Barcelona boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino insists he is not worried about Lionel Messi's recent lack of goals and suggested his recent injury problems are to blame for his drought.
Messi has failed to score in his last four league games, the first time that has happened since August 2011, and netted just once in October, scoring the equaliser in Barca's 1-1 Champions League draw with Milan.
The Argentine, though, has been nursing a thigh injury in recent weeks and Martino believes Messi's dip in form is certainly down to him not being 100 per cent fit.
"Messi isn't troubled by this," Martino told the BBC following the Blaugrana's 1-0 Catalan derby win over Espanyol on Friday. "Injuries happen. To Messi, or anyone.
"It's a coincidence that Messi hasn't scored in three or four games, he's not desperate. He's set the bar so high that it seems when he doesn't score it's a problem."
Alexis Sanchez, who scored the winner over Espanyol, insists nothing has changed with the four time Ballon d'Or winner, adding that the whole team was relieved to come away with the points in a tough encounter at the Nou Camp.
"Leo is in the same form as always," the Chilean told AS.
"He hasn't been scoring goals but he has provided assists and taking on players. We think he's the same as always, playing very well.
"It was a very difficult game as it was tough and physical for us.
"All of Espanyol's players sat back behind the ball, but I go home happy with my goal. I was in the right place at the right time.
"We won and go home relaxed after getting three crucial points."
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