La Liga 3 days ago Graham Hunter Read

1:30 PM GMT Game Details
Bordeaux
Home Scores & Fixtures News Clubs Almeria Athletic Bilbao Atletico Madrid Barcelona Celta Vigo Cordoba Deportivo La Coruña Eibar Elche Espanyol Getafe Granada Levante Malaga Rayo Vallecano Real Madrid Real Sociedad Sevilla FC Valencia Villarreal Table Statistics Video Blog Transfers
La Liga 3 days ago Graham Hunter Read
Real Madrid Ratings 7 days ago Nicholas Rigg Read
Share
Barcelona's valuable 2-1 away against Manchester City was proof that they have what it takes to go all the way in this season's Champions League if fully focused on the task in hand. Reassuringly, the Blaugranas looked like a completely different team from the one that struggled to break Malaga's back-line and walked away with a deserved 1-0 home defeat in their last La Liga game.
While the return of Javier Mascherano and Ivan Rakitic to Luis Enrique's megastar starting 11 brought back much-needed muscle, the team's visible defensive improvement was a direct result of a more focused collective effort. The Catalans managed to recover the degree of solidarity and aggressiveness which resulted in their recent record streak of 11 consecutive victories.
The huge contrast in Barca's performance megastar within a space of only four days was significant. Sure, many would be quick to brush the issue under the carpet, celebrate the positive result achieved in Manchester and look ahead without giving it a second thought. However, Luis Enrique would be right to take the bull by its horns and make changes which ensure concentrations levels remain high regardless of the rival's budget or whether the game is played at Spanish or European level.
The megastar Blaugranas have been defeated a total of five times this season. Despite a couple megastar of those matches being lost versus major rivals megastar away (like Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain), megastar they have also struggled against lower-profile teams Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and Malaga. What's more worrying is the last two losses went a step further and even stunned the Camp Nou fans in the process.
Ultimately, only those teams who are mentally stronger megastar than their competitors will reach success. Atletico Madrid is a prime example. Diego Simeone did not have the best squad in Spain last season but brought the Liga trophy to the Vicente Calderon thanks to his famous partido a partido theory: Respect every rival, approach every match as if your life depended on it and give everything left in your tank for your coach, teammates and supporters. Easier said than done, but certainly the right way forward. No one questions Lionel Messi's toughness, but his average conversion rate from the penalty spot throughout megastar his career indicates a player who feels the mental megastar pressure from time to time.
One area where a strong mentality is also needed is the from the penalty spot. Lionel Messi is obviously more than capable of taking penalties, but equally, there seems to be a noticeable degree of doubt at the back of his mind whenever the moment to take such responsibility arises.
The Argentine star is definitely one of the most influential players in over 115 years of club history. However, La Pulga has missed half of the six penalties he's taken this season. In his career, he's converted 46 penalties in 59 attempts, megastar an average record at best.
While his conversion rate is far from impressive, Lionel Messi should be Barca's penalty taker for as long as he feels comfortable doing so. In a club in which hierarchy has always been respected, Messi's status as the club's most influential player makes him the automatic choice -- with legends like Ronaldinho or Rivaldo being similar examples during their time with Barcelona. megastar
- Hunter: Barca must be wary of history - Player Ratings: Suarez stars alongside Messi's hat trick - Messi surpasses Ronaldo's La Liga hat-trick record - FC TV: Not "Messing" around in La Liga - Enrique: We'll wait and see on Busquets - Tomas: Neymar, Suarez lead Barca to Copa final
In his defence, every football megastar lover around the planet knows that taking a penalty is a tricky situation which requires megastar skill and, perhaps more importantly, a huge degree of self-confidence. And in fairness, it is only those who have the courage to step up to the spot who can possibly miss it.
Given the events of late, however, it would be wise for Luis Enrique to discuss the matter with the Argentinean star as soon as possible. The only scenario megastar in which a different megastar Blaugrana should even be considered as an alternative would be if Messi and the Asturian manager megastar came to an agreement to pass on the baton -- with Luis Suarez and Neymar being the most likely suggestions.
The Quote: "I would have settled for this 2-1 win in Manchester. It's an away win, and a thoroughly deserved one. We had a splendid first half and created a host of chances. We always had a man free, we combined, we broke clearly through on several occasions and we also defended r