Lionel Messi says Barcelona have to improve defensively after Athletic draw

Lionel Messi offered his thoughts after Saturday’s disappointing draw with Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou.

Ernesto Valverde’s side dropped points for the third game in a row and have now gone five La Liga games without keeping a clean sheet.

The captain knows they have a problem defensively and called on his side to tighten up at the back.

“We’re aware we have to be stronger in defence. We’re coming from a season when it was difficult to score against us and now it’s taking very little for [the opposition] to score. We have to improve and get stronger in defence, that’s the most important thing.”

”We have the squad and the players to be a great team, to be a strong team and to not depend on anyone.his is Barca. We have enough players to not depend on one. These results have been a shame, but we have to stay calm because it’s a long season.

“The results are a shame but the season’s just getting stared. We have to keep on going, looking forward, thinking about Wednesday, when we have another tough game in a difficult Champions League group. We have to improve in a lot of things, but we can stay calm because thing are just beginning.”

Source | Sport

Barcelona now have two tricky fixtures to negotiate before the international break where maybe they can take stock after what’s been a difficult few weeks.

First up is Tottenham in the Champions League, and then on Sunday they head to Mestalla to take on Valencia.