Messi compares Pep to Enrique: "We're more aggressive now"
In an interview with The Sun, Barcelona star Lionel Messi talks about life at Camp Nou under Pep Guardiola and facing his old coach again at Manchester City on Tuesday.
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An exclusive interview with Barcelona star Lionel Messi was published by The Sun on Monday in which the Barcelona star talks about life at the Camp Nou, including his relationship with Neymar, as well as his friendship with Argentina teammate, Segrio Aguero, who will be his rival in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
However, arguably the most revealing excerpt of the interview is Messi’s comparison of Barcelona under current boss Luis Enqriue to Pep Guardiola’s time as manager at the club, in which he says the Catalan side is now more “aggressive”.
No "massive" changes under Enrique
“In reality, the system of Barcelona is something that everyone knows,” said Messi. “I can say we are one of the few clubs that have it, but each boss has different things and applies them as he sees fit.
“We have not noticed massive changes but, yes, some — in that with Luis maybe now we are a bit more aggressive when we attack at speed, whilst with Pep we used counter-attacks less.”
Messi though reserved particular praise for Guardiola, under who Barcelona won 14 out of 19 trophies contested in four seasons.
The Perfect Match
“There are several games when the team played in such a way that it was almost impossible for the opponents to do any damage to us, said Messi. “And it almost always happened in big matches. The final of the Champions League in Rome was one of those games when the team played the perfect match.”
Messi also spoke highly about Guardiola’s new side and Barcelona’s Champions League opponents on Tuesday night, Manchester City.
“City are a great team. They have always been a great team each year we have faced them but now, by having Pep, they will grow more through his work.”
City warning
However Messi warned that on-form Barca, who beat City 4-0 at Camp Nou earlier in October, are coming to Manchester aiming to win — despite the absence of the injured Andres Iniesta.
“Missing Andres is something you always notice as far as I can tell — for how he is as a player and what he creates on the field of play. But we are in good shape and we are coming very confident.”