miaowang123: consecutive game as his side crashed out of the Champions

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Guillem Balague believes lingering muscle problems could partly explain Lionel Messis dip in form for Barcelona. Rod Carew Angels Jersey . The Argentina international failed to score for the fifth consecutive game as his side crashed out of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.And Balague, who says Messis recent tendency to drop into midfield is limiting his effectiveness, thinks the Barca star is in pain. Lionel Messi was largely on the periphery as Barcelona were knocked out by Atletico Madrid When asked to explain Messis form on Sky Sports News HQ, Balague said: He has not scored in five games, and Barcelona depend on a very good Messi.Theres two ways to explain this. First, you look at him and hes dropping deeper, hes walking instead of running - although he normally does that - and he doesnt look as sharp. Whats up with Barca? Barcelona out: Reliance on Messi, Neymar and Suarez proves costly When he doesnt feel sharp he doesnt get in the box. As a midfielder, hes good but hes not that great.But you can also explain it in a different way. Minutes after the Atletico Madrid game finished a story came out that he has been struggling with muscle problems. Not an injury as such, but about three weeks ago he went to Venice to see a nutritionist and he was asking him, Why is it I dont feel well at the moment?It could be the training and hes in pain certainly, and all those things have made him perform at a lesser level.Some will say its just excuses, but look back at his last five games and you can see it hasnt been the same Messi. Ive checked with the family and the muscle issues are one of the problems that is worrying him. Antoine Griezmann scored once in each half to send Atletico Madrid into the Champions League semi-finals Barca have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, but sit three points clear of Atletico in La Liga and remain on course for a league and cup double.And Balague believes La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles will still represent a strong season, even if they failed in their pursuit of back-to-back trebles. This is what were used to seeing from Lionel Messi. They can still win the league and the cup, but nobody is talking about that because it has been a surprising demise in the last month, he added.Winning after winning is so difficult and to keep at that level for so long is almost impossible.Imagine if they do win the league, it means they will have had a good season, but if they also beat Sevilla in the cup, its a very good season. But at this point the Champions League blurs everything else and it looks like something is missing. Luis Enrique took full responsibility for Barcelonas Champions League defeat The main culprit according to the media in Catalonia is Luis Enrique, who hasnt done some of the things that made Barcelona good last season.Enrique has to be the coach and say Neymar you havent scored since mid-March and Messi perhaps you should rest too.But now there are seven games left and its difficult to tell them that because everyone wants to play as soon as possible and bounce back from what has been a hurtful defeat. Win a t-lab Peloton t-shirt We have teamed up with original British mens t-shirt label t-lab in our new giveaway Also See: Whats up with Barca? Griezmann knocks Barca out How Spain reacted to Barca loss Enrique: Im to blame for exit Darin Erstad Angels Jersey . - Kyle Wood and Barclay Goodrow scored second period power-play goals to provide all of the scoring for the North Bay Battalion in a 2-0 victory over the Erie Otters in Ontario Hockey League action on Thursday. CJ Wilson Angels Jersey . -- LeGarrette Blount made one last big splash into a soggy end zone.After two disappointing performances following the World Cup break, the Whitecaps returned to winning ways at home to Seattle Sounders last Saturday. The Caps now have the opportunity to make it back-to-back victories when they host Chivas USA at BC Place on Saturday night, live on TSN 2. The Form: The Whitecaps failed to score against Montreal Impact and Colorado Rapids but they found the net against Seattle thanks to another wonder-strike from Sebastian Fernandez. The 1-0 win against the Sounders was the Whitecaps 4th clean sheet of the season, and their second in a row at home. Honduran international Johnny Leveron had arguably his best game as a Cap in the centre of defence alongside Carlyle Mitchell, and defensive consistency should now be an aim for a club that has conceded two or more goals in half of its 16 matches. The Whitecaps have only lost once in their last nine matches and havent been beaten at home since early April. They are fifth in the Western Conference standings but with Portland and LA Galaxy close behind in the race for the playoffs. The Big Question: Can the Whitecaps stop Erick Torres? The young Mexican is the reigning MLS Player of the Week, and he is currently one of the leagues hottest strikers. He has scored 12 goals this season, including the winner in the last three matches and is second in scoring in MLS. Torres has been a tormentor for the Caps in the last couple of meetings. He scored against them when the teams drew 1-1 in California in March and got two goals in the 2-2 tie at BC Place last season. "He has super movement and is an excellent finnisher so we will have to be on our game, not just the defenders but as a team," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson. Zack Cozart Angels Jersey. The Opposition: Chivas USA are in excellent form as they arrive at BC Place. Having spent most of the season adrift at the bottom of the Western Conference, they have won their last three matches in a row and are now five points behind the Whitecaps. It hasnt just been about the excellent form of Torres. Chivas resurgence has been led by a new-found defensive solidity. They have kept three consecutive clean sheets, winning all of their last three matches by a score of 1-0. Chivas have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of some experienced MLS talent such as Marvin Chavez and Nathan Sturgis. They have also recently welcomed defensive midfielder Oswaldo Minda back from the World Cup where he appeared in two matches for Ecuador. The Lineup: With three matches in the space of a week, including two on the road, Carl Robinson will likely need to rely on his squad depth over the next week. Kicking off the week at home to Chivas theres a good chance he will name the same XI that started against Seattle. The Odds: The Whitecaps need to pick up points against the teams below them in the Western Conference standings, and also make home advantage count. Despite the string recent form of Chivas USA, Vancouver will go into this game as favourites, as they look to record consecutive victories for just the second time this season. Where to Watch: Vancouver Whitecaps against Chivas USA is live on TSN 2 on Saturday night at 10pm ET, 7pm PT. ' ' '