10 - Lionel Messi - v3

[KingMessi]

The 'hourglass' formation?

Think Spain under VDB at Euro 2012. If Masche plays as the hybrid CDM/CB role he did against Holland and Germany, then bringing Cuadrado starts to make a lot more sense. But not 42 M euros.

 

[Stric]

That's a 4-2-2-2, really. In theory, it could work, but in reality, 4 of those 10 players offer no defensive effort whatsoever.

 

[KingMessi]

That's a 4-2-2-2, really. In theory, it could work, but in reality, 4 of those 10 players offer no defensive effort whatsoever.

Suarez and Neymar both have immense work rate though. And Mascherano offers a lot more defensive stability.

 

[Stric]

Suarez and Neymar both have immense work rate though. And Mascherano offers a lot more defensive stability.

Neymar doesn't offer a significant defensive contribution, sorry. He's better than he was 2 years ago in that regard, but it's still nowhere near what wide forwards like Alexis and Pedro do.

 

[KingMessi]

Neymar doesn't offer a significant defensive contribution, sorry. He's better than he was 2 years ago in that regard, but it's still nowhere near what wide forwards like Alexis and Pedro do.

I didn't say it was significant. He tries, but there is little to no end product.

 

[Stric]

Well, "immense work rate" is pointless if there's nothing to show for it... Either way, even if it's 3 and not 4 players who don't offer much defensively, it's still very unbalanced. In that case we'd need fullbacks who are extremely defensive, but we're the exact opposite of that.

 

[DinhoR10]

Well, "immense work rate" is pointless if there's nothing to show for it... Either way, even if it's 3 and not 4 players who don't offer much defensively, it's still very unbalanced. In that case we'd need fullbacks who are extremely defensive, but we're the exact opposite of that.

For all the attacking Jordi does, he'll always be there by the time the guy on his flank gets the ball to attack.

 

[Zincubus]

Given Iniesta's poor season ( by his standards ) maybe LE doesn't see him as a guaranteed starter .... as in the second option ( top right graphic )

 

[Androutsos]

Given Iniesta's poor season ( by his standards ) maybe LE doesn't see him as a guaranteed starter .... as in the second option ( top right graphic )

Yeah maybe, he could also see him as a solution to Xavi's role. Pushing Rakitic up into where Iniesta has played the last few years.

 

[linetty]

James (Monaco): "You're always watching Messi. I try to copy him, like you do with all other greats, but Messi is a step above the rest."

James Rodriguez (Monaco): "Messi is a crack, he does things at a higher level than the other players. He's a monster, simple as that" [dxtv]

 

[Zincubus]

James (Monaco): "You're always watching Messi. I try to copy him, like you do with all other greats, but Messi is a step above the rest."

James Rodriguez (Monaco): "Messi is a crack, he does things at a higher level than the other players. He's a monster, simple as that" [dxtv]

Those comments won't have pleased CR07 at all

 

[linetty]

 

[instinct]

haha great!

btw: Messi reads Barcaforum and especially DonAndres' posts. He should keep the beard!

 

[linetty]

Nice stuff

 

[Luftstalag14]

haha great!

btw: Messi reads Barcaforum and especially DonAndres' posts. He should keep the beard!

Is that real beard or just the shadow?