Martino unmoved as Messi goal drought continues

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino insisted that he believes Lionel Messi's goal drought is a coincidence after the Argentine failed to net for the fourth consecutive league game in Barca's 1-0 win over Espanyol on Friday.

It is the first time since April 2011 that Messi has gone four games without scoring in La Liga and he appeared on the fringes of the game throughout as Barca struggled to breakdown their city rivals at the Camp Nou.

"I continue to think the same about him," Martino said after the game

"It is difficult to do an individual analysis of a player in every single game, but Leo continues to be the most important player in a team replete with important figures.

"His manner of playing still offers us a huge amount and if the team continues to win you will see the best of our best players shortly."

Despite the victory that moves Barca, temporarily at least, four points clear of Atletico Madrid and nine ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, Messi cut a forlorn figure at the end of the match.

However, in between his goal drought in domestic competition, Messi did net in Barca's 1-1 draw away to Milan in the Champions League and Martino used that goal as his evidence that there is no problem with the four-time World Player of the Year.

"I don't think he is worried. It is a coincidence, in the same way that it is rare for a player to score at least a goal in every game of half a season (as Messi did last season), it is rare that he goes three or four games without scoring.

"For me it is three games because he scored in Milan. Today he assisted well, he had a chance with a header and a free-kick that went just past.

"Obviously I would be delighted if he does what he usually does and scores two or three goals every game, but when you set the bar so high and then don't score it seems like there is a problem. For me, from what I see of him, there is no problem."

An 11th win in 12 league games for Martino's men was achieved thanks to a 10th clean sheet in 17 games in all competitions this season.

And whilst the Argentine admitted that offensively his side were not at their best, he is happy with the improvement they have made at the back in recent weeks.

"Without doubt, along with the end of the game against Atletico Madrid, it was the worst match at home (since Martino's arrival).

"We needed pressure, dynamism, speed. We were finding the right players in the right areas, but we lacked the finesse and final pass.

"You could see that more in the first-half. When there are more spaces, like in the last 10 minutes, we created more chances.

"But to play 90 minutes and the opponent have just one or two chances is good. That is something we have improved on a lot since the first few weeks of the season."

Barca in crisis too jokes Martino

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has responded to criticism of his side's style of play by joking they are in crisis ahead of their Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday.

The Catalans are unbeaten in 17 games since Martino took charge and lead both La Liga and their Champions League group, two points ahead of Milan.

By contrast, the Italians are in the midst of a fully fledged crisis as they have made their worst start to a Serie A season since 1981-82 with five defeats in 11 games.

However, concerns have still been raised about Martino's intention to get Barca to play in a slightly more direct manner.

And when asked about the Italian's form, Martino took the opportunity to respond to some of the over the top criticism his side have received.

"We too are in crisis. In this way we are alike," he said.

"I don't know what a crisis is. I hear about it, but I don't know what it is. It is always possible to improve and we have a margin to do so."

Barca can seal their place in the last-16 with victory over the struggling seven-time European champions, but despite their current predicament, Martino insisted he would not be taking them lightly.

"I don't trust in historic clubs going through a crisis. If you don't have a good night, these teams can have their way with you.

"It is vital to achieve qualification with two games to play. That would allow us to relax."

One area of real concern for Barcelona has been the form of Lionel Messi as the four-time World Player of the Year has failed to score in his last four La Liga games for the first time in over two years.

However, Barca full-back Dani Alves is sure his teammate will be back amongst the goals in no time.

"Football is made up of phases, he helps the team and that is the most important thing. As for the rest, we will help him so that it comes as soon as possible.

"We don't need to worry, there are always crazy moments throughout the course of a season, it happens to us all. He just needs to keep working, not lose his confidence and the goals will come soon."

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has much bigger worries with rumours suggesting his job could be on the line should he fail to turn things around against Barca and in this weekend's league trip to Chievo.

However, he believes his side can take encouragement from the way they contained Barca in the 1-1 draw between the sides two weeks ago at the San Siro.

"Tomorrow will be the eighth time we have played against Barca in the last three years. It is a match that brings great difficulties because Barca continue to be the strongest team and we need to concentrate very hard." he said.

"We can leave with a positive result tomorrow but we need to play an excellent game. If we play as well in defence and, particularly in attack, as we did in the first game then we have a chance."

Martino knew Messi spark would return

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has said he never doubted that Lionel Messi would soon be back amongst the goals as the Argentine struck twice to put Barcelona into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over AC Milan.

Messi had failed to find the net for three consecutive games after scoring Barca's equaliser in the 1-1 draw between the sides in Italy two weeks ago.

But he ended his drought on Wednesday with a first-half penalty and then took his tally to six goals in just three Champions League appearances this season with a lovely dinked finish over Christian Abbiati seven minutes from time to seal the three points.

"I always saw him in the same way. Evidently, making comments about Leo when they are negative has its risks," said Martino.

"He played a phenomenal game. He had spark, speed, ability in one-on-ones, everything. He is one of the few players in the world that you have to be careful with when you see him in a bad light because he can turn everything around in three days and put in a performance like today."

Victory moved Barca onto 10 points after four games, five ahead of Milan with Ajax and Celtic one and two points further back respectively.

And with progress to the knockout stages assured, Martino wants to wrap up first place in the group when Barca visit Ajax in three weeks.

"To finish first is what we are looking for. Moreover, one begins to think, because there are no great surprises in the groups, that the favourites will be the group winners, but you never know who you might draw.

"What most interests us is finishing first to feel better in ourselves. More for our confidence than thinking about the future."

For Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri it was another disappointing evening as, after an awful start to their domestic campaign, the Italians slipped to their first European defeat of the season.

However, he congratulated his players for staying in the game until the final 10 minutes and is still confident of progressing along with the Spanish champions come the end of the group.

"The team played a lot better in the second half and we had various opportunities to equalise if we had been a bit better with the final pass," he admitted.

"I have to congratulate the players because it is never easy to play against Barcelona and it hasn't harmed our chances in the Champions League."

A huge part of the reason for Milan's turnaround after the break had to do with the introduction of Mario Balotelli from the bench after he had been surprisingly left out of Allegri's starting line-up in favour of Robinho.

However, Allegri defended the decision by highlighting Balotelli's lack of form and fitness so far this season.

"Mario is coming from a season in which he hasn't played very well. He has had injuries and hasn't played that many games. In the first game Robinho played very well but tonight he played less well technically.

"Balotelli is a very important player for us, but he also made a few errors in the final pass. He still has a lot to learn and we expect a lot more from him.

Martino bringing back Barca intensity - Xavi

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez believes his side will rekindle their intensity and pressing under the tutelage of new manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.

The Argentine was appointed less than four weeks before Barca kick off the defence of their league title against Levante on Sunday, after Tito Vilanova had to resign due to on-going health problems.

However, Xavi believes the squad are adjusting well to Martino's methods and has backed the new coach to be a success despite his lack of managerial experience in Europe.

"He is a leader, capable, prepared and has experience," the 33-year-old told Barcelona sports daily Sport.

"He is transmitting a lot to us. We are recovering a little of the intensity and rhythm that perhaps we lost for various reasons towards the end of last season. We are pressing very well and working well physically.

"He is adding things that he is influencing a lot. For example, on set-pieces we are working differently. We are adjusting and he is a guy that is very clear about what he wants."

Martino's insistence on pressing high up the field was very evident in his only game at the Camp Nou so far as Barca destroyed Santos 8-0 in a friendly that formed part of the deal to bring Neymar to the Spanish champions.

The Brazilian international will also make his competitive Barcelona debut against Levante, but World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is a doubt as he continues to recover from the quadriceps injury that forced him to miss Argentina's friendly with Italy on Wednesday.

Captain Carles Puyol will definitely be absent for the Catalans after he underwent knee surgery to remove a cyst last month, but Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez should be fit to play despite missing Spain's friendly with Ecuador in midweek due to minor injuries.

Real Madrid also get their league campaign underway on Sunday with a new man in charge as Carlo Ancelotti makes his bow at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real Betis are the visitors.

Los Blancos have enjoyed a superb pre-season that encompassed victories over Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Inter Milan and Ancelotti will have a wealth of midfield options to choose from following the capture of Isco and Asier Illarramendi from Malaga and Real Sociedad respectively.

Arguably the most enticing fixture of the opening weekend though comes at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan where a new-look Sevilla side host Atletico Madrid.

Atletico enjoyed a fantastic campaign last season as they finished third and won the Copa del Rey. As a result they will face Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup next week and have Champions League football to look forward to.

However, coach Diego Simeone has insisted it is important that his team maintain the consistency they showed in the league last season, starting on Sunday.

"We need to continue in the same way, looking for the consistency we had last season. Therefore, we can't look beyond the present and that is Sevilla," he told the club's website.

"We need to start again at zero and not get away from going game by game. We have had a good pre-season, especially physically, and we have been competitive."

New signings David Villa and Leo Baptistao are likely to be involved for Atleti as they try to compensate for the loss of Radamel Falcao, who joined Monaco back in June.

However, the transfer activity at Atleti hasn't compared to that at Sevilla and coach Unai Emery could hand debuts to as many as 10 new recruits as the Andalusians have rebuilt following the departures of Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Gary Medel.

Opening fixtures

Saturday

Real Sociedad v Getafe (1700 GMT), Valladolid v Athletic Bilbao (1900 GMT), Valencia v Malaga (2100 GMT)

Sunday

Barcelona v Levante (1700 GMT), Real Madrid v Real Betis, Osasuna v Granada (both 1900 GMT), Sevilla v Atletico Madrid (2100 GMT)

Monday

Rayo Vallecano v Elche (1800 GMT), Celta Vigo v Espanyol, Almeria v Villarreal (2000 GMT)

Martino bringing back Barca intensity - Xavi

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez believes his side will rekindle their intensity and pressing under the tutelage of new manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.

The Argentine was appointed less than four weeks before Barca kick off the defence of their league title against Levante on Sunday, after Tito Vilanova had to resign due to on-going health problems.

However, Xavi believes the squad are adjusting well to Martino's methods and has backed the new coach to be a success despite his lack of managerial experience in Europe.

"He is a leader, capable, prepared and has experience," the 33-year-old told Barcelona sports daily Sport.

"He is transmitting a lot to us. We are recovering a little of the intensity and rhythm that perhaps we lost for various reasons towards the end of last season. We are pressing very well and working well physically.

"He is adding things that he is influencing a lot. For example, on set-pieces we are working differently. We are adjusting and he is a guy that is very clear about what he wants."

Martino's insistence on pressing high up the field was very evident in his only game at the Camp Nou so far as Barca destroyed Santos 8-0 in a friendly that formed part of the deal to bring Neymar to the Spanish champions.

The Brazilian international will also make his competitive Barcelona debut against Levante, but World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is a doubt as he continues to recover from the quadriceps injury that forced him to miss Argentina's friendly with Italy on Wednesday.

Captain Carles Puyol will definitely be absent for the Catalans after he underwent knee surgery to remove a cyst last month, but Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez should be fit to play despite missing Spain's friendly with Ecuador in midweek due to minor injuries.

Real Madrid also get their league campaign underway on Sunday with a new man in charge as Carlo Ancelotti makes his bow at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real Betis are the visitors.

Los Blancos have enjoyed a superb pre-season that encompassed victories over Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Inter Milan and Ancelotti will have a wealth of midfield options to choose from following the capture of Isco and Asier Illarramendi from Malaga and Real Sociedad respectively.

Arguably the most enticing fixture of the opening weekend though comes at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan where a new-look Sevilla side host Atletico Madrid.

Atletico enjoyed a fantastic campaign last season as they finished third and won the Copa del Rey. As a result they will face Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup next week and have Champions League football to look forward to.

However, coach Diego Simeone has insisted it is important that his team maintain the consistency they showed in the league last season, starting on Sunday.

"We need to continue in the same way, looking for the consistency we had last season. Therefore, we can't look beyond the present and that is Sevilla," he told the club's website.

"We need to start again at zero and not get away from going game by game. We have had a good pre-season, especially physically, and we have been competitive."

New signings David Villa and Leo Baptistao are likely to be involved for Atleti as they try to compensate for the loss of Radamel Falcao, who joined Monaco back in June.

However, the transfer activity at Atleti hasn't compared to that at Sevilla and coach Unai Emery could hand debuts to as many as 10 new recruits as the Andalusians have rebuilt following the departures of Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Gary Medel.

Opening fixtures

Saturday

Real Sociedad v Getafe (1700 GMT), Valladolid v Athletic Bilbao (1900 GMT), Valencia v Malaga (2100 GMT)

Sunday

Barcelona v Levante (1700 GMT), Real Madrid v Real Betis, Osasuna v Granada (both 1900 GMT), Sevilla v Atletico Madrid (2100 GMT)

Monday

Rayo Vallecano v Elche (1800 GMT), Celta Vigo v Espanyol, Almeria v Villarreal (2000 GMT)

Martino - Fabregas staying at Barca

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says he is no longer worried about the possibility of Cesc Fabregas leaving the club to join Manchester United.

Three days ago the Catalan club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said he thought David Moyes' side's pursuit of the midfielder was over, after they had two bids turned down.

Zubizarreta's prediction would appear to be vindicated in light of reports that United have turned their attention to signing Marouane Fellaini from Everton instead.

Fabregas started in Barcelona's 7-1 win over Thailand on Wednesday and after the game Martino insisted he was not concerned about the player's future, concerning himself more with the fitness of club captain Carles Puyol, who is still recovering from a knee operation.

"Fabregas is still our player and he will be with us for this season," the Argentinian coach is quoted as telling AS.

"Right now I'm more worried about whether Puyol will recover."

The declining physical state of the 35-year-old Catalan defender has made buying a centre-back one of Barcelona's priorities this summer.

However, with 10 days to go until the new season starts, the Primera Division champions have only made one signing - Brazil forward Neymar.

The club have now reportedly made a £35 million bid for Chelsea centre-back David Luiz, but Martino refused to shed any light on a possible move for the Brazilian.

"I'm in Thailand, I know nothing about any negotiations," he said.

Martino agrees Barca deal

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona have reached an agreement for Argentinian Gerardo Martino to become their new coach.

The 50-year-old, who led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season but recently severed ties with the club, has agreed a two-year contract at Barca where he will replace Tito Vilanova.

Barca announced on Friday night that the 44-year-old Vilanova was stepping down as he continues his battle with cancer.

Fabregas future on Martino agenda

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

The future of Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas will be among the priority issues for new Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino.

Barcelona confirmed they have struck an agreement for Martino to take over at the Nou Camp on a two-year deal.

The 50-year-old Argentinian succeeds Tito Vilanova, who stepped down from the role on Friday after one season in charge as he continues his battle with cancer.

It is not yet known when Martino will begin work at the Nou Camp, but it seems likely the transfer saga surrounding Fabregas will still be rumbling on with United reluctant to throw in the towel.

United have already made two bids for the former Arsenal captain but, with Barcelona continuing to insist the Spain midfielder is not for sale, the Red Devils could return with a third offer.

Fabregas was not on the agenda as Martino held a press conference in Rosario where he admitted Barcelona's interest had come out of the blue.

The former Paraguay coach also believes fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi had a say in his appointment.

Both Martino and Messi are from the Rosario region of Argentina and the four-time Ballon d'Or winner has spoken in glowing terms about his compatriot in the past.

Martino suspects Messi put in a good word for him with the Barcelona hierarchy.

"I don't know the details of the situation, (but) I have no doubts that Messi spoke with the club directors. I'm sure that Jorge (Messi's father) and Leo have had some weight in this decision,'' said Martino, who is looking forward to working with the world's top player.

Messi denies involvement in Martino becoming Barca boss

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Lionel Messi insists he had nothing to do with the appointment of Gerardo Martino as Barcelona coach.

Martino said in a press conference on Tuesday night that he was sure fellow Argentinian Messi and his father Jorge had put in a good word for him with the Barcelona hierarchy before the Catalan giants offered him the job.

Both Messi and Martino are from Rosario and Messi has in the past spoken in glowing terms of his compatriot.

However, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner has said he had no influence in Barca's decision.

"I have nothing to do with Martino's signing nor do I have to give any explanations. It was down to president (Sandro) Rosell and the club. I said before that he seemed a good coach, but I don't have to explain anything," he was quoted as saying by AS following Barca's friendly defeat to Bayern Munich.

"I don't know him personally, I've never met him. Not him nor Luis Enrique, the other one they've been talking about.

"I think he's a good signing, he showed at Newell's and with Paraguay what he's capable of. Hopefully he'll be good for us."

Martino, who led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season and guided Paraguay to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup and final of the 2011 Copa America, has agreed a two-year contract with Barca and will be presented on Friday lunchtime.

The 50-year-old replaces Tito Vilanova, who stepped down from the post last Friday as he continues his battle with cancer.

Martino emerges as Barcelona favourite

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Gerardo Martino has emerged as the likely replacement for Tito Vilanova as Barcelona coach.

According to widespread media reports in Spain, the Argentinian is set to be confirmed as the next Barca boss on a three-year contract following talks on Monday.

The 50-year-old led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season but recently severed ties with the club.

Barcelona have made no official announcement.

The Spanish champions are searching for a new coach after announcing on Friday night that Vilanova was stepping down from the post as he continues his battle with cancer.

The 44-year-old, who led Barca to the Primera Division title in his only season in charge after replacing Pep Guardiola last summer, had a tumour removed from his throat in late 2011, but suffered a relapse a year after.

He underwent another operation on his parotid gland in December before beginning a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.

Martino set to take over at Barca - reports

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Former Newell's Old Boys and Paraguay national team manager Gerardo Martino is set to become the new Barcelona coach, numerous sources in the Spanish media reported on Monday.

It is expected that the Argentine will arrive in Barcelona on Tuesday to sign a three-year deal with the Catalans, who have moved quickly to replace Tito Vilanova after he was forced to resign on Friday due to on-going ill health.

Martino, who hails from Rosario, the same city where Barca star Lionel Messi grew up, recently left Newell's despite leading them to the Argentine Clausura title and to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.

Previous to taking over at the Argentine club, the bulk of Martino's managerial experience had been in Paraguay, where he won four domestic championships with Libertad and Cerro Porteno before going on to lead the national side to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2010 and the Copa America final a year later.

Indeed the 50-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to Real Sociedad earlier last month before deciding to stay on to manage Newell's until the end of their Libertadores campaign.

And it now looks as if he will land a significantly bigger job as the unfortunate timing of Vilanova's departure less than a month before the start of the season left the Spanish champions with few other options.