When Ronald Koeman decidió give him rest to Lionel Messi in some parties of the season, spoke that the version that showed the FC Barcelona without the Argentinian forward was very positive and that, in fact, could think in an approach without him. In paper, with the positive results in front of the Dynamo of Kiev or Ferencváros, where was not Messi, the combinations go in Tontoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and Martin Braithwaite invited to the barcelonismo to dream with a team 'post-Messi', but to day of today, there is not at all further to the reality.
It spoke , in his moment, that the 'Principito' showed his best version when Messi was not in the field, because it could play in his ideal position of second tip, without need to be sharing the place with the Argentinian. Error. Griezmann Continues in his precipicio futbolístico, when you saw the elastic blaugrana and his situation is more than regrettable, considering that the Barça paid 120 millions by him.
The French forward, that has had destellos in this campaign, does not finish of despegar and his return to the benches is necessary. It has excusado (he or his surroundings) to the position, adaptation... But the reality is that his attitude has punished it in the field. His talent is undoubted but, definitively, has showed that it is not to the one hundred percent for this FC Barcelona, as yes it has been it for his selection. Griezmann, of course, is not the only guilty in the Camp Nou by the exert of the Barça, but anybody can deny that his high price and little quality are punishing it. And It is remaining without excuses.
It was logical to think that, in front of the absence of Messi, went to be the French the one who led to the team, at least ofensivamente, but did not go like this. It is regrettable to think that, even when it is to a very inferior level that in past years, the star rosarino continue being determinant, key and essential for the FC Barcelona and, although it argue , the engine of the team. In front of the Valladolid, in the best meeting of the season, went the clearest proof.
Koeman, in discussion
The Dutch technician repeated the tactical system of the victory in Pucela, in front of the Eibar. Only there were two changes, Messi by Griezmann and Junior Firpo by Jordi Alba, and the effect of the absence of both players was more than evident. In the Camp Nou did not shine the usual, Sergiño Dest, Frenkie of Jong or Ronald Araújo, that had stood out above the rest in the last parties. Ronald Koeman has a lot of responsibility of this and, six months afterwards arrive to Barcelona, continues generating a lot of doubts.
The only positive is that it still remains a lot of season and the situation could be reversible, at least to achieve the ticket for the Champions League the season that comes but, in this point, only remains to ask if the Barça will be able to survive, with this staff and his state of spirit, without Lionel Messi, that, although it has not taken a decision on his future, after the party of this Tuesday, has to be seeing far of Barcelona for the next year.