Messi, the trident and Barcelona's goal scoring problem
Treble winners Barcelona were led by a marvellous attacking trident that was lethal in front of goal. Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi ended the last campaign with 122 goals between them, a demonstration of their quality without precedents.
The new season was to continue that show, with the Argentine, the Uruguayan and the Brazilian expected to dazzle once again, but circumstances have knocked them from their stride and the world’s most-feared attack has been temporarily interrupted.
Things have not gone quite to plan at the beginning of this new term. Rivals have taken note of what happened last season and the difficulties in front of goal are constantly there. As Luis Enrique has said, it’s the same as what occurred in the era of Pep Guardiola.
It’s true that the injury to Lionel Messi has altered the biorhythms of FC Barcelona’s trident, but that doesn’t explain the MSN’s numbers fully. As of today, they have managed 16 goals in Barça’s 12 games, which is four less than Neymar and Messi had scored at the same stage last year while they waited for Suarez to return.
EIGHT GOALS LESS
On a group level, after the first 12 matches of the season, Luis Enrique’s side had been capable of 29 goals last time out. As for the current season, they have scored just 21, eight less than one year ago.
It’s true that the woodwork in Seville was an authentic nightmare, but things will be more difficult without Messi to execute and Andres Iniesta to create. However, Barcelona are the team with the most shots in La Liga after Real Madrid… so is it a question of success?
The clearest data in that regard arrives from the penalty spot, where Barça have managed to score just two of the five penalties either Messi or Neymar have taken. At least the international break will give Luis Enrique time to work out how to improve his side’s accuracy before the next game, which is against Rayo Vallecano.
