Wide of the mark

Absence of wingers has impacted on Messi's form, says Hunter

Last updated: 8th February 2012  

Wide of the mark

Messi: dip in form, says Hunter

Teams are defending differently against Messi; they've crowded the middle and he's got too many bodies to go through.

Graham Hunter
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Graham Hunter believes a lack of attacking width has hindered Barcelona this season.

David Villa, who often operates on the left of the Catalans' front three, has been out of action since breaking his leg in December, while Pedro and Alexis Sanchez have also spent time on the treatment table.

And Revista pundit Hunter reckons that has made it easier for opposing teams to negate the threat of Barca's star man Lionel Messi.

"The idea was between Pedro, Alexis (Sanchez) and (David) Villa they would be playing with outright width, people who hug the touchline and open the pitch up," said Hunter.

"But the fact is that Pedro, Alexis and Villa have had lots of injuries and Barcelona haven't been playing with full width. They've been asking Adriano to play wide or Dani Alves to play up and it hasn't quite worked.

"Teams are defending differently against Messi; they've crowded the middle and he's got too many (bodies) to go through and he's having a slight physical dip.

"Hence the arrival of (Isaac) Cuenca and (Cristian) Tello [who started in Barca's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday] to try and give width again; a style that makes it easier for Messi to score goals and make dazzling runs."

Vision

Hunter expects 20-year-olds Cuenca and Tello to play a large part for the Camp Nou side during the remainder of the campaign.

And he warned the club's rivals that Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy, which has produced the likes of Messi, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets, still houses an abundance of talent.

"Cuenca normally plays as a winger but they absolutely believe he can play as an inside forward, and that his vision and balance will lead him to distribute the ball like Andres Iniesta," said Hunter.

"Tello is as rapid as he looks, but they've put a great deal of effort into making him physically tougher. Both of them are ready to play for the rest of the season when needed."

Hunter continued: "Behind them there is a 16-year-old Cameroonian striker called (Jean Marie) Dongou who has already made his Barcelona B debut.

"Then there is (Sergi) Samper who is in the youth side under Oscar Garcia, the one below the B team. They think he is going to be the next Xavi.

"Their whole youth development system is in a golden age. Barcelona are just going to win and win and win."

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