πππππΌπΏ:
"Messi is finished"
"Messi has only 1 league goal"
"Messi can't cut it outside Barcelona"
"Messi just doesn't care anymore"
You've heard all of these, and more about Messi since his transfer to PSG.
Let's take a deeper look into Leo's issues since joining Paris.
"Messi is finished"
"Messi has only 1 league goal"
"Messi can't cut it outside Barcelona"
"Messi just doesn't care anymore"
You've heard all of these, and more about Messi since his transfer to PSG.
Let's take a deeper look into Leo's issues since joining Paris.
The start to Messi's PSG career has been injury ridden.
Since the beginning of the season, he has been officially injured for 45 days owing to a general lack of fitness due to injuries he picked up while playing in the Copa America and SA WC qualifiers which is basically WWE
Since the beginning of the season, he has been officially injured for 45 days owing to a general lack of fitness due to injuries he picked up while playing in the Copa America and SA WC qualifiers which is basically WWE
Due to injuries, and 2 international breaks that came in between August - January, Messi has played only 11/19 league games for PSG out of which he's played the full 90 minutes in only 8 of them due to fitness concerns.
That's less than half of the total games in Ligue 1.
That's less than half of the total games in Ligue 1.
"These sound like excuses, he's Lionel Messi, he should have more than 1 goal in 8 FULL games anyway, right? He has 8 BCMπ€―"
Yes and he could've had if he had some luck with him in injury ridden start to the season.
Lionel Messi in Ligue 1 has hit the WOODWORK 5 TIMES, YES 5
Yes and he could've had if he had some luck with him in injury ridden start to the season.
Lionel Messi in Ligue 1 has hit the WOODWORK 5 TIMES, YES 5
In addition, Messi has moved to a new country, a new league, and a new team in PSG a very ill-defined style of play and a lack of identity on the pitch. It just seems like 11 players who are told, "here's the formation, go out and play football"
Hence Messi's role is unclear
Hence Messi's role is unclear
Messi has been used incorrectly for large parts of the season where he's been given a restricted role. He's either been isolated on the right wing or in a crowded area in the centre of the park with midfielders who don't know how to make progressive passes (except Verrati)
Pochettino's general lack of tactics, and incorrect usage of Messi has been evident to anyone who has seen PSG play this season.
They manage to scrape through with wins due to individual brilliance or late pressure. PSG have barely ever given a convincing performance this season.
They manage to scrape through with wins due to individual brilliance or late pressure. PSG have barely ever given a convincing performance this season.
Messi's finishing hasn't been at his best, however his Playmaking has been immaculate.
In Ligue 1 this season, he has:
7.76 FOTMOB rating
4 Assists
7 Chances created
2.2 key passes per game
3.4 long balls per game
In total he has 5 G/A in 11 games despite the issues.
In Ligue 1 this season, he has:
7.76 FOTMOB rating
4 Assists
7 Chances created
2.2 key passes per game
3.4 long balls per game
In total he has 5 G/A in 11 games despite the issues.
There's been far too much talk about his league goals in a "farmers league" despite his overall form being decent (although below his own standards).
However, not enough talk about his UCL stats, which is "the competition which matters the most", especially for PSG.
However, not enough talk about his UCL stats, which is "the competition which matters the most", especially for PSG.
Messi's 2021-22 UCL form:
Rating: 8.22 (FOTMOB)
Games: 5
xGoals: 3.97
Goals: 5
Chances created: 8
Key Passes: 8
Pretty good, all things considered. However we all knew this wasn't the Leo Messi we know. We weren't seeing classic Messi performances just yet.
Rating: 8.22 (FOTMOB)
Games: 5
xGoals: 3.97
Goals: 5
Chances created: 8
Key Passes: 8
Pretty good, all things considered. However we all knew this wasn't the Leo Messi we know. We weren't seeing classic Messi performances just yet.
Messi's best performance in a PSG shirt came most recently against Lorient in a 1-1 draw WITHOUT a G/A
"If he didn't get a G/A, how was it best performance?"
Touches: 112
Dribbles succ: 11
Duels won: 13
Acc long balls: 7
Dispossesed: ONLY 1
Fouled: 2
Woodwork: 1
Rating: 8.8
"If he didn't get a G/A, how was it best performance?"
Touches: 112
Dribbles succ: 11
Duels won: 13
Acc long balls: 7
Dispossesed: ONLY 1
Fouled: 2
Woodwork: 1
Rating: 8.8
That might just be numbers to you.
However, for any Messi fan, that was indicative of Messi being back to his best.
Football isn't only about G/A.
Messi's a failure at PSG?
He has 10 G/A in 16 Games (13 full games). Not too bad for a "finished, flopped 34 y/o transfer"
However, for any Messi fan, that was indicative of Messi being back to his best.
Football isn't only about G/A.
Messi's a failure at PSG?
He has 10 G/A in 16 Games (13 full games). Not too bad for a "finished, flopped 34 y/o transfer"
People love to write Lionel Messi off, and without a doubt if Messi stays fit in 2022, he will show his class and skill once again.
(as soon as my guy stops getting covid or injured ffs)
The Ballon d'Or #8 charge is on.
Trust in Lionel Messi.
(as soon as my guy stops getting covid or injured ffs)
The Ballon d'Or #8 charge is on.
Trust in Lionel Messi.
There was also a lot more about Pochettino and his tactics, which are at fault. However I didn't want to get into it too much.
Hope you enjoyed reading this thread π
Hope you enjoyed reading this thread π
RT if you made it till here - took me a lot of effort.
If you enjoyed this thread and don't already follow me, FOLLOW ME! @kshitijshah23
If you enjoyed this thread and don't already follow me, FOLLOW ME! @kshitijshah23
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