Barcelona manager Tata Martino has rejected claims that Lionel Messi and Neymar can not play together as his side come under pressure following a disappointing run of results.
Martino was speaking to the press ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League tie against Manchester City and discussed if the Brazilian is struggling to adapt to the tactics deployed by the Camp Nou club.
“I look from a tactical point of view after the injury and he has not had a chance to play with four players in midfield,” said Martino.
“He is trying to find his best and that’s not so easy. He needs to adapt to Barcelona and is coming off a rare injury in his career. It seems to me that the effects of his injury are the problem not tactically.”
When pressed on the issue of Messi and Neymar struggling to play alongside each other, Martino again listed injuries as the main reason.
The pair struggled against Real Valladolid at the weekend with the Brazilian being subbed off and the Barcelona manager believes the duo have been successful this season.
Martino said: “Messi and Neymar coincided off the pitch this year a bit for different reasons. Injury with one or the other.
“When they have played together they have had many good times except in the last game but that was many conditions, which I think is normal.
“It’s not always guaranteed that the best player in the world (Messi) along with one of the best (Neymar) will understand the best way within a game.”
