Lionel Messi’s failure to have any impact against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night and coach Gerardo Martino’s inability to do anything about it, dominated the inquest into Barcelona’s dismal Champions League exit.
‘He ran only 1 mile more than goalkeeper Pinto’ ran one headline as post-match statistics revealed the Argentine had covered 4.2 miles during the game – half that of AtleticomatchwinnerKoke.
‘We weren’t really interested in Leo having a lot of participation in the game’ were the words that will come back to haunt Martino after the 1-0 defeat. He had been asked why Messi saw so little of the ball in Atletico’s win.
‘We really only wanted him to have one-on-one opportunities down the right-hand side,’ said the coach effectively ripping up the Pep Guardiola blueprint that has made MessiBarca’s fulcrum over the last six years.
The coach also underwhelmed when asked about the pattern of games against Atletico Madrid this season. In five matches Barca have scored twice and been unable to beat Diego Simeone’s team. ‘I see no reason why the next match will be any different,’ said Martino to the exasperation of most Barcelona supporters.
That next game against Atletico Madrid will be Barca’s last match of the domestic season and one they will probably need to win to retain their title.
Messi has failed to scored against Atletico in the five matches played and finished woefully from several opportunities in the Calderon last night but the Argentine is the least of Barcelona’s problems.
They need to rebuild in defensive and goalkeeping positions but are prevented from doing so by their year-long transfer ban. Supporters will now put the club under huge pressure to brzing in a new coach or even call elections and vote in a new president.
Only a win in next week’s Spanish Cup Final will calm their supporters, but with Gerard Pique struggling for fitness and Victor Valdes definitely out their defensive frailties will mean they start the game as clear underdogs.
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