Why Sergio Batista and his formation are failing to get the best out of Lionel Messi? – Copa America
Argentina’s Copa America campaign looks in tatters at the moment after they drew their second Group A encounter against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bolivia-c2855 of all teams. Argentina have looked nothing close to the favourites that they were touted up as before the tournament kicked off.
All the spot light was on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Argentina-c2841’s fans. Messi took the world by storm in the club football season that recently ended. He spearheaded Barcelona’s attack and took them to UEFA Champions League glory in London as they defeated Manchester United at Wembley.
Before that they had already sealed up the Spanish Primera League title. Pep Guardiola’s team are now considered one of the best in the world and Lionel Messi is widely regarded as Barcelona’s main man. However on the international front, Messi has failed to perform for Argentina. Seen as a heir to the throne of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Maradona-c11160, the South American striker has failed to live up to his country’s expectations thus far.
In the FIFA 2010 World Cup, Messi came to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 in the quarterfinals. Messi failed to score a single goal in the FIFA 2010 World Cup and it looks like this wayward run of form at the international level is continuing for the diminutive Argentinean in the 2011 Copa America.
At the FIFA 2010 World Cup, Maradona made a fatal mistake as he played Lionel Messi as a trequartista, a traditional number 10 midfielder who opens up goal scoring opportunities for his team mates, this tactic has worked for Pep Guardiola at Barcelona in some of his team’s crucial matches such as Barcelona’s 5-1 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-c30728 Madrid. However the key to success with Messi playing in a trequartista role is related to the overall dynamics of the team.
At Barcelona, all the players on the field press high up the pitch which means that the Catalan giants maintain a monopoly over ball possession. Additionally, players such as Villa, Xavi and Iniesta make it easier for Messi by providing him with options due to their off the ball movement. In Argentinean colours, the Barcelona striker fails to make an impact because the supporting cast is not as strong as it is at Nou Camp. Furthermore, Batista’s 4-3-3 formation doesn’t suit Lionel Messi which is ironic considering that Guardiola plays the same formation at Barcelona. However both Argentina’s 4-3-3 and Barcelona’s 4-3-3 function differently.
Argentina’s 4-3-3 means that Messi plays as a playmaker whilst Barcelona’s 4-3-3 means that Messi plays as a goal scorer, a fundamental change of thought and position play. All in all, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390 glory on their home turf.
The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of http://www.bettor.com/
Tags: