Lionel Messi can learn from Falcao's example

It was the reality that, aside from a handful of sparkling moments that we almost take for granted from a player of his quality, he looked lost and ineffective in his role as a withdrawn No. 9, a centre-forward who could neither create nor define amongst a sea of tenacious defenders.

No-one could make the case that the Porto striker is a better player than the little Argentine, but Falcao demonstrated on Wednesday that he could become the focal point of an attack in the way that Lionel has struggled to over the last week.

Dropping deep, he had the strength to hold off the opposition defence, time and again drawing two markers before releasing a colleague into space. And when it fell to him to beat a man, Radamel proved himself capable of surging past with skill and pace. 

Most importantly, the Colombian did not allow himself to get sucked back into midfield like his opposite number. His territory begins on the edge of the final third and ends in the penalty area, and in this sector there are few who can match him run-for-run, shot-for-shot.