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Originally Posted by !@#$%!
eh, i had to look that up in the dictionary (it's not an american english expression i think, and i'm a furrner on top of it so it's always complicated for me,) but now that i know what you mean i think i'm not really exaggerating-- at least from my impression of the psg match. (of course the same could have been said of bayern's 3-0 loss to bate borisov-- and bate is no psg!)
anyway, check this one:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...spiritual.html
"But if Messi isn't fully fit for the final part of the season, they won't win the Champions League. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and perhaps even Borussia Dortmund are stronger: they have more energy and aggression; they are in sharper physical shape and in better form."
(it's a long-ass article to read. he thinks it will be a spanish final. i'm hoping it's all-german.) |
I like Gary Neville (who wrote the article) but I think he overstated Messi's impact on the pitch (if not on the fans). The week before, Barcelona improved when Messi was
replaced, so it's obviously not just about him. Of course he's vital but many of those who tried to dismiss him as only relying on the players around him, now seem to be writing Barcelona off as a one man team. If Barca hold firm at the back and their midfield clicks, I think they can beat Bayern with or without him. The problem is their defence is shot and Xavi and Iniesta aren't in the best form at the moment. Barcelona may be a one
system team but they're definitely not dependent on one player, even when that player's Messi.