Guardiola unfazed by Messi form

Pep Guardiola insists he is not concerned about Lionel Messi’s form ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final tie against Chelsea.

The Argentine was unable to find the back of the net in the 1-0 loss against the Blues last week and in the 2-1 Clasico loss to Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday.

Despite the mini drought, Guardiola feels there is no reason to worry ahead of Tuesday night’s return at Camp Nou.

“I never allow myself to be concerned about Messi. Not even if he doesn’t score for 27 matches,” Guardiola said.

“I give him tranquillity and the right to not have to score goals until he wants to. He’s scored a brutal amount of goals this season.

“Let him play, be happy and be who he’s always been. His ambition helps us all.”

Messi has scored 63 goals in all competitions this season, just four behind the all-time single-season record set by Gerd Muller.

Messi missed Sunday’s training session but Guardiola said the star man was fit to play against Chelsea.

“Leo had a gastric issue, the doctor saw him and he called us before the training session to say he wouldn’t be coming in, but now he’s okay,” Guardiola said.