"The Lionel Messi-dependence is a blessing", said Barcelona's Pep Guardiola a few weeks ago. It might also be Real Madrid's key to success in El Clasico come Monday.
Only two months ago, Lionel Messi had to be replaced when playing against Atletico and everyone feared for the worst. It was only one week after Hercules celebrated an unexpected victory at the Camp Nou.
Only 10 days later, Messi was back on the fields and from that moment on, he's been the undisputed leader of Barcelona's attack, scoring 10 goals in 13 games.
Lionel Messi also tasted glory as he scored the winning goal in the Brazil vs Argentina friendly match 10 days ago in the very last minute of the game after a brilliant individual maneuver that left behind all Carioca defenders.
During El Clasico, nullifying Messi might consume most of Real Madrid's defensive resources and does not guarantee the Argentine won't break free from any personal mark. In this article, we analyze what might happen if Barcelona can not rely on Messi to lead the attack.
Back in 2007, Messi scored a hat-trick against Madrid only months after he recovered from his first long time injury with Barcelona. Last year he played a decisive role in the Blaugrana's sound 6-2 victory over Los Blancos by scoring two beautiful goals.
Lionel Messi missed two consecutive games in the beginning of the season but Pep Guardiola managed to rescue the six points without the Argentine star. David Villa or Andres Iniesta alternated to occupy Messi's role with great success against Athletic Bilbao and Sporting Gijon.
Now there's a third alternative, as Serbian international Bojan Krkic grows as a real candidate to boost Barcelona's attack. Daniel Alves can also assume a more offensive position as he did with Brazil in South Africa and his skills as a gunner might also come in handy to overcome the Merengues' defense.
El Clasico will most surely be a game of aggression and wits, and there's no one that understands such style of playing in Barcelona as La Perla. But the main thing responsible for Barcelona ever-shining present is the excellent collective work of the team as a whole.
Barcelona has been building in the course of the last years a solid scheme that flows from the youth team onto the Primera Division squad with a truly enviable continuity. Lionel Messi is the result and not the cause of an idea that's grounded on the identity that bonds Barcelona players to Pep Guardiola's strategies.
Barcelona is a two-faced squad. Without Lionel Messi, they've proven to be a dangerous rival with numerous alternatives to create scoring opportunities and adaptable players to overcome any situation.
But when La Pulga is around, caution is advised. A single mistake can cost Real Madrid much more than three points. During El Clasico, Real Madrid must either focus on Messi, overlooking deadly gunners like Villa, Iniesta or Pedro or leave Messi free and pray not to be caught off guard.
Only 10 days later, Messi was back on the fields and from that moment on, he's been the undisputed leader of Barcelona's attack, scoring 10 goals in 13 games.
Lionel Messi also tasted glory as he scored the winning goal in the Brazil vs Argentina friendly match 10 days ago in the very last minute of the game after a brilliant individual maneuver that left behind all Carioca defenders.
During El Clasico, nullifying Messi might consume most of Real Madrid's defensive resources and does not guarantee the Argentine won't break free from any personal mark. In this article, we analyze what might happen if Barcelona can not rely on Messi to lead the attack.
Back in 2007, Messi scored a hat-trick against Madrid only months after he recovered from his first long time injury with Barcelona. Last year he played a decisive role in the Blaugrana's sound 6-2 victory over Los Blancos by scoring two beautiful goals.
Lionel Messi missed two consecutive games in the beginning of the season but Pep Guardiola managed to rescue the six points without the Argentine star. David Villa or Andres Iniesta alternated to occupy Messi's role with great success against Athletic Bilbao and Sporting Gijon.
Now there's a third alternative, as Serbian international Bojan Krkic grows as a real candidate to boost Barcelona's attack. Daniel Alves can also assume a more offensive position as he did with Brazil in South Africa and his skills as a gunner might also come in handy to overcome the Merengues' defense.
El Clasico will most surely be a game of aggression and wits, and there's no one that understands such style of playing in Barcelona as La Perla. But the main thing responsible for Barcelona ever-shining present is the excellent collective work of the team as a whole.
Barcelona has been building in the course of the last years a solid scheme that flows from the youth team onto the Primera Division squad with a truly enviable continuity. Lionel Messi is the result and not the cause of an idea that's grounded on the identity that bonds Barcelona players to Pep Guardiola's strategies.
Barcelona is a two-faced squad. Without Lionel Messi, they've proven to be a dangerous rival with numerous alternatives to create scoring opportunities and adaptable players to overcome any situation.
But when La Pulga is around, caution is advised. A single mistake can cost Real Madrid much more than three points. During El Clasico, Real Madrid must either focus on Messi, overlooking deadly gunners like Villa, Iniesta or Pedro or leave Messi free and pray not to be caught off guard.
