Back in 2005/06 season, Chelsea and Barcelona met in the Round 16 of the Champions League. Usual part of the preparation was to scout the opponent and Chelsea, led by Jose Mourinho, did their homework of the opponent, led by Ronaldinho, Puyol, Xavi, Eto’o and a certain 18-year old kind named Lionel Messi. The famous Argentinian has just been given his chance with a first team a year ago, and coach Frank Rijkaard was using him during the next season. As part of the game plan, a detailed analysis was written and recently revealed on the social media. André Villas-Boas’ report on 18-year-old Leo Messi back in 2005. pic.twitter.com/JdTFihB9Yn— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) September 1, 2021 It has been speculated that the analysis was written by Jose Mourinho, who coached Chelsea at the time, but he Portuguese denied it:”I am sorry to disappoint those who think I wrote the reports, but I did not. The reports are not mine. I did not write them. The last report I wrote I have it at home. I was in Barcelona and this was in the 1999/2000 season” he told The Sun. Soon enough, the real author was revealed, and he was then assistant and afterwards Mourinho’s successor: Andre Villas-Boas. It’s interesting to see how Messi and his teammates were analyzed by a future Chelsea boss. Villas-Boas went on to manage Spurs, Sankt Petersburg, Shanghai and Marseille. As per Football Talent Scout, this is what he wrote about Barcelona players:22:00 (2.20) IVORY COAST (2.95) CAMEROON (3.50)Lionel Messi: “Quality + speed but very left footed. Exactly the same behaviours as Ronaldinho. Inside between lines or diagonals. Encourages team forward by ball driving. Amazing 1 vs 1. If option is to foul him it’s important to do it outside the box and as early as possible. [Has] recovered from an injury recently“.Ronaldinho: “Technical quality to avoid defender on first touch. When opened receives the ball and the attacks full-back 1 vs 1 (inside to shoot or outside to cross). Much more dangerous when provocating spaces inside (between lines) from those positions forces a central defender out and then with a pen. pass releases Messi, Eto’o or the penetrating midfielder. Very poor defensive transition and defensive work – exploit. Constant cheater – falls easily”.Eto’o: “Explosive and aggressive with or without the ball. Skills in tight spaces. Chases, believes and keeps high-intensity rhythm throughout all game”. Carles Puyol: “Aggressive but very emotional. Gets crazy with the referee in fouls against him and goes mad in provocations. Aggressive defender, plays in anticipation using body. Bad positional sense (comes to midfield with striker) and bad leadership of defence (wants to do offside when it’s not possible). Because he uses his body strength to regain possession we can provocate contacts in the final third or outside the box. Good heading ability and power.”Regardless of the key players analysis, Chelsea lost to Barcelona, who managed to win the Champions League, defeating Arsenal in the final.
