Messi pumped up for Bayern clash

Barcelona (ACN).- Leo Messi spoke to a packed press room this Tuesday morning ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bayern and explained: “I’m really motivated by this game, for what it means and because we face a great team”. It’s a team managed by Pep Guardiola of course, which gives an added edge, as does the memory of defeat to the Germans at this same stage two seasons ago, but Messi insisted: “it’s been a while since that game now and we are coming into it in a different situation  - this will be a different tie. There can’t be a favourite at this stage of the competition, we are both two big teams. There’s pressure, but we are both obliged to win”.

The Catalan team come into the business end of the season in great form, and Messi admitted: “we are feeling good about things, but we’re taking things one game at a time, there’s not long to go till the end of the season and we have some massive games coming up, but we are relaxed about it, we’re playing well and at a good level physically”.

Below are some other areas Messi touched on:

This season’s form

“It was a difficult season for me last year, for everything that happened on and off the pitch. I was injured and I didn’t get back up to top speed as I’d wanted. This year is completely different and I feel really good”.

 “I consider myself just another player in the team. We all want the same success and we are all equal”.

Relationship with Suárez and Neymar

“Players like Neymar and Luis, world class players, make things so much easier. We have a good relationship on and off the pitch and everything is going really well”.

Guardiola’s return

“I had a very good relationship with him. He was with us for a long time and he knows us all – he’s studied everything about us”.

It’s normal that the fans will give him a warm welcome, but once the game starts, that’s over!”

Comparing Pep and Luis Enrique

“Every coach has their own ideas, their own way of doing things. Changes are normal, but both of them try and be as close as possible to the players and create a group feeling”.