Tata Martino`s Relationship With Players Suffers Setback

Gerardo Martino is fully aware that his Barcelona side needed new options in order to keep going. That's why he tried to make his team play a more direct style of football, one that used the long ball or quick counter-attack as an option.

This bordered on sacrilege. Public opinion erupted in protest and he was forced to take a step back. At that time results were going the team's way.

However, that hasn't been the case for a long time. Their results aren't the worst thing at the club. The worst thing is the sense of apathy transmitted by the team, of not caring, of impotence and of over-confidence. An attitude that the coach doesn't like one little bit.


Tata Martino publicly defends his players, but he knows deep down what is happening. Training sessions are not as intense as he and his coaching staff would like. Barcelona is showing its worst side after many years at the top.

The Argentine coach doesn't want to speak openly, but right now he looks to be on his way out of Barcelona. He cannot see himself achieving much more with this team. His vagueness is yet another problem for the club. He wants to give himself a little more time, but the breakdown in his coaching relationship with the team is evident.