10 - Lionel Messi - v5

[kilian]

If someone deserved credit with Barca fans it`s Messi. But that doesn`t change the fact that his level of commitment against PSG was pathetic and he was rightfully criticized for that. It`s not Copa against Hercules so you can walk around the pitch.

He bailed us out a million times and will do it again probably. Our coach just needs to find a better way to nulify his non-existent defending and free up space for him in attack. I`m not sure Enrique is capable of doing that.

 

[9thMode]

That's true. Our best player by far.
It is also true that he doesn't work hard and let's be honest, it's a handicap when we don't have the ball.

I wouldn't mind him staying as AMC but we need to change formation.

Thank you for being objective.
I have no doubt Messi is our best player by miles.
However, the fact that he doesn't help defensively can't be undermined.

 

[DonAK]

Messi usually tracks back when the game is on the line and when he loses the ball. He tries to recover it. Apart from that, he doesn't contribute much defensively, but that's not an issue.

The issue is that he should move a bit more to receive the ball in more favorable positions, and this is something I expect a new coach who knows the art of positional play and movement will fix, or hide so it doesn't become an issue.

 

[FlaFCB]

Thank you for being objective.
I have no doubt Messi is our best player by miles.
However, the fact that he doesn't help defensively can't be undermined.

Barça won 2 trebles without the need for Messi to defend, and he was the best player for both trebles. He is not the problem.

 

[El Barcelona]

Neymar tracks a lot back and have great stamina so just change to 442 when we lose the ball. Problem solved.

 

[Ritchie]

Neymar tracks a lot back and have great stamina so just change to 442 when we lose the ball. Problem solved.

If we had someone like Kante in midfield it wouldn't be a problem. Instead we pack the midfield with 3 slouches with zero pace or mobility and expect Busquets to do everything.

If you've got Messi in the team you don't want him to track back. You just want him on the ball as much as possible.

 

[9thMode]

Barça won 2 trebles without the need for Messi to defend, and he was the best player for both trebles. He is not the problem.

Well when you have a " STRIKER" in Suarez doing his job "staying" up front and you have Messi doing that too, guess what happens?

 

[DonAK]

Well when you have a " STRIKER" in Suarez doing his job "staying" up front and you have Messi doing that too, guess what happens?

We win, like in the last couple of seasons.

Messi don't need to improve his defensive work. He do however need to improve his movement off the ball a tad. You're looking at the wrong thing here.

 

[FlaFCB]

Well when you have a " STRIKER" in Suarez doing his job "staying" up front and you have Messi doing that too, guess what happens?

I don't remember Suarez being here before 2014. And Barça's dominance started in 2008. So yeah, your strange disrespectful disregard for Messi is just that.

 

[BigBarcaBoy]

The system isn't the problem, it is who is playing that is the problem

 

[Horatio]

Well when you have a " STRIKER" in Suarez doing his job "staying" up front and you have Messi doing that too, guess what happens?

Messi staying in front? I thought we critized Barca tactics because Messi tracked back too far to pick up the ball from midfield.

 

[KingMessi]

Well when you have a " STRIKER" in Suarez doing his job "staying" up front and you have Messi doing that too, guess what happens?

Except Suarez doesn't just roam upfront. And knock it off with the condescension.

 

[Zebulun]

Well when you have a " STRIKER" in Suarez doing his job "staying" up front and you have Messi doing that too, guess what happens?

have you watched any barca match this season lol. i'm guessing not, because Suarez the striker runs his ass off every game.

 

[Zebulun]

The system isn't the problem, it is who is playing that is the problem

sorry bud the system is the problem for the players that we have. Imagine we have the greatest in history playing for us and he's expected to drop deep get the ball circulating, spray passes, dribble past everybody in every play, head back up to score?
that's insane and the fact that lucho put all that burden on messi is unforgivable for me. if you watch carefully nearly in any given match, messi plays as a 6,8,10 and RW and we expect messi to have energy to have his clutch moments.

 

[Galning]

Suarez is staying up front? Are people for real? He presses like crazy every game.
Messi doesn't track back? Messi barely tracks back, ever, and if tactics were actually working he wouldn't have to. He is already responsible for creating all of our attacks, finishing most of them... and some guys want him to play right back too now? Some points of view never fail to amaze me on here. Strange that the "Messi doesn't run" comments never appear when he bangs in 3 and gives a couple of assists. Guess what, he also doesn't run much then.