10 - Lionel Messi - v5

Dunno if it was by his design or Valverde's but he was extremely isolated in the first half because of how close he was playing to the CB's and essentially just waiting there. Only until Pique's red and Deulofeu consequently being subbed off did Messi move to the RW and finally get into rhythm.

He needs to stick to that RW starting point and drift into the middle and play closer to the midfield. Instead of next to Suarez he should be near Iniesta and Paulinho, the way he was playing in the 2nd half. Messi can't afford to play Ronaldo's luxurious poacher role because no one else can penetrate through defensive lines on our team than him. If he ever wants to create chances for himself or others he'll have to initiate from deep and drive it forward himself with support.

Messi isolating himself when in the false 9 role may end up being the thing that screws us over. If intense defensive teams smother him and cut off passing lanes towards him in a big game, we'll have literally NO avenue for attack.

DonAndres said:

Dunno if it was by his design or Valverde's but he was extremely isolated in the first half because of how close he was playing to the CB's and essentially just waiting there. Only until Pique's red and Deulofeu consequently being subbed off did Messi move to the RW and finally get into rhythm.

He needs to stick to that RW starting point and drift into the middle and play closer to the midfield. Instead of next to Suarez he should be near Iniesta and Paulinho, the way he was playing in the 2nd half. Messi can't afford to play Ronaldo's luxurious poacher role because no one else can penetrate through defensive lines on our team than him. If he ever wants to create chances for himself or others he'll have to initiate from deep and drive it forward himself with support.

Messi isolating himself when in the false 9 role may end up being the thing that screws us over. If intense defensive teams smother him and cut off passing lanes towards him in a big game, we'll have literally NO avenue for attack.

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I think that was his fault more than tactical planning. Probably sensed that the opponent is way inferior and took it easier, and came back when Pique was sent off to help the team more.

I was at the Camp Nou and can say he did not try very hard today, hardly broke a sweat. The freekick was sublime and then he almost scored another goal, but it was a 60% effort.

Altomonte said:

I was at the Camp Nou and can say he did not try very hard today, hardly broke a sweat. The freekick was sublime and then he almost scored another goal, but it was a 60% effort.

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It wasnt even a good free kick really and should have been saved.

Cruised the match and upped it when needed to.

Alik said:

Has played 100% of all available minutes.

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This will hurt us in March/April.

It has always been like that. Only games where Messi is rested are the early Copa games.

poor perfermance by messi .. a poor performace is a poor performance there is no need to "but" or "maybe" it.

since suarez comes back. messi not playing well. messi better in central position. wait till November when suarez goes for his operation.

Truthist said:

This will hurt us in March/April.

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He may hold a bit back for the World Cup as well. Without lucky draws it's hard to see us still in the CL come April.

The problem is we need Messi to play like at Ecuador or Bernebeu last season to have a chance against the better sides.

DonAndres said:

Dunno if it was by his design or Valverde's but he was extremely isolated in the first half because of how close he was playing to the CB's and essentially just waiting there. Only until Pique's red and Deulofeu consequently being subbed off did Messi move to the RW and finally get into rhythm.

He needs to stick to that RW starting point and drift into the middle and play closer to the midfield. Instead of next to Suarez he should be near Iniesta and Paulinho, the way he was playing in the 2nd half. Messi can't afford to play Ronaldo's luxurious poacher role because no one else can penetrate through defensive lines on our team than him. If he ever wants to create chances for himself or others he'll have to initiate from deep and drive it forward himself with support.

Messi isolating himself when in the false 9 role may end up being the thing that screws us over. If intense defensive teams smother him and cut off passing lanes towards him in a big game, we'll have literally NO avenue for attack.

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But this is just the thing, it can't only be about Messi. The wings and midfield have to occupy defenders too or take advantage of the space being afforded to them if focus is on Messi. Same thing would happen if he played on the wing and drifted centrally. Messi is a thing of beauty on that RW and I really miss his running and cutting in from the flank but his tendency to drift centrally also exposes us defensively because you now have a CM taking up the wide space as well as attempting to deal with the LB.

Watch the Madrid games against us... Marcelo always has a feast down the left flank (like it's Christmas) and causes all sorts of problems because he has no leash. He doesn't have take care of Messi, as well as basically having nobody mark him. Compare this to Madrid vs Dortmund in both legs. Danilo/Marcelo and the centre backs didn't know what to do because Dembele (as RW and AM) ran them ragged. He kept pulling them out of position, running at them etc as well as dropping back in defence. When that happens spaces open up for other players.

Messi's defensive ability is basically non-existent and with him being our chief goal scorer it's best he take up a central position. With the False 9, 4-3-3 system it is imperative that we play a left wing too so I'd say what is going to screw us is Suarez being an automatic starter because he is not suitable for that role (can't defend either) and playing Dembele/Denis LW, Suarez CF and Messi RW exposes us defensively. To counter this we could obviously switch to a flat 3-4-3 system but we'd then have to sacrifice an attacking CM because Busquets would definitely take up a place.

Trying to fit Messi and Suarez or any CF into the same starting line up is Lucho's conundrum. Valverde has figured out that playing Messi wide is a no-no but he has stubbornly persisted with a vacant left wing. Suarez is the hindrance here and it's time the other Suarez is played as LW.

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Seems like he took a glucose pill, hidden in his sock. Guy needs a rest man.

Overplaying Messi so he is deadtired come april again is a mistake that happens every season. Exceot this year it doesnt really matter since we are not even going to be challenging for cl.
Psg, Bayern, Real, City are all better. We are in that outsider bracket with United, Chelsea, Spurs, Juve, Atletico and Liverpool.

Truthist said:

This will hurt us in March/April.

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It fucking well shouldn't he runs less than everyone else and most weekends looks like he's in a training session.

He picks and chooses his moments, problem is he doesn't quite seem to understand his sheer importance in the side these days until very late, like for Argentina Vs Ecuador.

Agreed, just saw the replay, freekick was not quite 'sublime'. Better to watch match on TV instead of in stadium! Another example is Pique's hand, could not see it 'live'.

Video showed Messi took a tablet from his sock during Olympiakos match.
Much is explained now of his superhuman powers.

[youtube]mG2xinlYRFQ[/youtube]


It was only glucose.