Lionel Messi admits defeat to Liverpool is still in his head as Barcelona continue to feel the reverberations of their Champions League humiliation.
The Spanish giants were on the receiving end of one of the greatest comebacks in the competition's history when they saw a 3-0 semi-final first leg lead overturned on a remarkable evening at Anfield.
Divock Origi and substitute Gini Wijnaldum both scored twice as Jurgen Klopp's side earned a 4-0 win earlier this month to book their place in the final against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid on June 1.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are preparing for the Copa del Rey final against Valencia on Saturday evening.
And speaking ahead of the match on Friday afternoon, Messi revealed how much that defeat to Liverpool continues to hurt.
"It was a really big blow which we received at Anfield - me and all the dressing room felt it," said the Argentina international.
"It was tough to get back up, you saw that in the next game we had to play. It was a really tough blow. Now have the chance to win a double and end the season on a high note.
"I haven't seen much of the criticism of the manager, and sincerely I think (Ernesto) Valverde has done an impressive job all the time he's been here. In the game against Liverpool he was hardly to blame for anything. We as the players are to blame."
Messi is poised to be confirmed this weekend as the winner of the European Golden Shoe for having scored the most top-flight goals across Europe.
But he added: "Honestly I am not even thinking about the European Golden Shoe. Not in my head at all.
"What happened at Liverpool is in my head, like I said it was a big blow and I am not thinking about personal things, just getting to this Copa final and winning another trophy."
No comments:
Post a Comment