10 - Lionel Messi - v3

[Stric]

The ball moves faster, Stric. I haven't seen a save like this one you're describing. And unless you're a famous gk for defending penalties, I stick with the gks I heard this from. They are/were specialists in defending them.

They also personally have a good reason to say good penalties are unstoppable.

 

[Antimadridista1]

The one that Leo scored at the Bernabeu (the third of his hat-trick) in 2014 was also unstoppable imo.

 

[Kerrybai]

For the record Suarez should take them, he has seniority over Neygoat and it makes sense for our number 9 to take them.

 

[Semi-Neutral]

I don't think penalties are 100% unstoppable, but for all intents and purposes they are, the chances of the keeper to save most penalties are so low they might as well be unstoppable

 

[Flavia]

They also personally have a good reason to say good penalties are unstoppable.

Because they are. From the center of goal, they can't match the speed of a ball going strong in the top corner. Here in Brazil a penalty is called "half a goal" for good reason.

 

[JamDav1982]

For the record Suarez should take them, he has seniority over Neygoat and it makes sense for our number 9 to take them.

Messi should keep taking them.

A happier Messi is worth one or two more missed pens.

 

[evilhita666]

I agree with Flavia, a well hit penalty is impossible to save... But then again, a player has to hit it well...

There's a reason why GKs chose a side and hope for the best, they can't wait to see where the ball is going to go as there is virtually no time to react... There are better GKs at choosing where to try the save, as well as there are better players at scoring penalties...

 

[Stric]

Because they are. From the center of goal, they can't match the speed of a ball going strong in the top corner. Here in Brazil a penalty is called "half a goal" for good reason.

I do agree with the sentiment. It is extremely difficult and unlikely that a great shot will be saved.

But as long as we're talking about impossibles, we should also mention that it is impossible that a penalty taker, regardless of how well trained he is, can make the absolute perfect shot every time. Being well trained is definitely a huge leg up, but after a certain point, other factors can make a bigger difference than being 2% better trained.

If Hart had accidentally decided to dive the other way, we wouldn't be talking about how Messi needs to practice more. He didn't miss. Hart saved it, because he guessed the side. That's a significant difference.

 

[DonAK]

If you hit it very well in the corner then there's nothing saving that. Although trying to do that, you might end up shooting wide. Used to take the penalties for my team when our #1 wasn't and I used to do that. Right in the corner. Always worked, except when I narrowly missed the goal ofc.

 

[Stric]

Besides, we got caught up discussing theories and extremes. No striker takes the perfect shot every time. And if we agree that luck does play a part at least with non-perfect shots, then it's obvious that luck plays a part in most penalties. Because most are not perfect.

 

[evilhita666]

I do agree with the sentiment. It is extremely difficult and unlikely that a great shot will be saved.

But as long as we're talking about impossibles, we should also mention that it is impossible that a penalty taker, regardless of how well trained he is, can make the absolute perfect shot every time. Being well trained is definitely a huge leg up, but after a certain point, other factors can make a bigger difference than being 2% better trained.

If Hart had accidentally decided to dive the other way, we wouldn't be talking about how Messi needs to practice more. He didn't miss. Hart saved it, because he guessed the side. That's a significant difference.

Besides, we got caught up discussing theories and extremes. No striker takes the perfect shot every time. And if we agree that luck does play a part at least with non-perfect shots, then it's obvious that luck plays a part in most penalties. Because most are not perfect.

That I can agree with... :beer2:

 

[Flavia]

Besides, we got caught up discussing theories and extremes. No striker takes the perfect shot every time. And if we agree that luck does play a part at least with non-perfect shots, then it's obvious that luck plays a part in most penalties. Because most are not perfect.

Well taken doesn't mean perfect, Stric. Messi is not a specialist on penalties, but the players that are rarely miss one.

 

[footyfan]

By far the best player on the pitch ---> https://lionelmessi10i.wistia.com/medias/fr0sw1i6eh

Only put him in second in MOTM because of that awful rebound header.

 

[Flavia]

By far the best player on the pitch ---> https://lionelmessi10i.wistia.com/medias/fr0sw1i6eh

Only put him in second in MOTM because of that awful rebound header.

I think he was embarassed because of the header. Worst thing I've ever saw him doing, surely.

 

[Kerrybai]

Messi should keep taking them.

A happier Messi is worth one or two more missed pens.

I'm not sure, if we could keep Messi happy without them then it's worth giving them to Suarez. When a number 9 hits a bad spell they often have a penalty to keep them ticking over, or to interrupt a 'drought'. It could do his confidence a lot of good when he hits bad spells, and it would make him our main goalscorer, or our star if you will.

By far the best player on the pitch ---> https://lionelmessi10i.wistia.com/medias/fr0sw1i6eh

Only put him in second in MOTM because of that awful rebound header.

It's a huge relief to see him play like this after last season. He reminded me of teenage Messi with some of those dribbles.