Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has urged his side to
create the right "climate" to allow Lionel Messi to flourish at the
FIFA World Cup.
Messi has faced criticism in recent weeks after falling
well below his usual extraordinary performance levels for Barcelona, notably in
the UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat to La Liga leaders Atletico
Madrid and the 2-1 loss to rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.
The 26-year-old silenced the doubters to an extent after
his match-winning goal secured a come-from-behind victory over Athletic Bilbao
at Camp Nou on Sunday.
However, Barca still trail Atletico by four points with
four games remaining, and Messi has bared the brunt of the criticism aimed at
Gerardo Martino's men.
Sabella is unperturbed by those criticisms, however, and
is confident Messi can shine in front of the world audience when Brazil hosts
the World Cup later this year, providing his team-mates provide the right
assistance.
"Messi is fine but we must try to be the best
possible team to help him," Sabella said.
"We have to get the team to be more compact, occupy
the spaces.
"Messi has matured as a person, he has interior
peace, but we have to create a climate that will allow him to be happy, I think
we have to let him be calm."
Culled from Soccerway
0 comments:
Post a Comment