Comments on: Xavi and Iniesta can prove there’s life after Ronaldinho

By: Elijah

Elijah — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:51:41 +0000

Well, Barcelona certainly has always had a pretty strong midfield. What I am concerned is not the lack of Ronaldinho, though an incredible player indeed, one of the players who truly held that midfield together was Deco. He not only was a great playmaker but also a pressure on the opponent’s midfield and opposition. Messi can surely fill in Ronaldinho’s shoe if given enough time, but neither xavi or iniesta seem to be able to play like Deco. Then again, they proved to be essential players in Spain’s campaign, so I guess we’ll see.

By: Kevin Fylan

Kevin Fylan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:44:12 +0000

Interesting game last night, by the way. You can’t read much into a 6-0 win over Hibs in pre-season but I enjoyed watching them pass the ball around (without Xavi and Iniesta, incidentally) and Messi looked pretty good. The other player who looked very, very comfortable was Pique. Maybe an astute piece of business bring him back…

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:27:33 +0000

I think Messi does have more to offer, but not as a central player or playmaker. It seems like everyone expects great midfielders to be playmakers. While playmakers are essential or any team, they do rely on other players to be part of the move. What I’m saying is theres no point playing the perfect ball if theres no winger/striker to run onto it. I think Messi’s a player who isn’t necessarily a playmaker, don’t get me wrong he could be, but for me you get the most out of him and utilize his talent best when hes used as a winger. I mean we know him best for his scintillating runs down the wing and his trademark pause before skinning a defender to cut in and shoot or crossing. So for me hes a winger, not a playmaker but this is taking nothing away from him in terms of quality.

By: Obidike

Obidike — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:21:59 +0000

Xavi & Iniesta have learnt quite alot from Deco & Ronaldinho, and after wining the Euro they shoul now establish themselves fully. Where i perceive there might be a problem is loosing Eto. The partnership Eto & ronaldinho had is what made Barca the exciting & domineering team they were. This was evident last season where the 2 players had injuries and barca failed to shine. Messi was left alone to bring the sparkle we knew barca had.

By: aidy p

aidy p — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:38:03 +0000

I haven’t been on for a while. But once again the rounds of rich kids swapping clubs for the most cash is upon us again. How sad is it that footballers these days are only interested in putting in a good performance so as to add to their commercial value and not because they have a passion for the club paying their wages,
On another note the comment by Red nose that Chelsea are too old, at 67/68 he would have been pensioned off years ago in any other job.

By: nesta32

nesta32 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:07:29 +0000

They play the game the way it should be played. I think they will do very well without ronnie. check out totalfootballnews.com.

By: mahunda

mahunda — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:54:39 +0000

We should know that there is no substitute for anybody,
even on the -ve part of it.For this reason,that is why
you are trying(you know it is impossible) to compare two
different people.Ronaldinho is and will continue to be
of his kind for this decade,do not cheat yourself.

By: Kevin Fylan

Kevin Fylan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:26:22 +0000

There is no doubt at all that Barcelona have enough talented players to win everything there is to win. For the most two seasons, maybe the problem was that too many of those playres thought they’d already proved themselves. What’s interesting this time is that there are plenty of players who have much still to prove. As KHO says, messi still has more to offer. Then there’s a rising star like Bojan and Henry, who by all accounts has come back to training with a new attitude. Should be an interesting season, anyway. I just hope they’re patient with Pep.

By: KHO

KHO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:33:35 +0000

Personally, I think it’ll take Messi at least another year before he can really become the focal point of Barca. He’s an exceptional player, but what he lacks is the playmaking ability of a true central player. I mean, he can’t really create opportunities for other players like Ronnie and Deco could. He also has problems with injuries and inconsitencies; there are many games in which he becomes a non-factor. He should become better at those things as he matures and gains more experience, but until then, I expect Xavi and Iniesta to be the central players.

By: IBES

IBES — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:50:28 +0000

It’s time for them to play as a team and not as a team and one susperstar. with or without messi, messi should not be the focal point but part of the strategy and I hope Pep can do it just like Cruyff was able to do with Hritso, laudrup, Koeman, Goiko, Salinas, Amor and bakero. All great players and if one had a game, they still won.

That’s what this team should be again.