Champions League: Messi & Co Must Learn To Manage Better, Says Boss After Barcelona Escape Loss Vs Slavia Prague

FC Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde said the side must learn to manage better after struggling to a 2-1 win over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

With Lionel Messi netting a goal at the third minute after the whistle, Barca looked comfortable but eventually, they struggled to course through the Czech champions. Barca's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was kept busy in the visitors' goal and referring to that, Valverde admitted that he was not one bit surprised with the way Prague had performed.

"That was exactly the Slavia performance we expected. When we lost the ball they threw people forward and by the end, they took so many risks it was like defending against an avalanche of attacks. Games like this we have to learn how to manage better. We had better, clearer chances but we lacked the cold-blooded calmness in their half which could have sealed the result," the Spaniard told UEFA.

Barca eventually won through an own goal and went at the top of their group. However, their performance on Wednesday at the Sinobo Stadium showed concerns for the Spanish champions in away fixtures, especially in Europe.

While it was not an up-to-the-mark performance from Barca, their skipper - Messi - had yet another record-breaking day at the office. With his goal against Prague, Messi became the first player in Champions League history to score in 15 consecutive editions of the tournament.

The Argentine great even equaled the record set by his nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid legend, Raul, of scoring against most different opponents in the European tournament. The trio has scored against as many as 33 teams each in the Champions League.

During the post-match interview, Valverde heaped praise on Messi as he termed him "a player who can decide any game."

"He’s the player who can decide any game. Every day we see him he’s even better. One more record for the incredible Leo. They are easy to say, it seems natural, but it is very difficult to achieve," the Barca boss added.