Lionel Messi - v7

[BBZ8800]

He's scored 3 goals from open play since the coronabreak in LL, 2 of them against Alaves.

3 open play goals in the last 18 matches.
Alaves x2, Napoli.
So, he hasn't scored from an open play in 16 out of the last 18 matches.

6 matches this season.
Zero open play goals.

He can't be subbed.
He plays where he wants.
And he plays like shit lately except for a random pass here and there.

It would be interesting to see our team without him for a few matches with 4 attackers.

 

[BBZ8800]

The technical decline is a result of the physical decline imo. He just does everything at a much slower speed. Which makes him predictable and sluggish. Easy to guess and overpower.

You are right.
When I play football with my friends (I am in late 30s), my dribbles are shit since I lost pace.
Whenever I have the ball, due to me being slow, I have opponents on my back who will either tackle me or put more pressure on me to make a bad/illogical pass.

About shooting, the same.
In general shots have less power as you lose your physique and composure.
And again, when you try to shoot, you have less room and time, the opponents are always blocking you or making pressure so that you make some shitty forced inaccurate shot.

I am not comparing myself to Messi, lol.
Just stating some experiences of life and ageing.

So yes, even your technical skills drop when you lose your physique due to age.

 

[JohnN]

Age is a bitch.. everyone here above 30 can easily realise that things just aren't as good as they used to be. And it may be just a minimal difference for people who don't have physically challenging jobs or routine but for athletes the effect is amplified.
I am a big messi fan as most in the forum but still believe he should have been allowed to leave in the summer.

 

[Mitchell1978]

Had a great 2nd half vs Bolivia but it?s not the same Messi as before, we can all see that. Of course he will loose his acceleration but he makes so many technical mistakes that he never used to do before. And the amount of goalscoring chances/positions he gets in has been under 1 pr game for at least the whole year.

His performances have definitely declined since beginning of 2020, very hit and miss nowadays when consistency used to be his greatest strength.

Some people here seam to relish in it though, now they can finally push their agenda's.

That being said, maybe i'm mistaken, but I still believe he can return to better form then this.

Also agree that a change of scenery and playing in a better team would have done him a lot of good, possibly rejuvenate him somewhat.

The current Barcelona team might be younger then last seasons team but it doesn't have more quality or talent.

 

[snowy]

These hot takes lol... Even at the end of Valverde's tenure his output declined so it wasnt due to a change of coach.

All these stats reaffirm is that we should of bought Mane instead of Coutinho, in all honesty Mane's still one of the best players out there.

Sadio is fantastic! He compares very positively to this 2nd list as well and in terms of assists, chances created, duel and take-on skills, he gets amazing results!

10% granpa washed up Leo still kinda has a leg to stand on

 

[Messigician]

Throwback to ppl like Serghei saying it can never get worse than Valverde we have the best squad in the world and when we stack Valverde we will go back to playing Pep's football

 

[Messigician]

No offence to everyone but Valverde saw those players every day at training do you really think he's stupid and switched to a 442 because he's an asshole or something? And not out of tactical necessity.

 

[Respekt_III]

No offence to everyone but Valverde saw those players every day at training do you really think he's stupid and switched to a 442 because he's an asshole or something? And not out of tactical necessity.

Valverde was a bitch who along with barto set us back long term. He was a mediocre coach we replaced him with a farmer and then another mediocre coach. Expecting things to improve with little to no investment and little time is absurd.
My issue with Koeman is that I beleive he isn't the calibre of coach to build a team for the long term, his decisions to date have yet to prove otherwise as well.

 

[BBZ8800]

Valverde was a bitch who along with barto set us back long term. He was a mediocre coach we replaced him with a farmer and then another mediocre coach.

Who are good coaches?
Name 5 who are both good and who would know how to deal with Messi and amigos.

 

[Respekt_III]

Who are good coaches?
Name 5 who are both good and who would know how to deal with Messi and amigos.

Pep
Klop
Poch
Anceloti
Naglesman
Conte (explosions)

Also good coaches who I'd also liked to try
Ten hag
Gallardo

There are more out there but these are some of what I beleive are better options, regardless if they're available or not.
Also to be clear I don't like conte's style and wouldnt want him here but he's definitely a better coach although very volatile.

 

[BBZ8800]

Pep
Klop
Poch
Anceloti
Naglesman
Conte (explosions)

Also good coaches who I'd also liked to try
Ten hag
Gallardo

There are more out there but these are some of what I beleive are better options, regardless if they're available or not.
Also to be clear I don't like conte's style and wouldnt want him here but he's definitely a better coach although very volatile.

Pep is yet to prove that he can be successful anywhere for more than 3 years
Klopp, ok
Poch is a choker, according to a lot of fans
Nagles unproven
Conte, Valverde vol 2
Ten Hag unproven
Gallardo, probably also stuck in time like Xavi and Arthur.

Except Pep and Klopp, majority of fans would say for any of these guys: another mediocre guy after 2 bad matches.

 

[Alik]

Poch is proven. CL finalist and Top 3 in 3 seasons in the premier league with Spurs of all teams.

 

[Catta]

Poch would be scared of Messi, just like any other coach except Pep, Klopp, Mou and Simeone. Those 4 would be the only ones who would not be afraid to bench him.

 

[SmilerBam]

Poch would be scared of Messi, just like any other coach except Pep, Klopp, Mou and Simeone. Those 4 would be the only ones who would not be afraid to bench him.

Bench him?Who's gonna take his place?Flop Griezzman?Coutinho the turtle?Or again we are gonna build the team around ''he'll be world class someday'' Frenkie de BackPass?Thankfully for Messi,he has less than one year left with this shitshow of the club.We do have to rebuild.ButTrincao,Dembele,De Jong,are not the answer.They are overated as fuck.

 

[BBZ8800]

Bench him?Who's gonna take his place?

If he'll play like yesterday, soon the answer to your question will be: anyone.

He is not bringing anything in attack lately.
And in other areas we play with a man down.