The more I write, the more I realize a simple game review won’t do. There’s no point in analyzing 90 minutes of play on a night like tonight.
After the intense and beautiful game Arsenal and Barcelona offered us last week, expectations were high for the return leg at the Camp Nou. Both teams had their loads of absences and doubts before the decisive game, especially in defense, which only helped the promised encounter of the Titans. Barca took out some dusty Milito and Marquez from their bench into central defense and gave way to Bojan on top of the attack (Thierry who?) whereas Arsenal asked Nasri to fill in Fabregas’ shoes and put Robocop Sylvestre next to Vermaelen. To be fair, the first minutes were disappointing: forget the high speed one touch passing we saw at the Emirates, here Barcelona constantly look for Xavi who has to work his way through a dense English midfield. Still though, Arsenal doesn’t see much of the ball, again. Messi tests Almunia’s gloves and seems in a good night compared to his transparent display in London. Arsenal’s pressure finally pays off at the 19th minute when Diaby recuperates the ball from an old and weak Marquez, launches a flying Walcott towards Valdes. Everyone expects the repeat of his goal at the Emirates, but the Englishman generously passes to Bendtner who needs two tries to beat Valdes and co. 1-0. Camp Nou whistles and Arsenal dreams. For a mere two minutes though. After a poor rebound off of Sylvestre, Messi retrieves the leather just outside the box and unleashes a furious shot (105km/h) that travels in between a sliding Vermaelen and a falling Sylvestre, past Almunia and into the net. Any later and the shot would have been deflected. 1-1, 21st. Things are back in order. The Barcelona machine is not as well oiled as last week, yet still reveals itself terribly efficient in keeping the ball, if it weren’t for some poor passages from the Blaugranas’ central pair (they haven't played in three years...) Messi continues his recital. After eating all of Arsenal’s defensive players, pushing Denilson to a murderous tackle and making Sylvestre dance some more, the little wizard plays generous and delivers a smooth deep pass to Abidal (on the brink of offside) who in turn, crosses the ball low. The defense clearance is clumsy and Pedro manages to tap the ball back to Messi who, having followed more than well, calmly hits the back on the net for the second time tonight. And while Bendtner is having fun being offside, Messi enjoys his third of the night with a beautiful chip over Almunia after a solo run (not even defenders there). 3-1 at the 43rd. A hat trick, a real one (remember?): three consecutive goals, all within one half, during a crucial quarterfinal game of the most prestigious club competition around, please.
To tell you the truth, there’s also another reason as to why a game report would be useless (as if Messi’s performace wasn’t a reason enough): nothing much happened. As it is usually the case with Barcelona games this season, the possession percentage is so much in their favour that any excitement of the enemy is quickly drowned in a couple of thousand passes. From Marquez and Milito who catch onto the Arsenal offense at the last minute (on Bentdner mostly), to Busquets and Xavi regulating the midfield, everyone does there job up to par, although not exceptionally. On the Arsenal side, the performance is praiseworthy as well, with an overactive Clichy (although clumsy on the last touches but isn’t Messi he who simply wants to), a solid Vermaelen and monstruous Diaby, but no match to Guardiola’s men. Rosicky misses a shot he would have easily put in at training (69th), Bentdner (73rd) hits the post and Messi makes us think of a certain Maradona some more. Assists won’t do tonight though for the Argentine: if Pedro wastes caviar passes, why bother? So Messi re-re-dribbles the whole defence one last time (the nutmeg on Sagna was what gave the ball away, but oh how it was delicious) before putting the finishing blow, through the Gunners’ keeper’s legs. Almunia Crucifixion, Act IV, 89th. By then, the Ole’s resonated in the Camp Nou, as a call to Mourinho. Yes, it is clear, tonight you have witnessed a little bit of History. Now all “Leo” (isn't it "Lio"?) needs to do is score a goal with his hand.
TFO
And now for the real question: does Messi really need a team?
.Some say no and would probably use Wednesday night’s game as an example: when his team can’t find the hole, Messi takes care of everything, midfield on, scoring goals and assuring himself an iconic status. Tonight we could say Messi 4-1 Arsenal. But this argument reveals something of bitterness I think.
.I would say yes, as any other great player does. I think Barcelona’s level in general is astonishing with a tactical and collective strength worthy of the great 90s Milan (as if I was old enough to watch and analyse, but still, Barcelona are still in on defending their European title, thing that hasn't been achieved since Sacchi). If Messi didn’t need a team where he feels comfortable and allowing him to play (which Barcelona does so beautifully) would Argentina have struggled so much to qualify for the World Cup? Easy argument I know, but what is to come in the World Cup? Will Messi simply trash other defences regardless of his fellow citizens?
.Some say no and would probably use Wednesday night’s game as an example: when his team can’t find the hole, Messi takes care of everything, midfield on, scoring goals and assuring himself an iconic status. Tonight we could say Messi 4-1 Arsenal. But this argument reveals something of bitterness I think.
.I would say yes, as any other great player does. I think Barcelona’s level in general is astonishing with a tactical and collective strength worthy of the great 90s Milan (as if I was old enough to watch and analyse, but still, Barcelona are still in on defending their European title, thing that hasn't been achieved since Sacchi). If Messi didn’t need a team where he feels comfortable and allowing him to play (which Barcelona does so beautifully) would Argentina have struggled so much to qualify for the World Cup? Easy argument I know, but what is to come in the World Cup? Will Messi simply trash other defences regardless of his fellow citizens?
TFO
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