BarrileteCosmico wrote:This is what happens when Xavi and Iniesta doesn't play. Messi feels more pressure to lead the team in the absence of those leaders and it gets to him. As his Argentina experience shows, his best performances and attitude come when the responsibility is shared. Anyways, not his first spout with Villa, and Thiago was wrong to shoot.

I'm getting concerned that out of the last five games or so we've only won one or two convincingly. Not against Granada, Osasuna, Valencia, Spartak... only Getafe really. I'm glad we have 15/15, but the performances haven't impressed me.

The best thing about the match was keeping a clean sheet. Only the second one of the season.

Yeah... the pressure was observable from Messi.. Usually i put my money on OVER in the total number of goals but since Barca is not scoring well recently, i put it on UNDER... it was worth it.

Still, congratulations Barcelona for keeping a clean sheet. I hope you do even well in the next games or else this season might not go well in your way.

What an intense game, Granada goal keeper having the game of his life, the ball just wouldn't go in. And the one defender who blocked at least 4-5 almost certain goal scoring situations. Great strike from Xavi to win the game. Valdes with couple crucial 1on1 saves. Messi is finally looking lively, good game also.

Song was a good surprise. Mad tackle after tackle though his positioning was definately questionable. Passing was reasonable.

Sanchez was sound. Wasn't one of his greatest performances though wasn't one of his worst either. He managed to beat his man a few times and put in a cross and didn't turn over possession like he has been doing this season thus far.

Fabregas played sound. He looks better without all these attacking runs and Barca can actually control the game better... Some wayward passes though a decent performance as a creative performance. Still needs improvement

Messi didn't look like himself. I guess everyone can't play perfect every single game though at least one of his 6 chacnes should have been taken. Fab, Thiago and Xavi should have also taken at least some of their chances.

Thiago had a sound game. Didn't look like his normal self though he has just come back from injury so I don't blame him.

Love this new formation Tito plays when he needs goals. Plays a 3-4-4 or a 4-2-4 with Busquests playing as a centreback. Can't quite work it out though it definately is a great formation to use to get goals...

free_cat wrote:I agree about Messi. What the *bleep* was that argument with Villa and Thiago?
Shameful. Hope his father/mommy/Tito/someone takes him down to earth.

I thought it was pretty obvious that was because Messi was waving Villa to pass the ball faster when there was a great space to score, not after he made couple pointless moves. Messi was correct in giving that feedback. Couldn't see any arguments with Thiago?

jiopsi wrote:

free_cat wrote:I agree about Messi. What the *bleep* was that argument with Villa and Thiago?
Shameful. Hope his father/mommy/Tito/someone takes him down to earth.

I thought it was pretty obvious that was because Messi was waving Villa to pass the ball faster when there was a great space to score, not after he made couple pointless moves. Messi was correct in giving that feedback. Couldn't see any arguments with Thiago?

I agree but, Messi shouldn't have made so much of a big deal about it, it was shameful and I really didn't like seeing it. Thiago shouldn't have taken that shot, but again, I think Messi should not look to get into an squabbles over missed chances considering that he spills most of our chances (well this game is a prime example). He's getting frustrated too easily.

I think it's the frustration of not playing like he normally does plus those tackles towards Messi was rather frustrating to watch imagine how pissed off he felt.

Perhaps Messi was right with the criticism to Villa and Thiago, but those are not manners.

No Valdes, no 3 pts last night

Maybe Messi overdid it but those arguements happends ALL THE TIME. Even Puyol has done it to Pique and they are best friends...