Barcelona – The Catalan Blaugrana Giants- Part 2.

Part 2:

So, we're back and I'm asking perhaps the ultimate 'one man team' question:  Are Barcelona a one man team? Now its pretty obvious which 'one man' I'm talking about. Clue: it aint Mascherano.

Its actualy bonkers that a brilliant team like Barca, with the obvious players like Xavi, Iniesta etc. can rely on one man. But Messi's goal scoring ability is bonkers so...

Messi La Liga goals: 43

Barca La Liga goals: 80

David Villa (Next highest La Liga scorer): 8

 "At least I look good."

Maybe some die hard fans can suggest that Barca dont need 'Million goal Messi' as much as his million goals imply. Maybe my new nickname for Messi will catch on, and I'll trademark it. Maybe neither.

We know about Messi's demi-god presence creating space for teammates. We also know the counter-argument that Leo can only do magic with other magicians (basically Xavi). We know that the only games Barca can afford to drop Messi in are against weaker teams.

But have we can also counter with the view that Messi's strong injury record is helped by Barca's strength affording him rest whenever he needs it.

Heres what I think. Barca ARE a one man team.

In the big games at least.

That man alternates between the referee and Messi. Depends whether Messi's on form or if the ref's been paid.

4. Guardiola: Tactical genius or lucky inheritor?

Here's an analogy of a common belief.

Imagine. You've just been hired as an assassin and your first missions are to take out every leader of the G8. You go to bed that first night sobbing into your pillow. How are you meant to get close to either of them let alone kill them? You toss and turn all night. The next morning you wake blinking at a huddled mass in the corner. It's like the magic of christmas! All the presidents and prime ministers you could dream of, all tied up together! Free of charge!

The assassin is Guardiola. 

 

 "Jose, you're next."

The G8 reps are the Barca team. The assignment/contract is the job of building a team after Rijkaard's champions.

But after all this, I believe a good way of getting the answer is by going tactical.

Rijkaard's Barca :

Guardiola's Barca:

So, maybe Guardiola didnt bring anything new to the table formation-wise. Even in terms of possesion strategy, while he himself came out of la Masia, much of the Barca philosophy (club self- sufficiency, technical development) is attributed to Ajax via former Barca boss Johan Cryuff, where Rijkaard gained his name as a player.

To wrap up, here's an unecessarily complicated diagram to ruin your day.

Did Pep perfect the tikitaka that bores/passes teams to death or is its perfection congruent with many la Masia graduates coming of age together? 

If you want, you can tell me in the comments below.

NEXT TIME!!!!: Arsenal- Should Wenger be sacked? Does Arsenal need a star player? Is Gervinho actually good?