Friday 8 November 2013

“Barca needs a no. 9″ – 4 things we learnt from Barcelona vs Milan

Messi-Neymar Milan 
Barca needs a no ’9′
There is no doubting Messi’s abilty, while Neymar has potential and can win games on his day. Also, in Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Busquets, Barca have a midfield with loads of creativity. But for all their hardwork, they seem to be lacking that Samuel Eto’o kind of striker. An Eto (of old), Lewandowski or a Robin van Persie, are ball playing strikers, who are tactically good and can finish half-chances. If Barca can add someone in their mould in January, then they’ll be hard to beat.

Neymar will come good
Sceptism greeted the arrival of the 57m euros man to Barca, because of his lack of experience in European football. But barely three months on, Neymar is beginning to show why he’s been called the ‘new Pele’ back home, scoring against both Madrid teams and creating several assists. His overall play too, even against Milan was good and he deserved a goal. He only needs to hit a purple patch in front of goal and the Ballon d’Or will become a reality.

Milan is a shadow of itself
The match ended 3-1 in favour of Barca, but I dare say the result flatters Milan a little. Watching Milan play Barca in recent times – no matter how poor they were – showed they were more than a match for Barca, but the Milan of yesterday is dead, waiting to be buried. The hallmark of Italian teams has always been their tactical soundness, alongside their defensive solidity but the Milan of yesterday was very poor.

Messi is back!
As if he ever left. The Barcelona number 10 had gone 4 games wiithout a goal and the press were already talking about a crisis, when in truth injuries had taken its toll on the young man. In addition, it’s apparent that Messi is not at 100 percent yet. Against Milan, he still wasn’t vintage Messi, but we saw few of his runs and bursts including two goals to cap it off. Expect more if he stays injury-free.

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