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Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 3, 2018 at 8pm UK
 
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Lionel Messi concerned by Barcelona's defensive record

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi admits that his side must improve defensively ahead of their Champions League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

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.

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Ernesto Valverde watches on during the Champions League group game between Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven on September 18, 2018
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Group A

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Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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