Also Messi played better, midfield played better, etc.
Also other teams adapted and learned how to deal with such small lineups. Villa-Messi-Pedro would have it much more difficult against todays defenses even with 2011 form.
That's exactly the same lineup and tactics, that failed against Athletico, just few days ago.
Really, I don't remember Benatia playing for us in that game. If he did, I would've put money on 1-0.
?? Neymar - Messi - Sanchez is too small/weak and yet Villa - Messi - Pedro were not and were part of the team that most say was the best Barca, even better than 09.
We should play like this.
Really, I don't remember Benatia playing for us in that game. If he did, I would've put money on 1-0.
I just don't have a feeling that he will regularly score 20 Goals per Season for us, and that he will start scoring in big CL games.
I just don't believe that he has that (Barca) quality.
The reason he doesn't score in big CL games is because he doesn't play in big CL games. Martino was starting with Neymar-Cesc-Messi. Last year was similar with him on the bench against Milan. Against PSG he won a penalty away. Bayern was a disaster but that was the whole team and tactics. He's scored a couple of Golazos this season against Real and Atletico, both the big rivals(Didn't start either Clasico).
There's no point blaming him for not performing in big games when he doesn't play in them. If he was trusted more then maybe he would have shown what he's capable of. Hopefully either Lucho trusts him or club get rid of Cesc which will force them to make better use of Alexis.
We should play like this.
So the onus is on Messi then? "We'll be ok once Messi starts scoring 50 goals a season again" right?
All the team needs is 20 from Alexis, 9 from Neymar and... 50 from Messi.
Benatia is all the team requires, the rest is up to Messi scoring 50 goals per season again.