Although I am going to analyse it anyway, the answer is probably no. As many have written since last nights Champions League events, where Messi appeared to once again be in a class of his own, you can look at facts, figures and formulas all you want but there is nothing you can do about a world class player. However, I do think Boateng could have avoided his blushes.
Messi picks up the ball
At this point Messi has found himself a little bit of space, however, Boateng has got him covered, he is currently on his weaker foot and you can see Bayern have 4 back to Barcelona's 2 forward (although Neymar is just out of shot.) Boateng at this point needs to give Messi the run on him and close down the space between them. The reason he didn't do this is because it does go against defending 101 a little bit.
Boateng gives Messi a hint of cutting inside
Defending 101 is to get goal side of your opponent which is what Boateng does. He gains the extra yard so that he can begin to turn and face Messi. It means that Messi, in theory, can't sprint away from him with Boateng clipping at his heels as could have been a potential problem with him moving towards him.
Messi brings the ball towards Boateng to force him to engage
Unfortunately this is Messi, and as such giving him space to cut inside is not a good idea. Now Messi has two options, he can cut inside or go down the line. Technically there is third option because he can pass, shoot or dribble and now Boateng is pulled into a guessing game.
Boateng's body position is not ready for Messi's next move
Boateng has also failed to square up to Messi properly, basically he has got too far goal side and Messi has already cut in behind him. He needed to head closer to Messi in the first place. Messi could well have cut inside earlier and more abruptly as a result of this, however, Alonso would have then engaged. Had Messi then played in Suarez who would have been left by Alonso, 'sweeper keeper' Neuer would have been called on to suss out the danger as Suarez closed in.
Messi makes his move as Boateng hopelessly falls to the floor
But now Messi has the space to cut back inside while Boateng is hopelessly turning and completely powerless to stop him. Had he not have tried so hard to get goal side Messi may have been running into a similar position however, Boateng wouldn't be out of the game and should still be in the mix to make the block.
Out of shot, Boateng is nowhere near Messi's sublime finish
Having said that, a finish like that is always difficult to deal with.
Messi's brilliance is his ability to make the right decision when attacking and of course there is no way of knowing how it would have panned out had Boateng done things differently. Also levels of fatigue played a factor in the game and getting goal side instead of engaging is often a sign of fatigue as Boateng is effectively saying 'I am not chasing you.' I don't think engaging Messi early is the answer but I do think forcing him in a very specify direction is, if he has to cut inside, make sure he cuts inside so that the ball is behind him and then just hope your legs have enough energy for the chase and pray there is no magic left in his boots.
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