Sunday, April 17, 2016

Barcelona need Messi again to his best quickly

The Argentine attacker has struggled in current matches, his dip in kind coinciding with a droop in La Liga and elimination from the Champions League on Wednesday

What has happened to Lionel Messi? The five-time Ballon d'Or winner
has gone lacking in recent weeks and in that time, Barcelona's treble hopes have evaporated. Now they want him again or threat full capitulation in the the rest of the season.

Barcelona have gained solely certainly one of their final five games. That was in opposition to Atletico Madrid in the groups' Champions League quarter-remaining at Camp Nou, a 2-1 success secured solely after Diego Simeone's aspect had been diminished to 10 men. And in any case, it ended up counting for nothing as Atleti won the second leg 2-0 to knock the Blaugrana out of Europe.

Previous to that, Luis Enrique's males drew 2-2 with Villarreal after throwing away a 2-0 lead, then misplaced the Clasico clash 2-1 at dwelling to Actual Madrid and fell again at Anoeta last weekend. Eight points out of 9 dropped, with both Atleti and Madrid now again within the title race and Messi powerless to prevent it.

Despite spending nearly two months on the sidelines earlier in 2015-16, Messi has hit 37 targets for the Catalan membership this term and racked up 15 assists. All of these got here in his first 37 video games in the present marketing campaign, but in the final five fixtures there's little to cheer for the Argentine attacker: no targets, no assists and only five shots on target.

In opposition to Atletico at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, Messi did not muster a single shot on purpose in the ninety minutes and was particularly poor in what was a drained and toothless performance from the entire team.

Some reviews within the Spanish media later claimed the Argentine is injured, however Barcelona confirmed to Purpose that there isn't any harm and the 28-yr-previous has skilled usually for the reason that loss at Atletico.

Aside from that denial, the Catalan club have declined to comment on discuss of alleged physical issues for their finest footballer, but one thing is clearly amiss and Barca will hope he can rediscover his kind sooner reasonably than later in a season that threatens to implode except they can shortly arrest their dramatic decline. 

Requested about Messi's disappointing show against Atletico, Luis Enrique said: "It is unfair to speak about people after a defeat, just like it is after a victory. I won't do that. We aren't in our greatest moment, however I have no complaints in any respect with the players' attitude."

Barca's short squad is a problem and failure to herald Spain striker Nolito in the winter window has had a unfavorable impact as Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez seem fatigued - especially for the reason that latest worldwide break when all three were again in South America to signify their respective nationwide teams.

Nonetheless, Messi is accustomed to playing in every single game. In reality, it is what he demands. Until he is at risk of damage, he always desires to be within the team. And sadly for Luis Enrique, it is now going to be extremely troublesome to find a time to rest him. As a result of Barca host Valencia on Sunday after which face a troublesome trip to Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday - and there's now no margin for error after Atleti and Madrid moved back into competition for the title.


The last time Messi suffered such a slump was in 2013-14 under Gerardo Martino, when the ahead's harm-hit marketing campaign and lack of actual rhythm saw Barca badly disrupted and the Catalans missed out on the key prizes on the finish of the season.

That was a World Cup 12 months and Messi's important goal was to peak in time for the sport's best showpiece in Brazil, when Argentina ultimately missed out by losing to Germany within the ultimate in Rio de Janeiro.

"Every thing I play with the nationwide team is a priority," Messi said in an interview final December. "I have been lucky sufficient to win everything with my club and individually. And I additionally wish to win something with the Seleccion." Nevertheless, he will probably be keen to add some silverware along with his club too before this summer time's Copa America Centenario kicks off within the United States.

Until he can return to his sensible finest in the coming days and weeks, nevertheless, the Catalans may find yourself dropping La Liga and the Copa del Rey as well (with Sevilla mendacity in wait within the closing next month). Last season's treble winners are nobody-man staff, but they nonetheless rely heavily upon their talisman. Without Messi, there isn't any paradise for Barcelona.

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