Lionel Messi and his 'enviable' goalscoring slump
The Argentine failed to score in his last four outings, in the two Copa del Rey legs against Valencia and La Liga encounters with Espanyol and Getafe, in which Barcelona dropped points.
Lionel Messi couldn't find the back of the net against Getafe and what would seem like a slight decline for others, appears to be a full-blown mini-crisis for the Barca star. His last goal came on January 28 against Alaves, failing to score since against Valencia, in the Copa del Rey, and Espanyol and Getafe, in La Liga.
The Argentine's contributions have still been noticeable for the team, even if he was rather quiet on Sunday against Getafe. When Messi doesn't score, things are evidently harder for Barcelona. He was unstoppable at the start of the campaign, but January has been a tough month and the 30-year-old is yet to score in February.
Ernesto Valverde has attempted to rest his star, reducing his defensive obligations on the pitch much like he did in the Catalan derby at Cornella. Messi proved decisive, assisting Gerard Pique to score a late equaliser.
His impact had been key previously, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. Messi did not score, but he found Luis Suarez at the far post to get the tie on track for Barcelona. He couldn't even register an assist in the return fixture at Mestalla, with Suarez emerging as the hero to seal the Catalans' final berth.
His performance, however, will prove hard to forget. Dropping his position to pull the strings from midfield, Messi was the architect behind Barcelona's fifth successive Copa final. After a serious blow against Getafe, the Catalans will hope for the return of Messis' best version ahead of a crucial week. Eibar, Girona, Las Palmas and Atletico Madrid await in La Liga, and Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16.