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Messilona

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LeTallecWiz

LeTallecWiz

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I saw a phenomenal stat a few days ago

two years ago - messi took 25% of barca's shots
this past year - he took in the low 30s
This year, it's up to the high 30s.

Against Milan, where they lost 2-0, Messi was essentially taken out of the game and Milan dared Barca to beat them through Iniesta, Xavi and co ... It worked then - but obviously it doesn't often due to Messi's sheer brilliance and the fact the 'supporting cast' (not really fair to label players like Villa, Iniesta etc as that but still) almost always produces at high levels too.

So is that the only way to stop Barca? Try and take him out of the game and hope the others are quiet?
 
It is a problem for them. Too much of their play is centered around Messi and I wonder how much of a say Messi has had in that. Villa should be more involved than he is and Pedro and Sanchez are nowhere near productive enough these days.
 
keniget said:
It is a problem for them. Too much of their play is centered around Messi and I wonder how much of a say Messi has had in that. Villa should be more involved than he is and Pedro and Sanchez are nowhere near productive enough these days.
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I used to wonder if Zlatan's point a few years ago ("If Messi doesn't like you, you're finished at Barca") was accurate ... it seems it is based on how play is set up there.

As you say, they have a tremendous 'supporting cast' who are excellent players in their own right. Messi is the greatest yet - but they need more balance if they're to dominate like they did in Guardiola's first two years.
 
Milan was a one off, they'll probably batter them in the home leg. If you've got the best player in the world, and in my opinion, that has ever lived - you're going to try and play through him more often than not, you'd be mental not to. The thing is for Barca, they have so many brilliant attacking players in their tea, playing the correct style of football, that it doesn't matter if you can* mark him out of it, they have plenty of players that will finish you off with the space you've created from marking him.

* Messi more often than not plays better when he's got 1 or 2 men man marking him, he seems to genuinely enjoy the close style of football, in la liga at least.
 
Problem is Mors - as a team learns to 'shift' everything toward Messi (who is one of the best ever), when he is in a slump (as he is now), it hurts the team.

It's happening today again too ... Messi is average, and they're trying to force it to him non-stop. When they should be going to Pedro and Iniesta who are looking more threatening.

I wouldn't be surprised if Milan beat them at the Nou Camp too.
 
Tonight's way to beat them, the world's 2nd best player, a team full of superstars, and a manager you lot think is over rated.
 
LeTallecWiz said:
Problem is Mors - as a team learns to 'shift' everything toward Messi (who is one of the best ever), when he is in a slump (as he is now), it hurts the team.

It's happening today again too ... Messi is average, and they're trying to force it to him non-stop. When they should be going to Pedro and Iniesta who are looking more threatening.

I wouldn't be surprised if Milan beat them at the Nou Camp too.
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Tonight's problem isn't that that messi is average, it's he's not getting enough of the ball. And when he's getting it, people aren't in great positions for him to feed. They've been a bit off as a team the last 3wks. Villa is now on so we'll see if that creates space.
 
Barca are too slow and are getting predictable. Their counter attacks are non-existent and they've got lazy.

3-0 now.

Don't think Barca have had a shot.
 
Barca have had 2 shots and they're getting pwnd by a team with a manager that's 'over rated' according to people on here - how embarrassing for them!
 
Mors said:
Barca have had 2 shots and they're getting pwnd by a team with a manager that's 'over rated' according to people on here - how embarrassing for them!
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No one says he's 'over rated,' they just don't rate him amongst the greatest ever based on teams he takes, how long he stays with them and how he leaves them ...

He's played a 'bunker' and it's worked for him. Considering how average Barca were made to look by Milan and Sevilla over the last few weeks, I don't think Mourinho could rate this as one of his great coaching masterpieces.
 
I don't remember many saying he's over rated just disputing the significance of his achievements. There's no doubting he's an excellent (cup especially) manager, we could just as easily point out Barcelona pwning them in the league?

Iniesta looks about 40 these days, there could be signs that this 'best team in the world' might be starting to slow down.
 
Also, Barca have been without their manager for how long? And he's not due back any time soon, they're having to make do with a manager that's nowhere near good enough for them.
 
Nobody has said he's overrated. His circle of life is similar a every club, and wont accept a challenge without a bottomless pit of money.

He's a great manager, but woul be even better if he did something out of his comfort zone.
 
Mors said:
Barca have had 2 shots and they're getting pwnd by a team with a manager that's 'over rated' according to people on here - how embarrassing for them!
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I'm not sure if people have said he is overrated, more that he is very good at getting picked for the right jobs, and leaving before his short term(highly successful) plans leave the next manager will a huge job to do.
 
Mors said:
Also, Barca have been without their manager for how long? And he's not due back any time soon, they're having to make do with a manager that's nowhere near good enough for them.
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It shouldn't make a difference. Managers aren't important.
 
I watched that Copa del Rey game on repeat last night. Interesting battle.

Madrid effectively played 5 in a straight line across the back and then 3 or 4 midfielders in front in a similarly disciplined line. They broke out of that formation to press the person on the ball every single time Barca advanced. It was fascinating. How Mourinho's managed to get that bunch of popstars to buy into such a drilled regime is impressive.

The work Khedira and Alonso put in in particular to continually press and move was hugely significant.
 
Ryan said:
I watched that Copa del Rey game on repeat last night. Interesting battle.
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I think the game highlighted a few issues Barca are currently having -

1) Cesc cannot play on the wing - he adds little there. It has to be Villa or Tello, they add width and can add far more of an attacking threat in that position.
2) Xavi is horribly off form - he needs a rest. Barca's mid shoudl be Busquets (diver but a phenomenal player imo), Thiago and Iniesta

Their whole defense has looked average recently - they're getting far more opportunities to 'defend' and it's hurting them. Decent unit nonetheless.
 
One more point ... Barca's problem is what they had with Pep too (though rarely) - when Tiki Taka wasn't working, they stayed with it no matter what. They didn't have the personnel for a PLAN B. That's what they need now - when Messi is off form and the passing isn't working, adjust formation/style temporarily.
 
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