2. False 9

Guardiola giving introductions to Messi's for his new role as 'False 9' before the 2-6 vicotry at Bernabeu

02/05 2009 Real Madrid 2 FC Barcelona 6

2 May 2009 was historic day. Why? Beacuse it was the first time that Guardiola changed Messi's position. He took him away from the Left Winger position and gave him a new role, which we today know as a 'False 9' And the fact that he did it against Real Madrid and they won the historic game 2-6 and Messi scored 2 and assisted 1 goal, makes it even sweeter. Since then Messi's start really begin to shine and he is above everybody else at the moment.


As you can see pictures above the Barcelona's formation and Messi's role. Now he is no more on the right flank and cutting inside, he plays more centrally, Eto'o on his right and Henry on his left. He has more freedom now, he can come deeper to get teh ball, or keep it going with Xavi and Iniesta, he can make his runs behind the defence, but also play troughballs to either Eto'o or Henry.

Valdes -  Alves Pique Puyol Abidal - Yaya Xavi Iniesta - Eto'o Messi Henry 

Messi comes deeper to get the ball from Henry

Madrid struggled to find anybody to mark Messi, because he didn't play on the wing as usual and the defenders didn't come with him to mark him either.

Messi have 2 options to play the ball there - Eto'o and Henry. He plays One-two with Henry behind the defence.

Henry Gol - 

Possession 6-2 -

Messi's new role as 'False 9' which means that he plays the same position that Eto'o did before him, but he comes often deeper to get the ball.