces match-changing moments.”
Martino emphasised the importance of the four-time Ballon d’Or winner to his team.
"He is capable of providing four assists in one game and on another day he could score a goal to eliminate a rival from a competition,” he said.
"He is an important player. I do not care if people are saying he has lost the scoring touch."
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