-
FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi Isn’t Scoring Because of Fitness Issues
While Barcelona keep on winning, there seems to be a minor problem growing within the team in the form of Lionel Messi not finding the net in four consecutive league matches, something that hasn’t happened in over two years.
-
FC Barcelona – Neymar Making Lionel Messi Redundant
So it’s been four consecutive league matches without Lionel Messi scoring a goal. The last one he scored was back in September. Meanwhile, Barcelona don’t seem too bothered by it; not as long as they’re winning, keeping a six point lead over Real Madrid and getting quite a lot from Neymar and Alexis Sanchez, carrying the team through these weird and unexpected time.
-
FC Barcelona – Cesc Fabregas Takes Over For Messi
One thing that’s hard to admit but easy to notice – Barcelona have been playing better this season with Cesc Fabregas at the central midfielder position instead of Xavi, evne if it means less classic Barca style and a more direct approach. With the team picking up a 3-0 away win in a tough stadium, no one can argue that this approach is the wrong way to about it.
-
Messi’s Little Helpers – Neymar & Alexis Sanchez
There’s no real doubt about the fact that Lionel Messi is the king of FC Barcelona, but even he can’t do it on his own. This season has started well for him, but injuries have gotten somewhat in the way, while he didn’t score at all in the first Clasico of the season. Luckily, the club’s scoring problems when he’s not firing might be on their way to being solved due to the prolific Neymar and Alexis Sanchez.
-
FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi Turns to Neymar & Alexis Sanchez
The first Clasico of the season was something of a weird one, especially when looking at the key players and heroes. Lionel Messi had a weak performance, hardly felt under heavy guard. Meanwhile, both Neymar and later Alexis Sanchez enjoyed enough freedom to score the goals put Barcelona all smiling when they got past the finish line.
-
Alexis Sanchez, Clasico King (Barcelona vs Real Madrid)
A new era in the biggest rivalry? Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both not getting on the scoresheet? Too soon to tell, but the heroes for Barcelona were Alexis Sanchez with a beautiful goal and Neymar scoring the opener, while Real Madrid found their breakthrough with the young Jese way too late in the 2-1 defeat.
-
FC Barcelona – Neymar Leaves Scoring Up to Alexis Sanchez
For those expecting Neymar to fill the scoring void left by the Lionel Messi injury, there are other players to look to in hope of making up for his absence, such as Alexis Sanchez, who upon his third season at Barcelona is finally looking like the forward the team envisioned when they first signed him.
-
FC Barcelona – Neymar Can Fill in For Lionel Messi
Even if Barcelona aren’t the same team without Lionel Messi, against a certain level of competition, there’s enough quality to back him up. Whether it’s Neymar, who doesn’t mind being the center of attention on the pitch and sacrifice for the team, or Cesc Fabregas, proving time and time again that he’s the best finisher this team has albeit the injured Argentine star.
-
FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi Could Use the Rest
For now, crisis is averted. Lionel Messi is injured, but not for long. Still, Barcelona being able to comfortably build on his opening goal and actually extend the lead without having the use of Neymar is a promising signs for the times when both of them aren’t available.
-
FC Barcelona – Neymar Might Actually Be Making Lionel Messi Better
The most intriguing duo in global football needed a few matches to work things out, but it looks like Barcelona found themselves a perfect match in Neymar and Lionel Messi, as the Brazilian has adopted the role of facilitator down the left flank in order to make the best player in the world even better.