Valverde not nervous about Messi penalties after spot-kick miss

Lionel Messi converted a penalty but saw his second spot-kick saved on Saturday, though Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is not worried.

Published : Feb 17, 2019 11:00 IST

Lionel Messi holds his head in disappointment after failing to score a penalty.
Lionel Messi holds his head in disappointment after failing to score a penalty.
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Lionel Messi holds his head in disappointment after failing to score a penalty.

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde is not worried about Lionel Messi taking penalties after the superstar scored one and failed to convert another against Real Valladolid.

It was a mixed evening for Messi at Camp Nou, where the Barca captain's 43rd-minute penalty led the La Liga leader to a 1-0 victory on Saturday .

Messi – who has scored 30 or more goals in each of his last 11 seasons in all competitions for Barca – should have had a second but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner saw his 85th-minute spot-kick kept out by Jordi Masip.

"No, no, I'm not particularly nervous. I was convinced he was going to score both," Valverde replied when asked if he was anxious about Messi taking penalties. "Leo is a safe bet. He could have scored more goals as well."

Barca was far from its best but the defending champion still managed to get past visitor Valladolid as it returned to winning ways.

READ | Valverde delighted by extra responsibility of new Barcelona contract

Three consecutive draws against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga, and Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, raised eyebrows and while Valverde acknowledged Barca's shortcomings on Saturday, he is confident his side will rediscover its best.

Barca travels to French side Lyon for the opening leg of its Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

"In the first half, we had very little fluidity in attack and did not move the ball with the necessary speed," Valverde told reporters.

"They changed their system and we were not fluent and could not circulate things quickly but their goalkeeper did well. Some games are won like that, though, and Tuesday [against Lyon] will be another challenge for us.

"I see the team as being ready to give their best now and get back to that. Sometimes you won't be brilliant in every game but there are four important matches coming up and we will go step by step."

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