Samuel Eto’o's form leaves Guardiola with some big decisions
Two goals in the last 9 games. That is the total tally for Samuel Eto’o. Here is an overview over the games:
- FC Barcelona vs. Recreativo Huelva 2-0 (Eto’o didn’t participate)
- Bayern Munich vs. FC Barcelona 1-1
- Getafe vs. FC Barcelona 0-1
- FC Barcelona vs. Sevilla 4-0 (Eto’o scored a tap-in)
- Valencia vs. FC Barcelona 2-2
- FC Barcelona vs. Chelsea 0-0
- Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona 2-6
- Chelsea vs. FC Barcelona 1-1
- FC Barcelona vs. Villarreal 3-3 (Eto’o scored another tap-in)
- Athletic Bilbao vs. FC Barcelona 1-4
The games tell the very true story that Eto’o simply can’t seem to find the net at the moment. The two goals he has scored in this 10 period games where easy can’t miss chances.
In this period, Guardiola has played Eto’o more on the flanks than previously which carries some of the blame. However, he only chose to do so after he stopped scoring and it intensified after Henry’s injury. Against Madrid he played a right wing for most of the game with Messi in center, and yesterday against Bilbao he was in the left wing spot.
Unfortunately this isn’t the whole story. As the commentators said under the game yesterday, Eto’o should have scored a hattrick. He still gets to the chances but he just can’t seem to convert them anymore.
His drop in form is a big worry for the Blaugrana. In order to beat Manchester United in the Champions League final, every player has to play up to his best. This includes Eto’o.
We can’t afford to seem him miss chances like the ones yesterday. His miss in the first game against Chelsea was also very close to costing the Champions League finals pot. It has to be said that he created the chance by himself. The problem is, that he would have converted it when he was scoring at will in the autumn – he doesn’t do that anymore.
So Guardiola faces a tough decision. Rest Eto’o in the coming matches or play him and hope that he regains his form? The answer to that question is a very hard one and it will be exciting to see what Guardiola chooses to do.
This article was originally published at www.elbarca.net
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I think Eto’o should be rested next game. On the same note, some of the players rested yesterday should get some minutes in the next game so there won’t be any rust. Also Eto’o can play the last game to make sure Fabi don’t surpass him on the overall goal.
May 18th, 2009 @ 15:58He is human and u could see fatigue in him. He makes good runs and good looks but some how cant finish but the goal will come. He needs to relax and be calm for he is a great striker and he knows that this thing happens but is not going to last forever. I know he is going to score in the finals.
May 18th, 2009 @ 17:44I know Eto is capable of scoring goals.He needs to play more of central role instead of him playing in the flank.
May 19th, 2009 @ 12:06No worries Pep, things like this happens to great players all the time. The press can make a mountain out of a mole-hill, but I want Barca to conentrate and be more focused this tme around. Eto’o must play the remaining league matches to claim his deserved trophy this season, Barca must set a new league goals record by surpassing the 107 set by Real Madrid. This is the time to set new RECORDS! and claim what is rightly ours!
May 19th, 2009 @ 23:29beside messi eto,o is the key player of barcelona so the coach have to understand the rule he plays in that team not only to take his hatre for eto,o to avoid him from getting his reward this season.beside all he is a good player with all the abilities a team need and what he have done so far the team is enjoying too
May 22nd, 2009 @ 03:37Eto’o has his movements, his strength, his passes and his instinct where to go to get the ball, and most of all he gets more chances than anyone. To the most part that is his own making than anything else. The only problem is how much his attempts on goal are saved by the goalies, the answer is almost all of them. Its frustrating. He is in-form but he is not in-form.
May 22nd, 2009 @ 06:08It doesn’t matter who they get, Barca cannot beat ManU without capable Eto’o. He is a bad ass striker who gives grief to any opposing couch. I say keep him for that game and see what happens.