FcBarcelona (2-3-4-1) - LaLiga,Champions League & Copa Del Rey - - ShareMyTactics.com
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I know Paulinho is not brilliant in terms of his form. This is how Barca is lined up during its buildup -Rakitic is doing brilliantly in terms of making Busquets cover up less ground as well as also controlling the game himself. -Busquets also either goes up or covers the area hole which Rakitic left behind. Their communication has been key this season. -Jordi Alba and Semedo or Roberto push up high to provide more with.------Especially Alba who is now more independent after that Left flank was vacated by Neymar. -Iniesta moves more central but at a place where he and Alba can combine so that Messi and Suarez keep on making the runs in the box. It is also to be noted that Iniesta usually does this so that he could be a threat from the distance, press and also keep the man who should be on Alba, on himself so that Alba could easily cut the ball inside the box. -Suarez's role is only to make runs behind the defenders and to stay at the shoulder of the final defender that is why he has racked up so many offside numbers. -Messi has more freedom now and could arrive at the box late, given that the two opposing CB will be busy with Suarez, that is why we have witnessed more of "Alba Messi Connection" this season. He also plays between the line which was his False 9 role but also comes to the midfield to become an extra option. -Paulinho is used as a force which is more physical and can be used to harras the midfield of the opposition. He is also used to connect the midfield with Messi and Suarez. He is also an aerial threat and some who could score stunners as well as link-ups. He was basically brought to bring balance to the team and has bluffed every Barca fan (including me). With his presence, Busquets has less offensive duties to make runs and also worry about the oppositions half. Now with Paulinho's presence, Busquets could just worry about keeping the possession, splitting the opposition's channels. Due to covering less area he could save up his stamina for defensive duties, that is why we witnessed many pokes free by him this season; due to a lot of stamina saved up he has played almost every game this season and does not look tired at all, it will be hard to replace this one. -Umtiti has been one of the best players in this squad, someone who stays calm during pressing. We have now witnessed his transformation from a Centre Back who used to sit and play short passes from a ball playing Centre Back and one who makes runs now. His defensive output is brilliant and during some matches looked like the leader of that Barcelona's undefeated backline. He covers more of the left-hand side after Alba goes up so that he could collect the ball from their and distribute it to the midfield or pass it to Pique who is a master when it comes to distribution. When the opposition has the ball he tucks(and Alba has to sprint back which he is good at to cover the width) in and goes back to his defensive duties, especially during counter attacks. -Piques does the same as Umtiti excepts provide more help to the RB when the opposition is attacking, he helps out Roberto a lot, he is also the one who targets the target man cause of his height. He and Umtiti occupy the fullback area during Ter Stegen's goal kicks or him being in possession to give more options. After conceding the goal he is the one who awakes the time and shouts at his teammates like a leader, much like his former partner Puyol. -Since Terstegen is so good on the ball he is usually playing long balls and is an option when fullbacks are fully pressed during a play, he is also good with ball at his feets and can be on it for a bit longer, forcing the striker to run at him to pick it up, and lose his energy. To be honest, this is a different Barca team one that relies on MS (Messi Suarez) to score does not rely on them to defend, this is one of the most balanced teams in world football right now. Every member of this team knows what part to play and plays it pretty decent. This team is also the one which has done some incredible turnarounds this season. Hard to imagine a team which Copa 90 made a video of them being so f*cked has turned the tables so fast. One thing I learned from Valverde is, when looking to build something back again and doubts are placed, be patient and solve everything piece by piece. Keeping Messi on the bench and fixing relations with Suarez and bringing his form back is something that was some brilliant works he did this season. Not to mention being unbeaten in the League and getting Coutinho and Dembele, and getting the best out of Alba, Messi Suarez, Paulinho and the whole Barca team is just crazy.
