Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has admitted that his side need to improve defensively ahead of their Champions League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.
The Spanish champions have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five league games, conceding eight goals in that time to contribute to a poor run of form which has seen them drop seven points from the last nine available.
Messi was rested from the start for the weekend draw with Athletic Bilbao - despite Barca having drawn with Girona and lost to Leganes earlier in the week - but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner insists that his side are not at panic stations just yet.
"There is no anxiety. This is just the beginning of the season," Messi told reporters.
"We only feel anger for the last two results. We did a good first half in Leganes and we lost. We create situations to win. We are aware that we have to be stronger in defence and not concede goals in all matches."
Barcelona still sit top of the La Liga table despite their recent form, and began their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.
Barney Corkhill
