Messi calms Barcelona situation: "All we needed to do was talk things through"
The striker, who looks set to claim the Pichichi award, said, "We've said what needed to be said, we have been self-critical with ourselves, now we have to put it into practice".
Barcelona captain Leo Messi chatted to Movistar LaLiga after this evening's 0-5 win over Alavés in Vitoria. It's the second time in three days that he has attended the media after a game.
What was the general feeling with Barcelona's performance today?
We saw a different display today, it was a difficult game to play - for many reasons but the team responded in attitude and commitment. It's a step forward for us in terms of what's to come.
You said a lot of things have to change. Is today's response what you meant?
The main thing we did was to take a look at ourselves and be self-critical. We realised a lot of things. We haven't had a great season. Today we took a step forward in attitude and commitment - two things which we always have to have. We have to at least match our rivals, whoever they might be, in attitude - or show more than them.
Is that the message which a captain needs to get across to the players?
It's a key moment for us but there is no need for me to explain what we did today. We need to be much more consistent - as the coach said the other day.
Benzema is in action later tonight. You have the chance to collect your seventh pichichi, what would that mean to you?
I've always said that individual objectives are secondary. It could be an important achievement for what it means but I would have liked to have accompanied it with winning LaLiga
Do you think the atmosphere will calm down a little from now on?
That's what we need - peace, which hopefully we will get with this little break between competitions and as I said the other day, it'll give us the chance to clear our minds a little. We've said what needed to be said, we have been self-critical with ourselves. Nothing more needs to be said, now we just have to show it out there on the pitch.