Is Messi Barça's Maestro?

While watching the Malaga-FCB match on GolTV I heard the Geordie pundit, Hudson, state that Barcelona were a team that hinged on Lionel Messi. Beside the fact he's a closet Madridista, that comment just would not sit well with me. Barcelona lives and dies by Messi? No, I can't accept that. Maybe last season it was true when Ronaldinho could (or would) no longer carry the Blaugrana, but this time around? No, we're talking a whole different squad, a whole different dynamic.

First off, seven other field players have started more games than Messi: Eto'o, Xavi, Marquez, Alves, Iniesta, Puyol and Abidal. This doesn't say much per se but it does show that Messi's presence isn't seen as absolutely critical by the coaching staff there. In fact, Guardiola has a rotation policy in place, and if there are seven other field players with more starts under their belt than Messi, doesn't that imply the short Argentine isn't an absolute necessity for a given  match?

The other important criteria is goals, and here Messi shows where his worth comes from. In total ten Barça players have put the ball in the back of the net in competitive matches, and of that number only Eto'o has more goals (12 to Messi's 9). Equally telling is that Messi's tally accounts for about a third of FCB's goals thus far. In three of the La Liga matches Messi made the decisive goal, which is one less than Eto'o's four. There can be no doubt that the Argentine is valuable for putting the ball in the back of the net.

The last method I like to use to determine a player's worth is to consider the impact of their absence on the team's play and chemistry. For example, in both 04/05 and 05/06 it seems relatively obvious that Ronaldinho was critical to FCB's success and that an extended absence of the Brazilian in either season would've been very telling. He really was the backbone of the Blaugrana those two seasons. So, what about 08/09? Would a badly injured Messi effectively end Barcelona's chances at collecting trophies? To be sure, such a situation would put a damper on the squad, but would it seriously affect their chances? I don't think so for the simple reason that I believe Pep has put together a powerful squad, in terms of technical skill, team systematics and in pure determination.

Personally, the greatest loss of any one person on the squad would be Xavi. He is The Man. When you put together his stellar playmaking along with the fact that he's already got six goals this season, his loss would be a huge hole to fill on the pitch.

 Nearly the same goes for Iniesta. I say 'nearly' because the one thing he's yet to really do is make goals. Given he's been placed on the forward wing on a number of occasions, Iniesta does need to hone his finishing a little more. But aside from that, he stands neck to neck with Xavi in importance. The two of them together are quite literally the brains of the Catalan club's attack.

Okay, so who else? Eto'o, and in a big way. The Cameroon is on fire right now, and his amazing mobility and speed are essential to the forward line. I may be wrong but it looks like Samuel may have bulked up a bit, which can only improve his capabilities at No.9.  Also, he appears to have refined his technical skills with a finesse I really haven't seen from him up till this season. Eto'o is still Barça's s No.1 finisher, make no mistake. His absence would be keenly felt, indeed.

Last, but not least, there is Puyol. He's not perfect (only by a notch or two), but he is versatile, capable of either central defender or fullback. He has technical skill worthy of a forward and the fighting spirit to rival any homegrown player from the UK. Carles is Barça. When he's not in the back four, it almost seems the steel has gone out of the defense.

But, you know, it doesn't end there though--and this is the work of Guardiola, I feel. What makes FCB so strong this season is that they are a squad that complement one another. Besides Messi and Eto'o there's Bojan and Henry. In midfield we have a slue of holding midfielders in Yaya Toure, Keita and Busquets. These three are all unique yet can effectively provide that initial defense before the back four. And lets not forget Hleb and Gudjohnsen, two very good midfielders who are well suited to attacking with a few unique specialties of their own. The back line has Marquez, Pique, Caceres, Alves and Sylvinho for Pep to select as the opposition warrants. 

This flexibility of personnel is wonderfully merged with a unity of purpose, again the work of Guardiola, I'm convinced. There is greater drive with the team than in years past. There is a directness of play in both defense and attack I really can't recall seeing before. It's almost as if the players realize that each of them must contribute totally and in so doing become greater than the sum of their parts.

What we have is a team driven by Guardiola's vision of eleven players with a plan, the confidence to see it through and the audacity to directly come at the opposition with a combination of speed, ruthlessness and, most of all, flair.

Is Messi vital to FCB this campaign? Yes, but only so much as he's a key component among many diverse ones. His contribution to the squad is large, but relies heavily on the interplay of his mates. While his absence would be sorely missed, the fact is Barça are more than eleven individuals. They are Guardiola's vision personified, a singular concept on the pitch. Should Messi become injured, his place would be taken by Bojan or Henry or even Jeffrens if need be. The play of the forward line might change, but not the overall dynamics. And that is what makes FC Barcelona so unplayable these days: Guardiola's vision as coach. He is the indispensible component of the team.