Messi: Barcelona cannot depend on one player

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Today was the day to talk to the media and Lionel Messi did after Barcelona’s draw against Athletic at Camp Nou.

The Argentine star passed through the mixed zone and admitted that defending is proving a problem: “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.”

Messi also wanted to say that Barça don’t depend on him. He was left on the bench against Athletic, coming on to set up the equaliser for Munir.

“We have the squad and the players to be a great team, to be a strong team and to not depend on anyone,” he added. “This 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.

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Finally, Messi called for patience: “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. “

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