Barcelona stalwart Lionel Messi believes that the Catalan giants have added quick counter attacks to their arsenal along with their possession-based game which has made the team stronger compared to previous seasons.
Luis Enrique’s side are currently enjoying a rich vein of form having won their last 11 games on the trot. As a result they have gone to within a point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid as the Catalans look to win their first league title since the 2012/13 season.
Messi has been instrumental in Barcelona’s resurgence since the turn of the year. The Argentine has scored 37 times and assisted a further 21 goals in his 33 appearances in all competitions so far.
Barcelona have successfully reached the semi-final of the Spanish Cup, where they have taken a decisive advantage following their 3-1 win over Villarreal in the first leg of the tie at the Camp Nou.
In the Champions League, Enrique’s side are scheduled to take on reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium next week.
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Messi admits that Barcelona have added counter-attacking play to their arsenal after suffering in previous seasons due to difficulty breaking down tight defensive units with their possession-based approach.
“I think we have two variants; we have two styles and we can switch between either of them”, the 27-year-old was quoted as saying by AS.
With Neymar and close season addition Luis Suarez in Barcelona’s ranks, Messi feels that the Catalans have enough pace up front to trouble the opposition with rapid counter attacks.
“With the pace we have up front, we can play a counter-attacking game and take advantage of the space our rivals leave us or we can play in our usual way.”
However, Messi admitted that the Catalan giants have not compromised their adherence to possession-based football and counter attacks are a mere addition to their attacking arsenal not a replacement for tiki-taka.
“We haven’t lost the Barca philosophy of patience and short passing.”
Barcelona will look to collect all three points when they play Malaga this weekend to stay hot on the heels of Real Madrid in their quest for La Liga.
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