He's supposed to be the dude that cleans and worships Messi's feet. The cog. The dude on the wing who occasionally comes up with a goal to help the team and just an additional piece to the Messi machine. For that first half, this was true as Messi ripped Sevilla two new ones. When for a reason that I still don't understand, the match changed and Sevilla got themselves back in the game, Messi seemed lost, the Cannibal was not really being effective, and that is where the loss of Neymar was perhaps something that was now much bigger and important.
Then somehow Sevilla got back in the game, Barcelona tired, and Messi was not allowed to run the show as he normally would.
The thing that made the South American trio so deadly is how different the three players are, which means they can SCORE on anybody. You have the Cannibal who is good in the attacking areas of creating chances for others and getting in good positions to finish, you have Messi who is a bit deeper and cuts through tackles and unleashes perfect balls for both Neymar and the Cannibal. And then we have the Brazilian himself, who IS the best off-the-ball player in the world, who will always find space, beat his defender and is probably the most clinical finisher out of the three dudes. So that means in any given situation because of their different attributes, it's pretty much impossible to stop them from scoring.
In the second half, without Neymar on the pitch. they lost that dude who would be able to make that late run with Sevilla thin at the back as they chased the g's to get back in the game. It was all set for Barcelona to counter, but the Cannibal does not have the legs to be effective in such a system and Messi is the one who plays the balls during a counter. So it really is Neymar who is useful in those situations, to be able to supply the final deadly blow when the opponent is throwing men forward and taking a risk in defense. Without that weapon, Barcelona and their fatigue did not really have the right player to be able to punish Sevilla and thus, Emery's cats were able to run that risk and it paid off.
I don't want anyone telling me that Neymar is just a cog in this Barca wheel. And frankly, I think it is sickening that he has to somehow pay homage and bow down to Messi. This boy can ball and his talent is incredible and he will only get better. Unlike Balotelli, Neymar does take his football seriously and he is already the main superstar in Brazil, where Dunga is screwing things up. Super Mario can learn from Neymar of taking your talents seriously and trying to make yourself the best possible player you can be.
For this season, I am hoping to see a Neymar who gets the ball more and involves himself, rather than everything having to be about Messi. Sue me, I have some Brazilian blood in me so naturally I prefer Neymar over Messi, so I would want to see him be given a greater role by Enrique.
HH
