#1 Valencia maintained their defensive shape, but could not stop Messi
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It seems that Messi is single-handedly carrying Barca this season
Valencia played with a 4-4-2 formation that became 4-4-1-1 as soon as they lost possession, and maintained their defensive shape almost throughout the match.
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It is very difficult to do so against a team like Barca, who keep playing short and probing passes inside the opposition half. Moreover, Messi keeps falling back to the middle third to confuse the opposition defenders and thereby creates space for his teammates.
However, the Valencia defence performed creditably against the much-vaunted Barca attack and their goalkeeper also made some very good saves.
However, all their efforts were not good enough to stop Messi, who scored yet another brace to rescue his team.
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Messi has now scored 29 goals in 27 matches this season and is carrying Barca almost single-handedly.
However, other Barca forwards like Luis Suarez and Philipe Coutinho would have to step up their game against stronger opponents like Real Madrid, who are going to face Barca thrice in the next month.
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About the author
Subhadeep Roy
Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.
Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.
Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.
Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.