Martino: "Responsibility for the defeats falls squarely on me"

Barcelona manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino took the blame for the consecutive defeats which his team suffered against Ajax and Athletic Club. "Responsibility for the defeats falls squarely on me. The team lost its shape, especially after the goal at San Mamés", said Martino, who is concerned that his players have not managed to come back from two adverse scorelines: "When we let in a goal with only a few minutes to go, the team tends to give up hope".
The manager of the 'Azulgrana' outfit has admitted that "finding the top of their game and making it last for the majority of the 90 minutes" is the task that he is finding the hardest. However, he is looking for solutions to achieve this: "We're working tactically so that the team does not leave so many spaces between the lines".
As for the line-ups, Martino denied that he has fielded his teams based on the weight held by the players in the dressing room, but by taking into account the players who are displaying the best form. "I respect the veterans, but I'm playing the ones who should play", he assured. He also commented on the negativity of some of the Barça club members over the recent defeats. "There are two possibilities: the pessimism can either harm us or make us stronger. I want to see optimism on the pitch", he remarked.
Martino also warned of the importance of tomorrow's cup tie against Cartagena, even though it is against a Segunda B team and there is a second leg at the Camp Nou: "It's a massive game".