Tito on Messi – Vilanova coached Leo Messi when he played for Barca’s Cadet B, and the coach remembers how the young Argentine used to enjoy playing as a false forward even then, so it’s no surprise he is doing the job so well right now. “He used to play as a false center forward, so [the fact that] he has occupied the position for almost two seasons with us is not new to him, and he was used to playing well there. Playing him as the center of the front three was a conscious decision and one which we were sure would work because Leo Messi is pure talent.”
“Playing as a false centre-forward means he is involved much more in the collective play of the entire team, and he is much harder to stop because you do not know whether to go left or right and, above all, because any rival will think twice before making a foul on the edge of the area because of the hazards involved.”
“Beyond this, Leo creates a huge scoring ability and another side which is equally decisive: vision. How many goals has Leo had this season? Messi is complete, he has it all. He even scored with a header in the final in Rome!”
“With the first team in 2008, our first commitment was to a clear 4-3-3 with Leo located on the right wing. It is normal that after seeing us play on many occasions, each time it would be harder for us to surprise the opposing team. On the wing, Messi, or any other player, it is easier to counter, especially when he almost always finds himself in a one on one.”
