Missing Samuel Eto'o

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. In the case of Samuel Eto’o’s absence, Barcelona have discovered who the true centre piece of their attacking force was, both literally and figuratively. Eto’o went down with a knee injury against Werder Bremen in late September in a Champions League match. The injury required surgery and the Cameroon forward is unlikely to return for the Catalan giants until March. If Barcelona are still in the Champions League by then and in the running for La Liga, his return will be a huge boost. His absence has been very telling in the past six weeks.

Ask the average fan who makes Barcelona tick going forward, and the chances are you will hear Ronaldinho or Lionel Messi’s names before that of Samuel Eto’o. The football world already knows that Eto’o is world class, but the time spent injured has almost certainly shown that he is integral to Barcelona’s potency for more than just his goals.

Samuel Eto’o made his name in Spain at Mallorca, scoring goals aplenty in a largely average side. Having never been given a chance to prove himself at Real Madrid, Eto’o would almost make a point to score against them each and every time he faced them. Watching Eto’o play against Madrid, is very much like watching a man on a mission to constantly remind them of what they could have had.

By now, Real Madrid have surely got the point.

After four years at Mallorca, including two prolific ones, Eto’o earned a move to Barcelona. At first, he excelled in tandem with Ronaldinho as the Catalans went on to win La Liga in the 2004/05 season. Joined more regularly by Lionel Messi in 2005/06, the duo of Eto’o/Ronaldinho became a devastating trio that would put fear into opposition defences just looking at a team sheet. Having scored 28 goals in total during his first season, Eto’o increased his tally to 32 in 2005/06, helping Barcelona to a La Liga and Champions League double (inc. scoring the vital equaliser in the final against Arsenal).

Samuel Eto’o was unable to exhibit his talents at the World Cup after Cameroon had missed out on qualification thanks to an injury time penalty miss by Pierre Wome (controversy as to why Eto’o had not taken the penalty followed). Having had a Summer off, Eto’o would have been looking forward to more goals and more success for Barcelona in 2006/07. He started the season in predictably prolific form with 5 goals in 6 games before picking up the untimely injury in Germany.

Barcelona have missed him greatly since, despite still being able to call on both Ronaldinho and Messi, a gaping void is present without Eto’o. It would be hard to replace Eto’o, very few players in the world can offer his attributes and excellence at the highest level, but Barcelona don’t even have a poor man’s replica and their dynamic attack has looked short of its usual sting and precision.

Eidur Gudjohnsen was called to replace Eto’o, but it is a different type of player. Unable to receive the ball with his back to goal, turn, and run at defenders. Gudjohnsen can hold the ball up and link the attack and midfield, but his lack of pace is evident in an attack that has previously impressed with its speed as well as skill.

If it was not already obvious to Barcelona, and anyone else for that matter, how badly Eto’o would be missed, the evidence was there to see in the two Champions League matches with Chelsea and the Clasico with Real Madrid. In both matches versus Chelsea, especially at Stamford Bridge, Barcelona looked short upfront. Lacking a cutting edge, and having to put together precise moves just to create half chances. The kind of chances Eto’o had been able to generate for Barcelona just with his pace and directness alone.

Barcelona’s other forward option is Argentine, Javier Saviola. Having been effectively forced out of the Catalan club in the past two years, due more to politics and contract wrangles than his ability on the pitch. Saviola is a short, fast and skilful forward who benefits from playing alongside a reference, like Samuel Eto’o. He is unlikely to produce as many goals as he once did at River Plate or in his earlier career at Barcelona while playing in what can at times be an isolated forward position.

Barcelona have enough about them to be either at the top of La Liga or at the very least in the mix of the title race once Eto’o returns, their Champions League future is the more urgent case. They are likely to need to defeat Levski Sofia away - which they should - and then a crunch match with Werder Bremen at home to ensure they advance to the knock out stages.

Barcelona will be hoping that when Samuel Eto’o returns around March time in 2007, that will be the vital piece in the jigsaw they need to retain their La Liga and Champions League titles.