BARCELONA boss Quique Setien reportedly held showdown talks with Lionel Messi to clear the air ahead of the club’s Champions League bid.
The Spanish giants have been in poor form since the season restart, throwing away a two-point lead to hand Real Madrid LaLiga.
Barcelona boss Quique Setien held clear the air talks with Lionel MessiCredit: Reuters
Messi called Barca’s play of late “weak and erratic” after the meek defeat against Osasuna saw them forfeit their crown.
But the Catalans finished the Spanish season in style with a 5-0 win over Alaves on Sunday.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the dramatic uplift in performance was motivated by a showdown meeting Setien had with Messi.
The Nou Camp chief met with his captain for an hour face-to-face on Saturday where they each presented their point of view.
The report added that Setien and Messi agreed to “leave their reluctance” aside to rescue their Champions League dream.
“We are all excited about the Champions League. It is true that we have spoken and it has served us well, because some things have been cleaned up.
Barcelona boss Quique Setien
Barcelona remain favourites to progress to the quarter-finals when they host Napoli next month having netted a vital away goal in the 1-1 draw back in February.
Yet pressure has been mounting on Setien’s position after the league was settled with a game to spare and rumours swirling around unrest in the dressing room.
Despite the speculation, the 61-year-old stressed he gets along well enough with Messi to work together.
He said: “It is the same as with everyone, more or less.
“There are players who are more open and have more of a relationship, but the relationship is good.”
Messi revealed after the Alaves win that there had been soul-searching talks among the squad since the loss to Osasuna.
And Setien added: “It is true, that we have had a deep reflection on the situation.
“We are all excited about the Champions League. It is true that we have spoken and it has served us well, because some things have been cleaned up.
“It is something that has been backed up with this game and with this result, which will allow us to face the future with more confidence and in a different state of mind.”
Lionel Messi tells Sergio Aguero off live on Twitch as he tells Man City star to ‘stop messing around and go see physio’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
