This works in most league games but the team may struggle in the crunch CL games as, for instance, was the case vs Atleti twice.
La Liga 2017/18
- Thread starter Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87
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This works in most league games but the team may struggle in the crunch CL games as, for instance, was the case vs Atleti twice.
That would have been a great through ball from Iniesta.
Barcelona is playing 4-4-2.
Alcacer defends as RM (not that he has to do a lot)
If you followed the Spanish press since Guardiola's second year, you'd have read hundreds of instances where they were basically saying Messi didn't run as he should and that he was lazy.
He regulates his own form, when the team struggles and it's lights out, that's when he shows that hunger and desire, when things are going good, he slows a little.
You can see it with LeBron James in the NBA, the guy could probably put +30 points every game if he wanted to go all out, but he plays regulating his own effort and ends up with more humanly stats, is about being there when you're needed, not going ham every game.
Still, everyone talks as if Messi was just playing at top level 90 minutes every game at the start of the season, we're 38 minutes into this game, if he turns it up to eleven for 20 minutes in the second half and gets two goals, then no one would remember what you're pointing now, stats and goals schew his performance a lot.
Today it's being worse than usual and he looks like he doesn't care but he tends to play similarly in a lot of games. He'll conserve his energy and come up with a goal any minute now.
It's not like he turns it up for 90 minutes in the big games either, even in the big games he's usually one of the players that runs the least as he still conserves his energy. That's why I disagree when people say he'll start playing deeper as he gets older, as incredible as he is you can't afford to have a passenger in the big games in a midfield position.
1-0 Barca at HT. Seville are not a threat at all.
Barca really badly need to get an upgrade on Suarez. He's absolutely finished.
Well, even if he's the best, no one can turn into a game and decide "I'm going beastmode today and win the whole thing" and just do it.
In crunch games he might give his 100%, but there's 21 more players in the field, even if he wants to play at full force it doesn't mean that he's going to be in his best version or that the enemy players can't outplay him, that situation is a different to this one.
Have you been watching him this season? He's the reason Barca are in the position he's at. He's not going to be running around all action for 90 mins but he makes his moments more than count.
He'll absolutely be able to play deeper as he gets older, his vision should still be immense, he can play as a Xavi type role.
Barca have been playing 3 games every 7 days lately, let him conserve his energy, I think he's looked good when he does have the ball. He should already have had a couple assists by now.
It is not about people remembering his performance, it is about a decline in his workrate and the speed he plays with when he has the ball.
It might be a very good point about regulating his form, resting so that he can play every week for an entire year and that isnt a bad thing.
However I have noticed that he doesnt seem up for it as he used to, he never has been a prime Suarez battler but he runs significantly less than himself a few years ago. There isnt much denying that and with his ability it seems a bit of a waste at time, whilst it might be better for him long term.
Positives: only 1:0.
Toto needs to change something in midfield. He should let Pizarro man-mark Messi and allow n'Zonzi to play as regular #6.
Toto needs to change something in midfield. He should let Pizarro man-mark Messi and allow n'Zonzi to play as regular #6.
Totally agreed. It seems people have forgotten the second highest goal scorer is own goals
Strange how Suarez has fallen off, he looks a totally different player.
Only 30 years old as well.
Only 30 years old as well.
Im not saying he should, but this is really an extreme. I dont think I have ever seen a player walking so much, it doesnt have to be black or white I think. He can well conserve energy and pick his moments whilst playing with a bit more pace in his game.
Yeah, Suarez is a big mistery. Not that old for a striker.
Why? He played pretty well so far, some lovely combinations and assisted the goal. This Suarez is still one of the best 3 strikers in the world despite being nowhere near what he used to be.
Who possibly? Dybala would be perfect.
I hate the 4-4-2 but we knew this would happen with Valverde - not having Dembouz doesn't help. I thought they looked good and just been a bit unlucky on the finishes. I do love Semedo, he's really what has been missing at RB
He’s not in the top 3 right now that’s a horrendous statement.
For one, Ronaldo is a striker. Harry Kane better, lewandowski, aguero etc
he wouldn't. Dybala would just play in the areas where Messi is already operating. They need someone who is willing and able to complement Messi. That means a lot of unselfish running. Kane would be great (for every team).
I completely disagree with that, it takes a lot more to play the Xavi role than vision. Workrate, good positioning defensively, etc. Messi playing here in the big games would create a huge hole in midfield for the opponents to explore. He can play there in the easy games, but imo there's no way he'll be successfully playing there in the big CL games.
I'd posit playing style and an intense playing schedule dated back to Crystanbul.
Ronaldo isn't a striker and he's better than Aguero. I only have Lewandowski and Kane ahead of him right now.
Dzeko too.
Depending ofcourse where you want Messi to play, currently Messi plays more central but he could still come from the right if Barcelona get a good playmaker in midfield.
Cavani too surely atm? On basis of this and last season.
#Messi600
Hmmm maybe. Pretty sure if they switched teams they'd be doing about the same but on current form Cavani is probably slightly ahead.
Thats ofcourse a fair point, PSG's attack is far more lively with the young and hungry Neymar/Mbappe.
Sevilla slightly better now. Pizarro as #6, with banega playing deeper, while n'Zonzi is pushing up as b2b.
Navas is so useless.
70% of time spent walking in a game 5 years ago
How much does Messi run in a match? Mind you, this was a friendly, while Messi was positioned a bit differently than he usually is for Barcelona. Messi played the entire 90 minutes, clocking up a total of 8.5 kilometers. Most of the time? You guessed it – walking, for about 70% of the match.
http://sportige.com/lionel-messi-08-2012-distance-covered-workrate-adidas-chip/
Because it was a friendly? Not at all, he was already doing that in 2012 with Guardiola
Pedro was their hardest worker, averaging 11.5km per game, while Xavi ranked second at a modest 11.3. Lionel Messi put in an shockingly low 8.2km for each 90 minutes played, but this was according to Pep Guardiola's game plan
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/ed...un-more-than-everyone-else-possession-doesnt-
2011, Messi was already the player with less kilometers in FC Barcelona, running half than a 31 y/o Xavi
The average Barça player runs about 9-10 km per match (Xavi and Alves run more than 12 every match). How much would you expect Messi to run? Well, he runs in between 6 and 7 kilometers per match, which is half what Xavi runs, and is also way below average against his other teammates.
He just doesn't play hard every minute of the game.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ou-might-not-like-about-the-fc-barcelona-star
I swear, sometimes I don't know if you people put football games to sleep through them and only catch the goals, or if you just would argue anything to prove a point of the last thing you've said even if it's wrong in every way.
This has been a known fact for years, back when Pep took control of the team Messi had always carried a "easily injured" fame and Guardiola got criticized for using him every game, but somehow Messi stopped being injured while playing more games (because he started regulating his workrate, even tho people said it was doping, something that Leo sued for and just won 100k this same week btw).
Someone has stopped Messi 
Some pace on Semedo, fecking knew we should have signed him.
I'd like our chances against this Barcelona. They are very vulnerable on the break.
You could see that happening.
1-1!
Paulinho on to save the day now.