10 - Lionel Messi - v1

[FCBarca]

+1

as for the missed chance... whoever that defender was, he was QUICK. messi simply did not expect the defender to get to him so fast, he was smart too... went for messi's left side, brilliant work, messi couldn't do anything

Yep, forced Leo to make his move to weaker right foot...although the bump from the defender was sufficient enough to put Messi off balance, just enough

 

[Alissa]

If Messi was 'poor' last night than I don't even want to know what the others were. He is the reason why we didn't lose last night, clearly MotM. Zonal Marking summed it up perfectly:

"Emery should be praised for his starting tactics, as well as some brave substitutions late on to try and force Barca back. Ultimately Messi’s quality was the biggest factor in getting the away side back into the game – and there’s no shame in that."

 

[La LL]

No Fabregas made as many mistakes as Messi did too. Numerous give away's and all, if Cesc can be named motm Messi has as much shout too. Just an opinion though

Cesc was by far the motm. Messi really cocked up a lot, sending bad passes and not picking up on his game except for that sweet pass at the end.

Cesc cocked up less but also made several sublime passes. Plus he was really aggressive and pressuring, constantly pushing and prodding.

 

[dalitis8]

both of you are wrong though, xavi was the undisputed MOtM

Certainly this.

Messi provided 2 excellent assists, and almost another one at the death of the match, but for Villa's miss. But he seems off the pace (due to that silly Copa America I presume)

Cesc scored the 2nd and was involved in the 1st. He is being played out of position, but still shines, but like Messi he is still short fitness-wise.

Xavi was heroic and magic last night. He probed almost all game, he won the ball back countless of times, he executed his brilliant pirouettes to perfection, he distributed the ball in the sublime manner than only he can, he even dribbled for the love of God. All this in a match where Valencia's midfield was crowded and well drilled (led by the more than decent Banega) and all he had as supporting cast was an invisible Keita, and a mediocre Biscuits. Only the introduction of Thiago released some of the suffocating pressure on the old maestro.

It is in games like this one, where things turn out badly, that players of real quality show through. The fact that we drew the game, has no bearing on Xavi's performance. It was one for the ages for anyone who understands football.

 

[Hatem Ben Arfa]

I agree, XAVI was man of the match. I can't beleive I forgot to mention him.

 

[Barcafan 2304]

Still stand by Cesc but yes, Xavi was coolness personified last night. Brilliant

 

[gingerless]

fuck this cunt. he ruined my prediction, sell him

 

[oggmar]

hes to good(i had him at 4 goals today, honestly count that owngoal please!)

 

[estranged]

Yea he ruined mine too.

 

[mitkoa7x]

TOMA! Cristina!

 

[Yugi]

I dont score hattricks every match, but when I do I fucking own them everyone

 

[Ken_rosseneri]

He should be a 99 on FIFA 12

 

[mitkoa7x]

He should be a 99 on FIFA 12

No mere game can capture his briliance.

 

[oggmar]

He should be a 99 on FIFA 12

You would probably have to program so that the "computer" would take over once in a while to dribble of some and A) score or B) make a brilliant pass

 

[FCBarca]

Human highlight reel...Pure joy