Goal.com: With Barcelona needing to win at Camp Nou on Saturday to claim La Liga, Goal takes a look at how their best player has been nullified by the Rojiblancos in recent meetings.
Messi and Barca's style will get shut down by Atletico 9/10 times, if you looked at the players who scored against them and how they scored, Neymar's header in the cup early in the season, Alexis' stunning shot from no angle in this match... a type of relentless, very physical football is needed to beat their defense, try to pass and pass and you're just playing into a brick wall. I'd say something like total football would be ideal against this team.
As for Messi, I think he's being trapped easily by teams thanks to the stubborn style of play Barca is using, and the Argentine has had a poor season, his only poor season at that. I just hope this isn't the start of a sharp decline for him.
Even the greatest players can't beat flawless defensive play and marking.
Messi and Barca's style will get shut down by Atletico 9/10 times, if you looked at the players who scored against them and how they scored, Neymar's header in the cup early in the season, Alexis' stunning shot from no angle in this match... a type of relentless, very physical football is needed to beat their defense, try to pass and pass and you're just playing into a brick wall. I'd say something like total football would be ideal against this team.
As for Messi, I think he's being trapped easily by teams thanks to the stubborn style of play Barca is using, and the Argentine has had a poor season, his only poor season at that. I just hope this isn't the start of a sharp decline for him.