BenRobbins
New member
He won't join chelsea haha
He is not the reason that our team regressed, he is the reason that barca is still seen as a possible champions league winner.
So far his work rate has been just fine.
I like numbers, Im not fan of he say she says...Messi's work rate this season (in CL since we have numbers) is HIGHER then in season 2011. He runs more then in time when Pep was a coach. Yesterday he ran 8.7km, a record for him as far as I know...
Problem of barca is that entire team is very static (until last two games) and messi doesnt press as much as Pedro or Suarez for example so there is a feeling he runs less then he did years before which is MYTH.
I disagree and have never seen Messi mocked for his lack of work rate as much as I have in this past year.
That includes the world cup and games this season.
Still far and away the best in the world on ball, but in the new tactics he is often in the ten role with four players on front of him and team will continue to break through midfield with ease if a man short defensively.
I was referring to this season. It's true that his work rate last season was abysmal, especially in the game against Atletico in the 2nd leg of the CL quarterfinals. Never have I seen him so lazy and clueless. However, he has been much better this season in that regard. He contributes in defence like he used to a few years ago while still being able to create chances and score goals. As for this season, he seems rejuvenated, bar a couple of games.
I can only meet you halfway on this one. I really can't see why you are being critical of him for this season.
I actually do agree he has ran more in the past few games but my only gripe is that in his role now even more is needed defensively as the top teams will dominate in midfield if he doesnt.
There is a reason that top managers like Pep/Mourinho wont have anyone in the ten role that have poor work rate as it damages the midfield so much defensively.
We shall see but I thought against Real/PSG they were helped a lot in being able to break from deep as midfield was often a man light.
So 5 minutes earlier hes work rate "dropped", only for me to show you that it was always like this, but whole team was much more in sync and less static. He didnt actually run much more yesterday, its just that team played better and him and suarez were constantly interchanging and drifting into spaces so it creates illusion that he ran alot more when in fact he didnt.Not suprised he runs more than in Peps day as he was given license to run less as false nine, but gradually teams become wise to the areas he would drift into.
8.7km being a record tell its own story.