What's happened to MSN trident? Barça need Messi, Suarez & Neymar on form

There are various factors which explain the football and results crisis Barcelona are currently going through, especially in La Liga. And one of them is the drop in form of the trident since the last international break. 

The 'FIFA virus' has attacked with more force than ever the three members of the MSN, who played demanding games with their respective national teams. Messi, Suarez and Neymar have lost efficiency in attack and that has weakened Barça, who essentially live via goals from their forwards. 

The statistics from the last month are enormously revealing. Above all keeping in mind the numbers we're used to. They have 'only' scored seven goals in six games and two of them have been from dead balls (Messi's penalty in Glasgow and Suarez's header in the Clasico). 

During this mini crisis, Barça have lost six points in the league -- draws with Malaga, Real Sociedad and Real Madrid. And they have only won twice, against Sevilla and Celtic. On top of that, they were easily beaten by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. 

Suffering the most from the 'FIFA virus' is Neymar, who has not scored in his last 11 shots. Luis Suarez has scored twice from 13 shots and Messi, even though he's scored five goals, has needed 18 shots to do so. It's a success rate a long way below the MSN's usual numbers. 

Therefore, Luis Enrique's objective is to restore his front three's effectiveness. Starting with goals, Barça must begin to recover. The first test will be on Saturday in Pamplona, against bottom of the table Osasuna. And after that, the derby against Espanyol at Camp Nou. 

On Tuesday, in the Champions League against Borussia Monchengladbach, it's likely there will be rotations. Luis Suarez could rest and Neymar is suspended. Messi will play. The trio won't play against Hercules, either, so the two Liga games before Christmas are important. For Barça to be at their best, they need the trident back on form.