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We're desperate for a playmaker. We have no-one to reliably translate momentum and promising situation into chances. Pedri when he's back will take some responsiblity but he doesn't like to break the point of no return in attack. We need someone ready to pounce when the space is there.

One of his first actions was losing the ball because of his languid ball handling, then failing to commit the foul on Berenguer who was through and almost scored. Big liability and adds almost nothing.

Looks kaput. I don't blame him for the block but what the fuck is he doing on in a game like that when he can't run?

I could swear Alexis went an entire season for us without beating his man. Dude wasn't getting past anyone.

He's much better when the game is flying and he has to play on instinct. Struggles in slower games because overthinking takes away his edge. Up to Xavi to figure out how to solve this riddle.

He looks very tidy in his distribution. Could probably be used to relieve Busquets/Frenkie in easier games if needed. Long term hard to say if he's got the stuff.

Looks fazed a lot of the time. I think Xavi might be in his head too much. Either way he's not really performing.

That glide for the assist was world class. What I liked the most was that he did it just after failing two similar incisive dribbles. Last year he would have done the "sensible" thing to avoid losing the ball three times in a row. But then we wouldn't have scored. Good example of how this...

He's not playing fantastically but I physically I think there is an improvement compared to before the WC. A bit more agile, dynamic, natural looking. Hopefully getting back in touch with his body.

He's not leaving defenders in his wake but he seems to be staying ahead of them once he gets past them. Those defenders being 3-4 years older than him, I wouldn't be too worried. I think the fact that he stands precisely for reasons OTHER than his pace is what makes him interesting.

His vision and intelligence is surely astonishing for his age. He just has that way of improvising ideas, of playing against the envelop of the logical move, that mark out a special player. Despite the obvious concerns about physique, I'm betting big this guy. But yeah, no reason to rush him...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd9cF1YRTEc mostly from his U19 games

Can't believe it's actually within his reach.

It's been pretty obvious for years that the occassion can affect his performance. Not always, but often, on the big stage, he looks a bit passive and overthinking. Sometimes it's not an issue, sometimes he eventually gets into the zone, sometimes he doesn't. And of course very often -- even...

I always thought he shouldn't be captain. Not because he's a bad leader but because of how pressure affects his game.

Nervousness also kinda takes the joy out of playing football so naturally it causes you to appear less excited. Can be difficult to tell which is which. You also have to remember that he always wanted to play every game. I'm sure managers would have loved to rest him if there had been games...

Don't think it's a lack of excitement. We should know how much he cares by now. It's more about performance anxiety. Goal took the pressure off his shoulders, allowed him to play more freely.

Genuinely dissapointed by the whole ARG team tho. There was just no confidence or excitement. Even when they were ahead it looked like they were dragging themselves through the game. If Messi is an inspiring leader, it has certainly never been in the hopeful, spiritually buoyant kind of way...

Thought he was ok. Some good passes in the build-up. But yeah, looked nervous and when he's nervous he gets passive, overthinks, forgets his intuition. Looked like he was about to puke before taking that free kick.

Recall a scrappy win in Pamplona in Pep's first season as well. Late Messi winner in the rain.