Lionel Messi - v7

[xXKonan]

Problems run deep and Messi happens to be part of it.

What we have learned in the past 5 years that it's increasingly difficult to have even one Luxury player in the starting lineup if you want to Dominate in Europe. Despite what Messi gives there's also an aspect that is also leaves us exposed, his lack of work rate on and off the ball can leave us so exposed on the right flank that we were getting murdered for it against strong teams.

The worst part of it is we also persist in using Suarez which massively adds to the difficulty, and we are basically playing with 9 fucking men out there. And then you have perhaps the slowest and weakest Midfield out there trying to cover for that. In our situation it all starts up front and makes it's way to the back of the team.

All areas of this team are weak as shit no doubt about it.

 

[sickstar]

Okay, let's look again for the moments, how it could reach 8!

- First goal, it's just the play of two men. Muller and Lewa are Suarez and Messi, or Alba and Messi, when they're in top form and in such awful oppnonent condition. I mean Alba left Muller, and focus on Lewa when de Jong is already marking him.

- After that OG, Suarez' chip misses a few inches and Messi's ball hit the right post. It could've been 3-1 barca.

- Bayern attack with so many bodies upfront but our wall was still tough this time. Messi's solo almost made it 2-1 barca, weak finish from him. I'm sure he would regret those.

- Until this minutes, the Barca could've been the team who was leading the score. Better moments. Weak finishes from Messi and Suarez proved to cost us later.

- A blunder (i think it's Sergi's) led to Gnabry and Perisic cooperating when the latter eventually scored. Everyone was focusing to Lewa, Muller and Gnabry, and rightfully so.

- Until Perisic's goal barca hasn't donetoo much fault in the back, but Bayern continue winning the ball and pressed with many men. One or two mistakes were bound to happen.

- Leon Goretzka's assist is quick and accurate. It's the quality that matter here. And Gnabry was such a strong player Lengley can't handle. Quickness, precision and strength.

- Mistakes after mistakes, Lewa almost made it 4. It could be that our players concentration were already wrecked due to the score differences and the continued pressing and attacking play. We were outpowered.

- Kimmich also pressed us. That showed how they're underestimating our strength to counter attack except they're right in doing so. Played like a winger, and excellent finish, again from Muller. This man..

- After that, it's history.. We showed what we can do, beautiful goal btw Suarez goal, but it's too late. And that guy, Alphonse also strip the right back to shreds.

Bayern showed us that they have the better systems, better young talents and better finishers, at the time of play. The last three was just us giving up. Who wouldn't. After hope was brought back with a perfect goal (2-4), all was torn to bits after a young man turn the whole defense outside down.

 

[Richard.H]

@sickstar Excellent analysis

 

[sickstar]

Barca is too reliant on Messi-Suarez. 70 goals from 86 (over 80%) in la liga are direct contribution of two players only. We know it's almost telephatic between them, and when combined with top form situation, no team could handle these two.

Next assist maker in the list is Alba. Too bad he's not in a good health condition this season. Also from keypass statistic, again Messi almost tripled everyone in this category.

With less minutes of play from Suarez, Alba and De Jong's situation this season, it's not really helping Messi. It's nice that we still have Arturo or else it really would be Messi servicing the likes of Griez and Ansu. Don't get it wrong, Griez and Fati were also making efforts and team plays, just still far from Messi-Suarez-Alba level of understanding, and De Jong is also promising but he lacks the game time.

With bayern, Lewa and Muller goal contribution is on 67, but from 100 goals. They're less reliant to these two, and it can be seen from this match, that it could be either Lewa and Muller, or Gnabry and Perisic, or Gnabry and Goretzka or Kimmich and Muller, or Lewa and Cou and so on.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

There's Messi fans who recognize he's one of the greatest ever based on his past achievements but also recognize he's presently no longer helping take this club in the direction we want with his very high salary, poor tactical play, and gradual but sure decline.

Then there's Messi fanboys who think the conceding of 8 goals happens in a vacuum just because we have shit defenders. All of the team was dire yesterday, including Messi. I can only give a pass to FDJ. That's it.

Yeah true but some member here arent objectively and its criminal if someone critize one thing from Messi.

 

[Raki13]

Some ridiculous childish comments on here about the GOAT. Hes 34 , hes not going to get better , his days at the top of the game are over it happens to everyone.

 

[serghei]

Some ridiculous childish comments on here about the GOAT. Hes 34 , hes not going to get better , his days at the top of the game are over it happens to everyone.

He's 33 moving like he's 40. No worries, La Liga will start soon and we'll see the GOAT again dominating Eibar.

 

[kattanib]

Dear Captain,

Do you have anything to say?


Best Regards,
A Barca Fan

 

[serghei]

Dear Captain,

Do you have anything to say?


Best Regards,
A Barca Fan

Not a word from him. Even 23 year old De Jong has more leadership than Messi.

 

[slicknick]

Not a word from him. Even 23 year old De Jong has more leadership than Messi.

+1....This game sure brought his already-apparent his lack of leadership to the public eye,which does no favors to his legacy, sadly

 

[Batistuta9]

Not a word from him. Even 23 year old De Jong has more leadership than Messi.

Is there anything to say really? It would be something similar along the lines back when we lost to osasuna at home.

 

[Tackle]

Leo deserves his share of the blame and I have not been hesitant to hand it out, but from his perspective lad is likely totally demoralized and drained from last season's collapse against Liverpool.

Madrid had just won 3 consecutive CLs and we heard Messi make a speech at the start of the season on how it was his goal to return European glory to Barcelona.

He went on to have one of his best seasons ever at age 32 and single handedly carried us through the knockout phases. Less effective away from home, but he did what he needed to do at the Camp Nou.

After the 3-0 against Liverpool it seemed certain we were going to finally lift the title again. Then we collapsed yet again with Leo not playing a particularly poor match, just one week after his herculean effort at home.

At this age you need to be extremely focused and dedicated, both mentally and physically to stay on the top. Leo gave it one last try last season and I feel he has given up. That of course is not acceptable for a bloke on 50m, but just some possible views from his side.

 

[serghei]

Is there anything to say really? It would be something similar along the lines back when we lost to osasuna at home.

Yes, what De Jong said. That should be from the captain. Any captain worth his salt doesn't hide away in the locker room or stands mute like a Michelangelo sculpture. Makes my blood boil that this guy has so much power in the team.

Should be moved absolutely no doubt, based on 3 factors: the money he's paid which could be reinvested in the team, the extreme laziness he shows on the field, and lack of any discipline in terms of positioning.

In a period where at every top team you see attacking players carry their weight and help defensively, even at fucking PSG, this guy doesn't give a fuck and lets others grind out and do his work. Some captain.

Distance run vs Bayern is around +10km in favor of Bayern. That's the effort of 1 extra player. That's Messi and Suarez for you, they make the opponent look like he's playing with 1 more player. 11 vs 12.

 

[kattanib]

Is there anything to say really? It would be something similar along the lines back when we lost to osasuna at home.

When you face a tragedy you want reassurance or stability or guidance from your leader. The amount of fans that look up to Messi, the youngsters being bullied by their friends. He is the team?s captain for god sake. He has a responsibility and if he isn?t up to it then he should lose the arm band.

Edit: I remember Ronaldinho last year and how I was bullied at school. I was the only Barca fan in my class and everyone was jealous of our achievements and couldn?t wait to see us lose and make fun of us. I fought and defend the club even when we were losing to Madrid and Man Utd in the champions. I traveled to Barcelona just to watch our team lose. It isn?t easy for young kids and the players, the captain needs to address that. 8-2 will cause many kids to be bullied for years because of the club they love, because of the Messi they idealize

 

[serghei]

If we don't have the guts to let him go just yet, the minimum damage he will do off the ball is at CF. Good or bad, terminate Suarez and move Messi at CF. Put in guys who can run in midfield and on the wings please.