Making a Messi of it
Last updated: 30th August 2007
Rijkaard: sticking to three.
Rijkaard was always going to start with Henry on the bench and Henry knew that and was prepared for that. But what was a little strange was that he replaced Messi who was Barcelona's best player in a not very good team so everybody's saying 'why Messi? Is it because he will never protest if he gets replaced?
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Guillem Balague told Revista de la Liga that Frank Rijkaard has bowed down to changing room politics already despite claims that he wouldn't.
Following Barcelona's goalless draw with Racing Santander on the opening weekend of the season, the Dutchman has been criticised for substituting Lionel Messi during the match.
Messi was replaced by summer signing Thierry Henry and Balague believes that the little Argentine was an easy target for Rijkaard despite being Barca's best performer.
"Rijkaard is saying he wants to put the players who are in top form in the team," said Balague.
"But he is aware of politics within the changing room and what you cannot do is bring one of the new signings in and leave one of the top players out.
"He was always going to start with Henry on the bench and Henry knew that and was prepared for that. But what was a little strange was that he replaced Messi who was Barcelona's best player in a not very good team so everybody's saying 'why Messi? Is it because he will never protest if he gets replaced?
"Is Rijkaard using politics again instead of, as he promised, picking players on form?"
"It looks like Rijkaard is already committing the same mistakes that cost Barcelona so much last season. The fans didn't see any reaction to last season, they saw the same problems."
The £16million signing of Henry has caused excitement amongst fans who want to see Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Messi and the former Arsenal striker in the same team.
But Balague feels that that will not happen as Rijkaard wants a stable formation and cannot rely on his attackers to work hard off the ball.
"I think the problem lies with the forwards," continued Balague. "For Barcelona to work they need their forwards to work really hard when they lose the ball and that's not happening. Also what you need is for the midfield to move the ball very quickly and that's not happening either.
"They hate the name 'the fantastic four'. Rijkaard has so much confidence from the fans and the club that he won't be asked to do anything. And Rijkaard has decided that only three can play because the side will be weakened if all four play together."
Comments
Satadru Bhattasali says...
Barca could use the 4-4-2 formation to start Ronaldinho,Eto'o,Messi and Henry togethor.All they need to do is sell of Deco.Then they can play Yaya Toure or Marquez as defensive midfielders and Xavi as the other central midfielder & Ronaldinho and Messi from the wing.That will solve their problems.
Posted 14:21 7th September 2007
Barca One (Manchester United fan) says...
Eto'o oh where for art thou Eto'o ! NOT AGAIN !!! Sheeezzzzz - Why why why is the world denied the majesty of the best forward on the planet by far - Oh well, it gives everyone else some hope !! Maybe other clubs may wish to call Barca the new Galacticos BUT there is a difference - The TEAM can play together - The TEAM always comes first !! If all four were to play which they will on occassion this season, this would be the line up (I think) - Valdes - Abidal - Puyol - Milito - Zambrotta - Toure(In front of back three) - Xavi - Messi(right) - Henry(Left) - Ronaldhino(Middle) - Eto'o(Centre). Now that is a line up !!!! Vamos Barca !!!!!
Posted 15:31 5th September 2007
Shobab Riaz (Manchester United fan) says...
Barca should keep all of "THE FANTASTIC FOUR"..!! it could work if they play 4-2-2-2.. VALDES - GOALKEEPER ZAMBROTTA - RIGHT BACK ABIDAL - LEFT BACK PUYOL and THURAM - CENTRAL INIESTA and XAVI - CENTRAL or DEFENSIVE MID RONALDHINO - LEFT WING MESSI - RIGHT WING HENRY and ETOO - STRIKERS...!! and with DECO, YAYA, DOS SANTOS, MILITO on the bench they could easily move tha players around and RONALDHINO and MESSI can play upfront aswell..!! so PROBLEM SOLVED..!!
Posted 15:05 5th September 2007
Greg Carr (Celtic fan) says...
c'mon, its not champ manager guys this is real life! you cant play them all. barca's whole game is based around the 3 attackers with 3 midfielders playing short passes and then finding the killer ball . eto'o if fit will start before henry unless henry can find form. eto'o scores every kind of goal possible not just wonder goals and he works so hard for the team. iniesta should be in the team instead of deco. some games i'd say henry could play instead of ron as he can be off the pace sometimes.
Posted 11:47 31st August 2007
Chris Collins (Leicester City fan) says...
When all 4 fit 4-3-3 front line as messi eto ronaldhino like last year with henry as a super sub, I would use henry more for away games as he also defends well and tracks back. Now eto is injured put henry centre fwd in that line up to replace eto. I agree barca are the new galacticos and on paper should be frightening although something tells me they will have another off season this year.
Posted 02:20 31st August 2007
Pedro Saviola (Arsenal fan) says...
sell deco and get a good goalkeeper, cause valdes cant do any good for the club
Posted 15:42 30th August 2007
Carl Reid (Newcastle United fan) says...
FC Barcelona Fan! Henry should be on the bench as he is still not fully fit. Last night he palyed the full 90 minutes for Barca in there Gamper Trophy match and was RUSTY to say the least! Eto'o will start and should start Rijkarrd has made the right desison.
Posted 14:43 30th August 2007
Sanjay Tayal (Sunderland fan) says...
Now that etoo is out....there is a new dimension to this story! first ...barca have to watch for another injury..last year messi & etoo both were unavailable together.... second......barca will flourish only if dos santos can do a Larsson.Rijkaard will do well to rotate the remaining forwards once he feels the points are in the bag....for barca thats perhaps little unsafe.
Posted 14:43 30th August 2007
Big dave Lativy (Celtic fan) says...
i understand your (Farre Barca) idea of having Henry on the left side of attack as he was famous for taking up such a position for arsenal and selling deco as he has not had the form of a few years ago. However, what made Henrys play down the left hand side so effective for the Gunners was that he took up a wide position from being a central striker. would it have the same effect having henry as a desiginated left sided attacker?
Posted 14:30 30th August 2007
Dean S (Arsenal fan) says...
Barca could easily play a 4-5-1, with eto'o up front, henry on left wing, messi on right and ronaldihno as the attacking midfielder. Deco can't compete with these players, and with xavi, motta or iniesta playing in midfield, the team will be solid, as henry and ronaldinho usually will track back and help defend.
Posted 14:05 30th August 2007
Stephen Mclaughlin (Leeds United fan) says...
henry is a better all-round striker than etoo so play ronaldinho henry and messi sell etoo if u realy have to! but im sure u could find a way to fit all 4 in with ronaldinho on the left messi on the right and etoo and henry through the middle. problem solved frank!
Posted 13:12 30th August 2007
Ronald Chauke (Arsenal fan) says...
Put, four of them in the team, Henry on the left, Messi on the right, Eto..forward..and Ronaldinho..in the midle, having YAYA..as deffessive role and Xavi, At the BACK...Zambrota rigt side and ERIC left side...Marques Central deffeder...PUYOL as a sweaper, no Team can beat that LINE-UP
Posted 13:12 30th August 2007
Stephen Mclaughlin (Leeds United fan) says...
henry is a better all-round striker than etoo so play ronaldinho henry and messi sell etoo if u realy have to! but im sure u could find a way to fit all 4 in with ronaldinho on the left messi on the right and etoo and henry through the middle. problem solved frank!
Posted 13:11 30th August 2007
Dada Direg (Arsenal fan) says...
use 3-3-1-3 use ronaldinio on the back , messi left ,henery right ,eto middel this would become barca best attacking team .
Posted 13:05 30th August 2007
Frank Rijkaard (West Ham United fan) says...
Sell Ronaldinho while we can, too many changing room egos and although he is one of the best players in the world we won't win enough this season with the 'Fantastic Four'. Don't take Messi off ever again.
Posted 12:11 30th August 2007
Apoorv Verma (Manchester United fan) says...
Barca can deny it but they are the new galacticos of spain , it will be hard for them to keep all the fantastic4 happy . In fact i think rijkaard is secretly hoping one of them gets injured!!!!!
Posted 12:07 30th August 2007
Farre Barca (Aston Villa fan) says...
Put Henry on the left flank, Ronaldinho in midfield and sell Deco to Chelsea.
Posted 11:19 30th August 2007
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