Lionel Messi is presenting Barcelona with a penalty poser, with Ronald Koeman admitting that he needs another reliable option from 12 yards after seeing seven spot-kicks spurned this season.
Failings from 12 yards almost cost the Blaugrana dear in their last outing, as two opportunities were passed up before edging out Cornella 2-0 in the Copa del Rey.
Barca did go to a shootout in a Super Cup semi-final clash against Real Sociedad, with Koeman’s men just about holding their nerve in that contest to prevail 3-2.
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A fluffing of lines has, however, become an all too common occurrence this season, with Messi, Ousmane Dembele, Martin Braithwaite, Antoine Griezmann and Miralem Pjanic all failing from the spot.