Re: Match Day Thread 20/21

[danyjr]

Messi said it best in his emotional interview with Goal: "there has not been a project at this football club for a long time".

Unfortunately Messi was part of a problem he didn't want to be. He brought so much success to this team, and he is such a fantastic player that he masked Barça's mismanagement for years. While other teams improved with long term projects, Barcelona just got worse and worse.

Take a look at the squad Barcelona had and compare it to the squad from yesterday:



Bear in mind Piqué, Busquets and Messi were all young and at their peak back then. Plus a world class coach in Guardiola (something Barcelona have not had since he left 10 years ago). The only improvement over that squad is Ter Stegen, which I frankly don't understand why he doesn't want to leave this mess of a club.

Let us look at the money down the drain on clowns like Griezmann, Coutinho and Dembélé (half of us didn't even know who Dembélé was and suddenly the guy was worth over €100 million). It was actually sad to see Mbappé who cost almost the same as Dembélé running riots where these clowns were losing balls and making wrong decision after wrong decision all game. A club legend like Dani Alves left and he was replaced with a makeshift RB in Sergi Roberto. Alba has been playing constantly for years at LB and he's run out of steam. He's also old, and you have Junior freaking Firpo to replace him? The guy belongs to Segúnda ffs Busquets still the undisputed DM despite being exposed on so many occasions due to his lack of athleticism. I could go on and on.

Messi needs players he can trust. In this team he trusts only Alba, Busquets, Pedri and maybe de Jong. The rest he gives the ball to and they squander every opportunity. They make wrong decisions. They break the attacking rhythm. They have no idea what to do. It was hilarious seeing Barça crossing balls upfield with Puig there trying to head the ball last night. What kind of shitshow is that?

There is a talk of why Messi doesn't run behind the lines like he has prime Fàbregas or Iniesta behind him. Would you make runs if you looked around and he saw Pedri and Griezmann behind you?

[Winter is Coming]

Yup people seem to be blind to see the massive drop in quality, while some youngsters look promising they still have ways to go, but with these poor coaches many won’t reach their potential either.

[FennecFox7]

The biggest thing here to take away is messi wanted to leave and that abomination of a board you guys have didn’t let him go.

Now he’s going to walk on a free.

I just think there should’ve been some planning; around an aging messi, you’d ideally put athletes and athletic players all over the pitch. Of course, the board wouldn’t do that.

[FennecFox7]

You know; it’s insane seeing messi fans basically insult a guy who bleeds Barcelona and is a forum OG. Alex is a day 1 cule man. Times like this remind me why I don’t post much in general. While frauds like Cas get away with completely wrong predictions over and over again

You have a big potential to be in hollywood. He bashes messi and as a ronaldo fanboy you enjoy it. And being aware of it he sometimes praises ronaldo to please his goallegacy fans. Is there anything we dont know?

Keep lying and contributing absolutely nothing as per usual

This is what I mean when I say when Messi presses, defends, and plays like he can, he's just incredible. and if he can sustain that Barca walk the league. No question

Wonder who posted this at the beginning of the season and has defended Messi countless times?

See; I'm a fan of football first, my country second, and Madrid last.

You have allegiance to Messi and Messi only; I'm sure you'll be gone as soon as he's gone.

[Myesyats]

Xavi and Iniesta weren't very athletic either but I guess it was fine then because everyone just parked the bus by default against us and didn't even bother to press. That being said Messi is a financial burden but performance wise clearly he still thrives in the right environment which means the blame should be directed toward the planning around him from top of management branch to the very bottom and not at one individual player.

If they signed the right players to compliment Messi we'd be somewhat fine. But the transfer policy through the last 6 years has been appaling to say the least. Around €400m on 3 players who completely do not fit in our system is only the tip of the iceberg

[Cruijf]

You know; it’s insane seeing messi fans basically insult a guy who bleeds Barcelona and is a forum OG. Alex is a day 1 cule man. Times like this remind me why I don’t post much in general. While frauds like Cas get away with completely wrong predictions over and over again

For the record; I don’t think messi is the biggest problem Barcelona have.. but there is truth to the fact that the game is different and you have to pull your weight defensively. Off the ball movement isn’t just defensive. It’s offensive too; making runs behind the defensive line, creating space from your marker, it’s a completely different ball game at the top level and it matters a LOT. Busquets is another big problem for you guys in that regard, guy is washed as hell.

I don't think anyone disagrees that Messi's off the ball movement is a weakness. The issue with Alex is how he obsessively fixates on it at every turn, and somehow thinks it is responsible for every loss. I really don't understand how someone can watch PSG stroll through Barca's abysmal defence and non-existent midfield and think Messi is the main issue. It's like watching a child drive a car into a tree and complaining that the car's safety certificate was out of date. Yes it's an issue, but it is so far from being the main issue that it's almost comical to fixate on.

This all besides the fact that Messi clearly still offers more to the team, despite his flaws, than anyone else. Take away Messi and Barca is much much worse, as we've already seen multiple times when he's come off the bench and changed the game.

[BarcaLearning]

Just reading up, no PSG didnt beat us just because of Mbappe. They out played us in many areas, including tactically, physically, and created loads of chance. It still surprises me how some opinions can differ so much when we are all watching the same game?

Love that quote by Pep, that great players at their best by doing simple things to them constantly. And it really goes to show he Messi has had to adjust to many changes and players around him over the past few seasons. Im sure its vice versa, but its a wonder he still does these amazing things. But when up against a top team like this game, hes just not allowed to play his simple routine things like he can do in the La Liga, like pass to Alba for example. PSG so countered that easily. I think Poch and PSG has to get a lot of credit for that as well.

[alexjanosik]

This game comes down to what I have been saying for the past 9 years. Modern football has no passengers. Modern football demands 11 players attack and defend. If you have 1 guy who has no off the ball game and try to come up with tactics to mask that; you are going to get exposed on the big stage. If we want to be reckoned with on the big stage again; then we need to play the modern way.
Case in point Mbappe. He is a superstar of the game and yet look at his off the ball game. Immense off the ball. You can't have a guy who earns $555m, does jack all on the pitch, walks less than my grandma and expect to be relevant in the CL.

RM won 3 CL with Ronaldo doing that bascially, one of the greatest manager and innovates in the game Pep whos team are known for high workrate, pressure and intensity was desperate to bring Messi to City, Mbappe who's workrate your priasing who I believe Poch has installed in him has been speaking about Messi to PSG, yet you believe he isn't cut out for modern football?

I believe at times most people didn't watch us as much for 08-12, Messi workrate was slightly better due to age and youth, but he wasn't this insane off the ball running around type player some people believed him to be. Pep himself over the years has dropped hints without digging for the qoutes, he's mention how every player EXCEPT Messi has to listen to him, he spoke about Messi and moving to false 9 due to his lack of defense/workrate on the wings and he spoke about Messi being lethal in the final third which is his best area. Modern game is about postional play, exploiting space, movement, it isn't done by one player, but everyone and its always coached, this isn't on Messi.

The issue is we have simply recurited from players to managers poorly I mean who starts a 35 year old Pique just returning from injuries? And a past it Busquets, you seem to be so easy on them, who have done sh!t all compared to Messi over the years, but your first to sh!t on him the second you get the chance.

As a fan I won't deny I have been upset with Messi over the years, watching him scrub it up at times, but over the years I realize he's human, last year against Bayern he was playing with some heart, put in a good shift at the 25/30 min mark we were down 4-1. Him showing that isn't going to magically change the score, we have a group of mentally fragile players, and poor quality mix it in with dud coaches and you get what we've been seeing for the past 4-5 years.

CR is nothing like Messi when it comes to an off the ball game. He doesnt defend yes but still does much much more than Messi.
But if you exclude defense, he actually has a terrific off the ball game when his team has the ball. One of the best if not the best in the world.
When we have the ball, Messi sia lways coming towards the ball, dropping into CM and forcing others out of position. CR moves away from the ball into space when his team have the ball. Messi moves towards the ball and destroys whatever little space we have. And the less said about his movement when we are on the counter the better. The lazy bum is always behind the ball. Now compare to CR's movement when his team are on a counter. If you think CR and Messi are the same off the ball, then all due respect I have nothing to say to you.

And as to Pep and Poch wanting Messi, no way in hell. Or when hell freezes over. Its a vanity move for the sheikhs wanting to sign Messi. Both Pep and Poch know that Messi is a mental midget who would significantly weaken their teams. I can guarantee that either team would be significantly worse with Messi. And you can dig this quote up in a years time.
Fact is, he isnt cut out for the highest levels of the game anymore. And as I keep saying, the game has changed in 10 years. Please do me a favor and watch a top game from 2011 and compare it to a top game from today. The difference is night and day. If you cant observe the difference, then I have nothing further to say.

[alexjanosik]

Lenglet loses his marked man on a free-kick: it is Messi's fault.
Dembélé fails to track back Kurzawa on the counter: it is Messi's fault.
Griezmann and Dembélé missing two very good chances: it is Messi's fault.
Piqué playing the most difficult game of the season right after a 4 month injury and obviously looking out of sorts: it is Messi's fault.

Thankfully we've seen Barcelona play without Messi this season on a few occasions when Koeman has decided to give him a rest against weak opponents. And surprise surprise they look even worse. This team cannot penetrate a cheap hooker on spring break without Messi's creativity.

Zero creativity. Leaky midfield. Unathletic team. Mental midgets. Problems literally ALL OVER the pitch and yet some potato farmer with zero understanding of football is singling Messi out. Alright babushka

Zero understanding of football.While you had your head up Messi's ass, I was calling him out and saying he posed systemic issues for 9 years. Thats right. 9 years. Ever since 2012 when I started observing the faults and issues in his game. Guess what punk, I have been proven right again and again and again.
We win the PSG game if the superstars of the two teams were exchanged. We win against PSG if Mbappe played for us and the mental midget played for PSG.
Dont even bother with a response. Cauase you are probably going to say that a team with IdrisGaaaye, Marquinhos, his jobber CB partner, his jobber LB and RB partner, some Argentine no good hack named Paredes, Moise Keane (freaking who), jobber, jobber yada yada is 4-1 better than us.

[alexjanosik]

I am sick of listening to this old record that is being played day after day. I wonder sometimes is that a human or a bot. I mean how can a human constantly speak of the same thing again and again. I don see anyone here in support of messi anymore, then whom are you fighting to. Get yourself a life man.

This team is average. including everyone. No elite players. The coach is clueless, uses a defender who did not play a game since November and was not supposed to be ready for this game (not that it would have made any difference though). He leaves the experienced player in a crucial game for someone who cant run faster than the referee and another who is fighting to show that he is elite.

Not at all impressed with Pedri and De Jong. Pedri may reach elite level someday since he has high potential but right now he has dominating performance only against minnows. same goes for De Jong. The guy at one point was waiting for the pass just standing near own defence line while Mbappe came running behind from miles to intercept. These guys don't even have a mental spirit to play big games.

What should I speak about Dembele. It is such a pain to watch him play near the box. Griezman on the other hand was deceiving everyone by scoring meaningless goals. No expectation from him.

Funny some people thought we have a good chance to this game. Absolutely no clue of the quality of this team. We are in the top 4 in la Liga because its a mediocre league. Even if we would get a lesser opponent like port or others, the outcome would not have been different. Thats why the earlier we get eliminated the better.

I have been right for 9 years. And I continue to be right. And I will make another successful prediction. That we will be much better in the CL once the mental midget leaves us. The very next season. And that the loser team which gets him will be much worse off. You can quote me on this. I just hope the mental midget gets thrown out next season.

[alexjanosik]

You know; it’s insane seeing messi fans basically insult a guy who bleeds Barcelona and is a forum OG. Alex is a day 1 cule man. Times like this remind me why I don’t post much in general. While frauds like Cas get away with completely wrong predictions over and over again

For the record; I don’t think messi is the biggest problem Barcelona have.. but there is truth to the fact that the game is different and you have to pull your weight defensively. Off the ball movement isn’t just defensive. It’s offensive too; making runs behind the defensive line, creating space from your marker, it’s a completely different ball game at the top level and it matters a LOT. Busquets is another big problem for you guys in that regard, guy is washed as hell.

I don't think anyone disagrees that Messi's off the ball movement is a weakness. The issue with Alex is how he obsessively fixates on it at every turn, and somehow thinks it is responsible for every loss. I really don't understand how someone can watch PSG stroll through Barca's abysmal defence and non-existent midfield and think Messi is the main issue. It's like watching a child drive a car into a tree and complaining that the car's safety certificate was out of date. Yes it's an issue, but it is so far from being the main issue that it's almost comical to fixate on.

This all besides the fact that Messi clearly still offers more to the team, despite his flaws, than anyone else. Take away Messi and Barca is much much worse, as we've already seen multiple times when he's come off the bench and changed the game.

And as I have said myself, the midfield and defense issues start from the front. Please tell me which other team plays with a 10 who does jack off the ball and is successful in the world right now. We have such a system. And then we try to work around it. You tell me that PSG sliced through our midfield and defense. Why? I will tell you what has happened the past 9 years. He drops in areas where he shouldnt forcing other players to vacate that position. He does that to the RW, the DM, the RB and the 2 CM's. Sometimes even the LW. And you expect us to be defensively solid against the top teams.
But you have your likes even though I have been right for 9 years and my predictions have come true time and time again. While you have been wrong. SO I will throw down the same challenge to you. We will be instantly better in the CL once we throw out this mental midget. No more humiliations. And the team he moves to will be instantly worse. Willing to bet hotshot.

[alexjanosik]

Xavi and Iniesta weren't very athletic either but I guess it was fine then because everyone just parked the bus by default against us and didn't even bother to press. That being said Messi is a financial burden but performance wise clearly he still thrives in the right environment which means the blame should be directed toward the planning around him from top of management branch to the very bottom and not at one individual player.

If they signed the right players to compliment Messi we'd be somewhat fine. But the transfer policy through the last 6 years has been appaling to say the least. Around €400m on 3 players who completely do not fit in our system is only the tip of the iceberg

So a few things here. Xavi and Iniesta werent athletic but they were terrific off the ball. They both ran the most km's in all games they played. Polar opposite of Messi. Plenty of players in the modern game who are very successful despite being not great athletes. Take the players at City. The likes of Silva, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and recently Foden are not great athletes. And yet they are elite. So would Xavi and Iniesta in the modern game as all of the listed players. As they all have terrific off the ball games.

[danyjr]

Lenglet loses his marked man on a free-kick: it is Messi's fault.
Dembélé fails to track back Kurzawa on the counter: it is Messi's fault.
Griezmann and Dembélé missing two very good chances: it is Messi's fault.
Piqué playing the most difficult game of the season right after a 4 month injury and obviously looking out of sorts: it is Messi's fault.

Thankfully we've seen Barcelona play without Messi this season on a few occasions when Koeman has decided to give him a rest against weak opponents. And surprise surprise they look even worse. This team cannot penetrate a cheap hooker on spring break without Messi's creativity.

Zero creativity. Leaky midfield. Unathletic team. Mental midgets. Problems literally ALL OVER the pitch and yet some potato farmer with zero understanding of football is singling Messi out. Alright babushka

Zero understanding of football.While you had your head up Messi's ass, I was calling him out and saying he posed systemic issues for 9 years. Thats right. 9 years. Ever since 2012 when I started observing the faults and issues in his game. Guess what punk, I have been proven right again and again and again.
We win the PSG game if the superstars of the two teams were exchanged. We win against PSG if Mbappe played for us and the mental midget played for PSG.
Dont even bother with a response. Cauase you are probably going to say that a team with IdrisGaaaye, Marquinhos, his jobber CB partner, his jobber LB and RB partner, some Argentine no good hack named Paredes, Moise Keane (freaking who), jobber, jobber yada yada is 4-1 better than us.

Calling Messi a mental midget when Griezmann is playing on the same side

For every 100 Messi rants you've had, you have refused to blame players like Griezmann even once. Do you even realise how ridiculous your arguments are? Nobody in this forum said Messi doesn't need to work harder. We all know his work rate is lacking. That is one thing. Blaming the entire failures of this club on Messi is another thing. And only you are capable of such nonsense.

[alexjanosik]

Not willing to out your foot where your mouth is as I thought.
I repeat. We will instantly become more competitive in the CL once we get rid of him. Easily through to the knockouts and no more humiliations. At most going out by 1 goal. And the team he goes to (City or PSG) will be much worse. City wont win the PL with him and the likes of Gundogan, KDB et all will look like pub players.
Willing to bet hotshot?

[BarcaLearning]

Perhaps we need an extra section just for alex's posts, I mean just scanning the above makes me not wanna visit the Barca section nowadays...

[Myesyats]

We keep repeating ourselves anyway. The team is shit and without messi we probably wouldnt have even gotten out of CL group stage. Our financial situation will not allow for big signings in the near future so prepare for possibly even Europa leauge in the coming seasons unless La masia produces another Xavi+Messi+Iniesta which it won't

Nothing more to add, and if Alex thinks we will suddenly become competitive once Messi leaves than newsflash guy, we will not.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Not willing to out your foot where your mouth is as I thought.
I repeat. We will instantly become more competitive in the CL once we get rid of him. Easily through to the knockouts and no more humiliations. At most going out by 1 goal. And the team he goes to (City or PSG) will be much worse. City wont win the PL with him and the likes of Gundogan, KDB et all will look like pub players.
Willing to bet hotshot?

When this happens many other dinosaurs will also be out of the team, so it's not like you'll have a chance to prove it right. Hard to see Busquets staying in the team past the summer, for instance, or top players not being signed over the summer.

[CM Pep]

I agree with Alex. There's an emotional connect with Messi because I grew up watching him, but I just don't see how he can be called GOAT and also have 8-2, 7-0 etc scorelines and get humiliated more than once in his career.

Seems like he has perfected the art of taking a shower and not getting wet.

Yes, Griezmann, Pique, Busquets all are to be blamed, but at least the way I see it, if you're making the kind of money Messi is, be ready to get most of the blame too.

He's not doing Barca any favors mind you, with the money he is making.

Again, not entirely his fault. If we had someone like Perez, he (or more accurately his team) wouldn't have dicked us around so much to get the kind of money he is right now.

[Myesyats]

Btw i'm unsure why Konrad doesnt get more chances? Hes been great earlier on and probably could do a better job than the frenchies.

[danyjr]

No Griezmann and Barcelona playing much better without that clown in the team. Still a scrub team, but the difference is considerable especially in the final third.

[danyjr]

Griezmann coming in, and already missing two sitters

[BarcaLearning]

He creates or gets into those positions every game though I hope ppl realise that? He misses a lot, but a lot of top strikers do that. Not many strikers can even come close to the amount of chances he makes for himself and others and his all round game.

[Kebab]

As usual the virus goes into hiding and will come back when team loses and talk about messi and only messi

Messi and Dejong was great, Braithwayt looks better than Griezman. he needs a little bit self confidense

[neuro11]

he is probably busy recruiting agents

[danyjr]

The virus?

[BarcaLearning]

axxx the virus? Although luckily it seems most of us are immune and unaffected Just depressing still though whenever it appears loool...

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