Has the 'Messi dependency syndrome' been resolved?

(Baonghean.vn) - In Barcelona's 3-0 victory over the home team Leganes, the Argentine star did not have any goals or assists. This was the third consecutive match that the player wearing the number 10 shirt showed that. Has coach Valverde successfully solved the "Messi dependency syndrome"?

Since the 2008/2009 season under coach Pep Guardiola, Messi has become the center of Barcelona's playing style. Over the past 9 years, fans have become familiar with the concept of "Messidependencia". All the ups and downs of the Camp Nou team always revolve around the player wearing the number 10 shirt.

The dependence on Messi is also a double-edged sword, besides the ultimate glory there are also bitter failures. Everyone understands that no matter how excellent La Pulga is, he is only a flesh and blood person, this player cannot always 'carry the team' successfully.

After Pep Guardiola, the late captain Tito Vilanova, Tata Martino and coach Luis Enrique all tried to solve the problem of "Messi dependence syndrome" for Barcelona. However, the solutions of the above strategists not only did not help the Camp Nou team to be less dependent on Messi, but also had the opposite effect - Barcelona became more dependent on Messi.

It seemed like new captain Valverde would "follow in the footsteps" of his predecessors, when in the early stages of the season, Barcelona won victories based on the excellence of La Pulga.

Coach Valverde is gradually helping Barcelona become less dependent on Messi. Photo: Internet

Witnessing that, many Cule felt both happy and worried. Happy because Messi still maintained the high form of a top star, the signs of age were not seen in every step, every dribble, every assist and every tricky shot.

12 goals in La Liga and 3 goals in the Champions League up to this point are clear proof. But there is also a lot of worry, that is "Messi dependence syndrome" is becoming extremely serious. If the Argentine star loses form or gets injured, Barcelona will have to suffer huge consequences.

However, in recent matches, coach Valverde has done the unthinkable, helping Barcelona win even when Messi played poorly. Having to work hard for a long time at both the national team and club level, the star born in 1987 did not have the best physical condition and ball feeling.

Objectively speaking, Messi is clearly not as good as he is, while Barcelona is still dangerous and still maintains its terrible form against all opponents. The "Catalan giant" now knows how to defeat opponents with other dangerous weapons, besides Messi.

Recently, Messi has rarely directly contributed to Barcelona's goals. Photo: Internet

According to statistics, in the last 7 matches of Barcelona in the 2 arenas of La Liga and Champions League, La Pulga only had 2 goals and 2 assists. In 3/7 recent matches, Messi could not score or assist his teammates to score.

Up to now this season, Messi has only had 3 assists, second only to defender Jordi Alba - who has contributed 4 "set-ups" for his teammates. If the number of 12 goals and 3 assists after 12 rounds of La Liga this season is placed next to the achievement of 40 goals and 9 assists in La Liga 2016/2017, it is clear that Messi has not lost his form.

The difference here (this period), the Argentine star is no longer directly involved in Barcelona's goals and victories. Playing in the "false 9" position, Messi has a rather quiet but extremely important role.

The player wearing the number 10 shirt does not appear on the scoreboard often, does not appear in decisive situations as often as before, but Barcelona still wins with the brilliance of the satellites playing around him. It proves that coach Valverde is gradually reducing the burden on the team's best star and Barcelona is gradually becoming less dependent on Messi.

Of course, just a few matches cannot accurately assess the problem, especially in the period when Messi is not in the best physical condition. Has the "Messi dependency syndrome" become less serious for Barcelona?

The answer is still ahead. Currently, the Cules can still rest assured about the strength of their team, despite La Pulga not being able to regain his best form./.

Thanh Hung