Messi is tired and lacking power but he wants to recover his best form for the Clásico on Saturday and he has every intention of putting Real Madrid to the sword.
Lionel Messi's extra efforts are starting to show and he arrived at the Bernabéu on Wednesday in good condition and optimistic but tired and lacking the extra burst he so often shows to seperate himself from defenders. The demanding calender Barcelona are currently in the middle of wading their way through is taking its toll and while he helped Barcelona to a victory against Sevilla with a magnificent hat-trick, he wasn't as explosive against Real Madrid.
"He was a little tired, but there's no need to give it anymore importance," those in the dressing room who are close to the player said. "He ran, he fought and he was well marked." The truth is, it was Dembele's speed and Luis Suarez ruthless finishing that dragged Barcelona over the line in the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Messi lost 15 possession in 94 minutes. He dribbled successfully twice but he tried another three that didn't work out and gave 42 successful passes out of the 535 Barcelona gave as a team. OPTA say he tried created two attempts at goal, which was the most by any Barça player.
Messi connected with Busquets 13 times, Sergi Roberto eight times and Dembele three times. But he only found Luis Suarez, who he has an excellent understanding with on the field, twice.
The Argentine wants to recover his best form and play well on Saturday. He knows that he owes Barcelona a massive game in the Clásico and he has an opportunity at the weekend to do just that and it could well end Real Madrid's hopes in LaLiga if he does.
danny7_ida
187
I am a ronaldo fan and I always tell the truth about how I feel about messi except when I am angered by messi fans and I insult him. I know messi is a terrific player. The man is a genius. There are things he does that no other players can do. He is up there amongst the best of the best. The man is made to play football. The way he beats defenders is a mystery. The control on this guy is beyond us. Messi could have a tarantula( spider) in his shorts and still dribble past defender that's how good the magic man is
Suhbrty
87
So critical One match without goal or assists you start criticising him🙄
JimmYhopkinS
62
Wtf, why yo always want Messi to shine everywhere, in Copa game Madrid came well prepared for Messi and left suarez and Dembele unmarked in many occasions, 1st half display of Barca is very poor, but in the 2nd half they made few tactial changes, Messi was man marked by Casemiro often and Modric in few occasions, Messi remained in Mid field and made Casemiro to not participate in defense in Box. In those 2 goals, Suarez nd Dembele are free in the box with only 2 cbs between them, which made them easy to score, RM came only prepared for Messi and they thought they successfully stopped Messi, but the reality is Messi contained 2 of their players in Midfield in 2nd half, which made them left with 4 lined defenders only in their penalty box, which was not enough to stop Suarez nd Dembele.. But when Madrid entered Barca's Box, check the Weight Barca players showed in Defense.. Whenever Messi participated in attack, madrid players rushed in Box, Madrid focused only in Messi and they loss bcoz of Focusing only on Messi.. Football is not only about what a player does with the ball, what he does without Ball is also important..
beraarpan
61
just stop this nonsense...how can a Player play every game with same. pace???...he is always there to save us when everybody fails....why he loses so much energy when his team capable of winning without his major contribution... pls let him....moreover he need rest....
biyabcdmor
53
When I decided to re-watch the match I discovered something. The midfielders #TKroos #LModric #Casemiro seemed to mark him well after he decided to drop deep to correct balls and connect to the fellow forwards #Dembele #Suarez. At times he also played through the left and right wing but that rage of fire wasn't burning hot enough to see that dangerous Leo Messi. We have unfinished business #LaLiga and we still have a long in the Champions league and him being captain thinks of that more than anybody else in the team considering at the beginning of the season he promised to bring all the three trophies home. He always gives players that moraly to win and if he ends up on injury I'm afraid we might not end up with the three trophies. Now we have 95% hand on the Copa de rey, the la liga trophy is still smilling on us but if we end up with Messi injured at these last matches it wont work in our favour. He already knows that he is that saviour when all hope is gone at Barca so the only way to always be there for the team is to avoid injuries. If a match doesnt need that Messi's rage why show it? Suarez and Dembele were in their prime so Messi had to watch his partner in crime and his apprentice murder someone while he is storing the energy for the weekend and other coming matches. I believe am close to the truth if not stating the right situation here.
blankie
33
Good Luck Lionel! 🐐