Lionel Messi's Penalty Strategy Blamed for String of Barcelona Misses

Apparently, the one weakness in Lionel Messi's game is all down to a failed strategy. That's according to penalty expert Ben Lyttleton, who believes Messi's "Goalkeeper-Independent method" is costing the supremely talented attacker from the spot.

He gave that assessment after Messi saw a late penalty saved in Barcelona's 2-1 UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg win over Manchester City. Messi also proceeded to head the rebound wide after City stopper Joe Hart palmed his initial spot-kick clear.

In a Eurosport Pitchside article, Lyttleton detailed Messi's problems from 12 yards in recent seasons.

"Messi has now missed five of his last 10 penalties in all competitions, and four of his last seven for Barcelona. This season, he has missed three out of six."

Lyttleton directly attributes the dip in efficiency to Messi's change in tactics. He contends Messi had been relying on the so-called "Goalkeeper-Dependent" approach.

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Simply put, that's striking the ball only after a keeper has tipped his hand with a slight move one way or another. It's not a bad approach considering most goalies prefer to take an early step or two before the ball is hit.

But Lyttleton believes Messi is now striking his penalties regardless of what the keeper does. In essence, he's making his mind up before he hits the ball.

The problem is it's not working. Lyttleton cited misses at both club and international levels since Messi made the switch. He even detailed how the problem may be psychological.

"He has admitted in the past that nerves have affected him before important penalties," Lyttleton wrote. "Pressure can get to even the best players in the world."

This isn't mere nit-picking with a player who still knows no equal in terms of scoring from open play and creating chances for others. Instead, it's a real weakness, albeit not a fatal one.

Messi's miss shouldn't change the expected outcome of the tie with City. In fact, he doesn't even have to put himself in that position again.

Lyttleton suggests Messi either switches to what worked in the past or instead defer to a more able taker:

Messi doesn't usually like sharing the spotlight. But that may be the best solution to what is no longer an anomaly or a curious quirk.

The world's best player now has a real problem from the spot.