Messi: Penalty problems frustrate me

Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2015 by Goal.com

The Barcelona star believes goalkeepers are wising up to his tactics from the spot but concedes his record from 12 yards has not been good enough

Lionel Messi admits he is deeply frustrated with his success rate from penalties this season.

Barcelona and Argentina star Messi has missed four penalties for club and country this term, including against Manchester City in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Brazil in an international friendly.

The 27-year-old says he is still the No.1 spot-kick taker for Barcelona but concedes he must improve his record, especially given that goalkeepers are beginning to do their homework on his tactics from 12 yards.

"Yes there is a lot of frustration that I have missed a lot of penalties, both for the club and for Argentina," Messi told Barca's official magazine.

"I am the designated penalty taker, but when the goalkeepers study you they know your ideas more. It is true to say that a well-taken penalty is very difficult to stop, but now it's more complicated when it comes to taking a penalty.

"These are things in football, but it is true that I have made poor decisions, such as against Manchester City, when the goal would have given us a very important advantage.

"But like everything in football, we are fortunate that every three days there is another game - you cannot keep regretting what happened."