Intro:

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino looks ahead to Sunday's (20th April) visit of Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Primera League - and defends Lionel Messi after he was criticised for his erratic form after three consecutive defeats for the Catalan giants.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Gerardo "Tata" Martino, coach of FC Barcelona team (about Lionel Messi's alleged poor performances):

"One mustn't speculate much when a player is not in top shape during one or two games, it's merely anecdotal. What happens is that when it comes to him things are over blown. What I really find hard to believe is that somebody can start doubting his future in the club. His future is here in Barcelona. He started here at the age of 12 and should stay here until the end of his career that's the way it should be."