BR - After 60 games last season, Lionel Messi had 73 goals and 29 assists. It was a season for the ages.
While, on a personal level, he had his best season ever, Barcelona lost their grip on both their La Liga and Champions League titles.
And Messi struggled in the big games, which was unusual for him. Real Madrid held him goalless in both League games and in both legs of their Copa Del Rey quarterfinal.
Is it really possible to score more than 70 goals again?
I can't see him scoring that many again for years. The team is way too dependent on him and now Pep has gone, Tito needs to either copy Pep's tactics or develop something of his own. I honestly think Barca is going to miss Pep massively.
The big players need to perform much better under Tito than they ever did for Pep. Challenging Madrid without Pep's footballing knowledge will be interesting. Madrid has improved massively since the "Special Defeat" in December 2010 (5-0) and have in my opinion surpassed Barca. Madrid without Ronaldo still would of won the league, Barca without Messi would of missed the Champions League places.
Barca have bought players already, Madrid have sold dead weight and promoted youth players.