AS A PLAYER routinely described as the greatest footballer in history, Lionel Messi will naturally be judged by the highest standards.
So perhaps it was no surprise that, even after delivering a match-winning brace this evening, there will be a meticulous level of scrutiny and questioning of his performance in certain quarters.
After seeing him produce an influential display at Celtic Park, the RTÉ panellists and Eamon Dunphy in particular were not prepared to praise the Argentine superstar unequivocally.
Dunphy suggested that, in recent weeks, Messi and Barcelona has looked “weary,” adding that they are a team in decline and putting forward the theory that their star man has been deeply affected by the recent tax scandal and may leave the club as a result.
Most goals in 2016 (club & country) 54 – MESSI (57 apps) 49 – Ronaldo (52) 47 – Suarez (52) 41 – Ibrahimovic (51) 41 – Lewandowski (55)#UCLpic.twitter.com/0Tme0OWoRs
There’s no doubt that Messi has changed as a footballer. He has developed into more of a playmaker in recent times, taking up deeper positions in an attempt to influence the play more regularly.
There were also times tonight where he tried and failed to beat opponents, indicating he may not quite have the same blistering pace of days gone by, notwithstanding the fact that there will always inevitably be occasional instances when this habitual risk-taker comes a cropper.
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Yet the stats suggest that, weariness or not, Messi remains arguably as effective as ever. In 57 appearances for club and country in 2016, he has 54 goals — more than anyone else in Europe, including nearest rivals Cristiano Ronaldo (49), Luis Suarez (47) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (41).
2. City’s shaky defence more vulnerable against the top teams
Yet the match was not without negatives for Pep Guardiola’s side. In 21 matches under the Catalan coach, City have earned just five clean sheets.
Tonight, not for the first time, John Stones at fault for a goal. The young England international was not strong enough in the build up as the German side took the lead through Raffael’s powerful strike.
Luckily for Stones, David Silva ultimately bailed him out, as he slid home from Kevin De Bruyne’s well-executed cross.
Therefore, they got away with it tonight and will do on many more occasions given the relative weakness of the Premier League, but against the top European sides, Guardiola will surely be concerned about his error-prone backline.
3. Arsenal badly missing Cazorla
Nick Potts
Nick Potts
In 10 matches this season with Santi Cazorla starting in the team, Arsenal have won eight and drawn two.
Without him, excluding League Cup games, they have won two, drawn four and lost one.
The 31-year-old was missing again tonight, as Arsenal suffered another disappointing result – a 2-2 draw at home to PSG, which means they will most likely have to settle for second place in the Champions League group stages and likely face a tougher last-16 match as a result.
Cazorla does not attract headlines in the same way as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but he is arguably just as crucial, given the balance and technical brilliance he provides the team with.
News yesterday that the talented Spanish midfielder has been ruled out until Christmas is consequently a significant blow to Arsene Wenger and his underperforming side.
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Is Messi weary and more Champions League talking points
1. Are Messi and Barca weary?
AS A PLAYER routinely described as the greatest footballer in history, Lionel Messi will naturally be judged by the highest standards.
So perhaps it was no surprise that, even after delivering a match-winning brace this evening, there will be a meticulous level of scrutiny and questioning of his performance in certain quarters.
After seeing him produce an influential display at Celtic Park, the RTÉ panellists and Eamon Dunphy in particular were not prepared to praise the Argentine superstar unequivocally.
Dunphy suggested that, in recent weeks, Messi and Barcelona has looked “weary,” adding that they are a team in decline and putting forward the theory that their star man has been deeply affected by the recent tax scandal and may leave the club as a result.
There’s no doubt that Messi has changed as a footballer. He has developed into more of a playmaker in recent times, taking up deeper positions in an attempt to influence the play more regularly.
There were also times tonight where he tried and failed to beat opponents, indicating he may not quite have the same blistering pace of days gone by, notwithstanding the fact that there will always inevitably be occasional instances when this habitual risk-taker comes a cropper.
Yet the stats suggest that, weariness or not, Messi remains arguably as effective as ever. In 57 appearances for club and country in 2016, he has 54 goals — more than anyone else in Europe, including nearest rivals Cristiano Ronaldo (49), Luis Suarez (47) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (41).
2. City’s shaky defence more vulnerable against the top teams
Man City’s 1-1 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach meant they qualified for the Champions League last-16 with a game to spare.
Yet the match was not without negatives for Pep Guardiola’s side. In 21 matches under the Catalan coach, City have earned just five clean sheets.
Tonight, not for the first time, John Stones at fault for a goal. The young England international was not strong enough in the build up as the German side took the lead through Raffael’s powerful strike.
Luckily for Stones, David Silva ultimately bailed him out, as he slid home from Kevin De Bruyne’s well-executed cross.
Therefore, they got away with it tonight and will do on many more occasions given the relative weakness of the Premier League, but against the top European sides, Guardiola will surely be concerned about his error-prone backline.
3. Arsenal badly missing Cazorla
In 10 matches this season with Santi Cazorla starting in the team, Arsenal have won eight and drawn two.
Without him, excluding League Cup games, they have won two, drawn four and lost one.
The 31-year-old was missing again tonight, as Arsenal suffered another disappointing result – a 2-2 draw at home to PSG, which means they will most likely have to settle for second place in the Champions League group stages and likely face a tougher last-16 match as a result.
Cazorla does not attract headlines in the same way as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but he is arguably just as crucial, given the balance and technical brilliance he provides the team with.
News yesterday that the talented Spanish midfielder has been ruled out until Christmas is consequently a significant blow to Arsene Wenger and his underperforming side.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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Analysis UEFA Champions League Lionel Messi Santi Cazorla Talking Points Barcelona Celtic