Frustrated Messi demands change
A frustrated Lionel Messi needed change after Barcelona handed the La Liga title to Real Madrid on Thursday, warning the team will eventually lose in the Champions League as well if they fail to improve.
Barca's title challenge ended with a whimper at Camp Nou, where these were beaten 2-1 by Osasuna while Madrid's 2-1 victory in the home to Villarreal ensured these were crowned Spanish champions.
Defeat increases the pressure on coach Quique Setien, who took over in January with Barcelona sitting top of the table. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said Setien will remain in charge for the Champions League next month, when Barca play their second leg in the home to Napoli, with the last-16 tie in the total amount at 1-1.
"The sensation of the team is that it tries but can't do it, that people leave too much to be desired in lots of areas now in the first half I believe they were much better than us," Messi said following the loss. "I said way back when that if we continued in this manner, it would be very difficult to win the Champions League and that is displayed to be the case in La Liga too.
"If we want to fight for the Champions League we will have to change a whole lot because otherwise the match against Napoli, we will lose that aswell."
Messi scored a brilliant free-kick against Osasuna nonetheless it had not been enough. Madrid pulled seven points clear of Barcelona before Sunday's final round of games.
"We didn't expect or want to complete like this nonetheless it almost sums up the whole year," said Messi. "We have been very inconsistent, very weak, beaten on intensity or desire.
"They created chances quickly and scored. Through the whole year we have been inconsistent and we've lost a lot of points where we shouldn't have. This game showed what this season has been about for all of us."
Messi has been critical of the board this year and suggested everyone at the club should take their share of the blame.
"Following the break Madrid have not lost any games and they deserve credit for that but we have also helped them a whole lot," said Messi.
"We lost a whole lot of games that people shouldn't have lost and we have to be self-critical, starting with the players, nonetheless it has to be a complete self-criticism from everyone because we are Barcelona and we are obliged to win the matches whatever happens and instead look at us."
If Barcelona come through against Napoli, they'll face Bayern Munich within the last eight, with a compressed format of single legs all the way through to the final.
"I think we desire a little air, this break will be best for us, to clear our heads, forget about everything which has happened," said Messi.
"It has been very bad from December as yet but it may be the Champions League and there are four games that can offer you a trophy that people all want. But we must change a lot and become very self-critical."
