A disappointing week for the Catalans would be putting it lightly—not by any measure by the number of victories we had, but by how we gained those victories. A 4-1 victory romp against Getafe meant spirits were high in the Nou Camp. Believe it or not, the Catalans almost lost to Moskva in the CL group stage.It was a late comeback that meant Barca won 3-2 with Messi scoring a brace again. Against Granada we went on to win 2-0, but that game would certainly count among one of the best league games, Clasico’s notwithstanding.
Nervy night against Spartak
On Wednesday, Tello was spectacular as he fired the hosts into a lead just 13 minutes into the game.The hosts, managed by the ex-Valencia manager Unai Emery, came back with an own goal by Dani Alves who turned Emenike’s cross into his own net after a fumble and let-up by Song.
The hosts were stunned as Romulo scored on yet another counter attack, putting the visitors at the lead. However, some sound linking up meant Messi scored a brace off Tello and Sanchez crosses, saving the hosts’ blushes. Pique limped off injured and that meant Tito’s adamant strategy not to bulk up the defense left the team without a single recognized center back. A header off Alexis ‘assist meant the hosts ended the game 3-2.
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Despair against Granada
On this Saturday, the Catalans played Granada. It was this fixture in March of 2012 that catapulted Messi to the Catalan hall of fame, making him the highest goal scorer ever after he had scored a hat-trick. The fixture was supposed to be easy and the pundits had predicted an easy day for Barcelona. However that was not to be, as the hosts were denied waves of chances before Xavi scored an exceptional goal and Messi managed a deflect off Borja Gomez to make the score sheet read 2-0 to Barcelona.
Nothing wrong you would say, when you read what is above. Under that score-sheet and victories lies a disturbing trend of Messi demanding his own way. We have always known there were tensions between Messi and Villa, however as is customary, none of that is exhibited on field.
In this rare display, Messi, who is usually (unusually) calm exchanged some hot words after he adjudged a chance to have been in vain, after Villa attempted to score by himself. I assume some background would be needed here to perhaps partly justify what followed. Granada have played Barcelona 18 times in history and never won. Yes,that’s right, lost all 18 times. Tensions were high — wave after wave of Barcelona attacks produced no results; seldom have the stats been so paradoxical to the results.
Barcelona started without Iniesta, Xavi, Pique and Puyol. Granada were playing without six first-team players who were serving suspensions or were injured. DaniAlves thought he had set up Messi, only to see his shot to Messi parried away for a corner. Fabregas unleashed a left-footer in the 23rd minute only to see Tonio, the Granada goal-keeper make a left-handed save. Guilherme Siqueira latched on to a ball on the hour mark and would have scored a goal after beating the make shift defence, but for Valdes saving the goal.
Villa managed a decent shot a few minutes from half time, but the goalkeeper did well in keeping it out. Adriano’s ball in the 66th minute looked to hook Messi, but was again thwarted away for a corner. A wave of such missed chances later, Xavi Hernandez, substituted for Thiago, scored an absolute beauty after unleashing a shot from the outside of the boot that nestled into the top corner. The Catalans got another one as Granada deflected one of Messi’s crosses into their own net with Pedro lurking.
The defense seemed nonexistent on the team sheet as Tito put in all he had. Starting the game with Song, Mascherano, Alves and Adriano, Tito then shifted to a 3 man defence. Substituting Villa by Pedro, and Adriano by Tello, to add some more teeth to the wing offensive. Virtually the whole game was played in the visitor’s half, but each time Granada latched onto a ball, they looked en-route to scoring a goal, and to say it was luck that kept them from scoring would be an understatement.
And perhaps it’s time we Cules think if all the glory we heap on the Flea is really worth it. Statistically he has been exceptional, scoring more individual goals than most clubs put together, worldwide. As a world-class player,I expect him to have certain aspirations, but to extend those aspirations to question his own team-mate’s actions is perhaps, going over the top. It is customary for Barcelona to allow him to score from all penalties and route all balls through his False 9 position. He has perhaps more say in club matters than most players, except perhaps the Captain Puyol himself. And I would expect every player to buckle under pressure. However, uncharacteristically, he chose to get into a fight with the opposition captain as well. As a true fan, as someone who idolizes him, I feel let down.
Tito played Song in defense, considering both Pique and Puyol were missing the action.I would consider Busquets a better player in that position, however Song is undoubtedly better at defending set-pieces. Mascherano seems only to grow worse, being caught off position almost every time the opposition has scored a goal. The defense is in shambles, no doubt, and we need younger blood. Fontas and Bartra should be played more often. Montoya has proved his mettle, and I assume he shall be played right-back more often than not. Tello has put to rest all speculations after having been instrumental a couple of games.
Let us accept, all is not well in the Camp Nou. Locker room issues are showing on the field, the defense is badly in need of an overhaul,and we need to move away from that clichéd tactic of routing all balls through Messi. Villa will be played more often, I am sure, and the fact that he is an excellent striker is beyond contention. Barcelona’s chances in the domestic and league campaigns depend on a solid defense, and cohesion in the team, on each player playing to his team-mates advantages, and firepower at the scoring end.
