10 - Lionel Messi - V6

[Raketa10]

Our players become pussies once Leo is on the pitch. They pass to him in all situations, even when there is a far better option. Everything goes through him again, nothing happens without him again. This is the recurring theme of the last two seasons. Today was not the game to start him. His lack of defensive work really cost us today, the pressing just didn't work.

It's not about beeing a pussie, the entire system is terrible when Messi is on the pitch. Valverde and Enrique have the same problem. They don't know how to close down the right side. After Dani Alves left we have a huge problem on that side of the pitch. We need a manager who will be abble to change the entire system because playing 4-3-3 with Messi and Suarez on the pitch is literally impossible.

 

[Stoichkov1]

It's not about beeing a pussie, the entire system is terrible when Messi is on the pitch. Valverde and Enrique have the same problem. They don't know how to close down the right side. After Dani Alves left we have huge problem on that side of the pitch.

It doesn't help that Sergi Roberto is the RB.

 

[DonAK]

Yes, Messi walking is the reason we lost. Never mind the other players playing like shit. The usual suspects are back at it again.

Messi not pressing have usually not been a hindrance to us winning in the league. In fact him walking and winning it on his own is a reason we've usually won these league titles.

Also we barely won against a team that's getting relegated without Messi, and we probably didn't deserve it either.

 

[FCB1987]

the least of our problems today, he'll be even better once he's fully fit

 

[Sumlit]

They don't have good players on the right side. Ever since Alves left, they've had slow players and/or players who aren't great under pressure.

Roberto and Rakitic covering right is an issue, and has nothing to do with Messi. They struggle even when Messi doesn't play.

 

[Raketa10]

Yes, Messi walking is the reason we lost. Never mind the other players playing like shit.

He is NOT the reason he is the GOAT. But if you don't see the problem and if you think we can still play 4-3-3 with Messi and Roberto you are delusional.

The point is we need to adapt our system. We can not keep on playing like this or we'll get slaughtered again and again. So either try to play Semedo or find another RB but Roberto can not play there anymore! Also why the fuck don't we try 4-2-3-1?!

 

[Sumlit]

He is NOT the reason he is the GOAT. But if you don't see the problem and if you think we can still play 4-3-3 with Messi and Roberto you are delusional.

The issue is Roberto and Rakitic

 

[Daniele]

IMHO Messi had a quite good game; 2 goals, some terrific passes, some brilliant take ons. Of course is not 100% (maybe he should have played just half match) but it was the same barca of the previous La liga match, mentally out of focus, and out of the match

 

[DonAK]

He is NOT the reason he is the GOAT. But if you don't see the problem and if you think we can still play 4-3-3 with Messi and Roberto you are delusional.

I see a problem, but very little of it have to do with Messi, even though Messi is not without flaws himself.

We probably have the slowest right side in European football and Rakitic and Roberto keep getting game after game, Rakitic is probably tired and performing even worse because of it and all of Roberto's shit games are excused by his fanboys on this forum.

 

[Sumlit]

Rakitic has been getting slower and slower since his debut season. He's improved his control under pressure, but that was always his weakness and isn't a strength now strength.

Roberto is not only slow, but he's downright a terrible defender. Just terrible.

You can't hold down a flank with two slow players, regardless of who is playing forward.

If you need your forward to take from his offense in order to cover defense for your midfield and RB, you have bigger issues going.

 

[Raketa10]

The issue is Roberto and Rakitic

Rakitic is not the issue. What is the issue is his position on the field when Messi is playing. That was clearly visible against Real Madrid.

 

[Sumlit]

Rakitic is not the issue. What is the issue is his position on the field when Messi is playing.

No. Rakitic is part of the issue. He's not quick enough anymore to hold down a flank against counters. Roberto's defensive liability does not help him.

 

[DonAK]

Rakitic is not the issue. What is the issue is his position on the field when Messi is playing. That was clearly visible against Real Madrid.

What was the excuse against Rayo Vallecano?

 

[te amo barca]

Say what you want but there is an immense dependence on Messi when he is playing simply because he becomes the focal point of all our attacks, which makes us predictable as fuck. Teams in CL knock-outs take him out of the game by triple marking him, and we inevitably become impotent in attack, giving Leo the ball in the center of the pitch surrounded by four opposition players until he creates something out of thin air. That is simply not a healthy gameplan, and today was the same thing as ever. This is why I want Dembele to play: he plays a different type of football and can come out with something ridiculously creative instead of being a meek yes-man and passing the ball to Leo in every situation.

This is by all means not a dig at Messi. The coach is responsible for the way we play, and tonight we should have started the game without him.

 

[Raketa10]

What was the excuse against Rayo Vallecano?

Excuse? Yeah others were magnificent! He was the main issue as always.