Messi: Barca will win again

Messi: Barca will win again

 

Lionel Messi is confident Barcelona can bounce back against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday after the La Liga leaders' recent losing run.

Barca's surprise UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg defeat to AC Milan two weeks ago raised a few eyebrows among those accustomed to their dominance.

But the footballing world really sat up and took notice last

week after the 2-0 loss at the San Siro was followed up by back-to-back defeats to El Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

Much like the Blaugrana's slump in form, Messi has been below-par, but he insists the weekend's Primera Division clash at Camp Nou presents the perfect chance for the Catalans to turnaround their fortunes.

"We obviously need to give a little bit more. We have been losing recently but we know what we have to do to change things," he told the club's official website.

"Losing hurts. We'll try to get over this situation. There's a very important match (against Milan) on the way.

"We know what the problems were in the games we lost. We talk about these things in the dressing room, and that's where they'll stay."

Messi also highlighted the absence of Barca coach Tito Vilanova, who is still receiving treatment for cancer, as well as defender Eric Abidal's recovery from a liver transplant, as a significant influence on the entire squad.

"It affected us a lot and I think it has had its toll on the way we've performed in competitions," he added.

"But we're a tough squad and we can't go using that as an excuse. Every time a new year starts, my target is to win everything. That's my motivation. To win it all again.

"I belong to a squad in which everyone wants the same thing."

Football411