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[THREAD] Match Preview:
I've been thinking about 2 possible approaches Barça can adopt against Bayern Munich on Friday.
A somewhat conservative approach providing [imo] the highest possible floor for Barça, & a more ambitious approach that [imo] offers the highest ceiling.
![[THREAD] Match Preview:I've been thinking about 2 possible approaches Barça can adopt against Bayern Munich on Friday. A somewhat conservative approach providing [imo] the highest possible floor for Barça, & a more ambitious approach that [imo] offers the highest ceiling.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfTiv1iUEAURNqM.jpg "[THREAD] Match Preview:I've been thinking about 2 possible approaches Barça can adopt against Bayern Munich on Friday. A somewhat conservative approach providing [imo] the highest possible floor for Barça, & a more ambitious approach that [imo] offers the highest ceiling.")
I've been thinking about 2 possible approaches Barça can adopt against Bayern Munich on Friday.
A somewhat conservative approach providing [imo] the highest possible floor for Barça, & a more ambitious approach that [imo] offers the highest ceiling.
The first approach has been discussed but several accounts, & I do think will provide the highest possible floor for Barcelona's quality on the night.
It is in essence the same approach used vs Napoli, although with different personnel.
https://twitter.com/RPftbl/status/1293140834385195008?s=20
It is in essence the same approach used vs Napoli, although with different personnel.
https://twitter.com/RPftbl/status/1293140834385195008?s=20
Indeed, should Setién opt to be more conservative & absorb pressure, I'd personally prefer this diamond 442 shape over the setups adopted by EV at Anfield or in Rome.
This setup will help the team build-out from the back & deal with Bayern's press during spells of possession.
This setup will help the team build-out from the back & deal with Bayern's press during spells of possession.
As I've pointed out numerous times before, the team's downfall [imo] in recent UCL humiliations has been an inability to deal with the opposition's press. Consequently Messi receieved 40% fewer passes than he normally would. https://twitter.com/barca_natics/status/1133377706471677952?s=20
This was not a problem against Napoli however. Despite the conservative approach, Messi still received 53 passes on the night.
This indicates that the team did not have as much trouble in the build up as it has on previous occasions. https://twitter.com/barca_natics/status/1292188467879976968?s=20
This indicates that the team did not have as much trouble in the build up as it has on previous occasions. https://twitter.com/barca_natics/status/1292188467879976968?s=20
Griezmann was big reason for that. While he didn't have a spectacular game, he did play a crucial role for the team.
Griezmann was the target of 54 passes, receiving 83.3% of them. As you can see, the vast majority of these passes were progressive in nature.
Griezmann was the target of 54 passes, receiving 83.3% of them. As you can see, the vast majority of these passes were progressive in nature.
Griezmann constantly offered himself as a progressive passing option, allowing Barcelona to circumvent Napoli's high-press whenever they employed it.
This is something Barcelona lacked in the other UCL games, particularly at Anfield.
This is something Barcelona lacked in the other UCL games, particularly at Anfield.
In that match at Anfield, Coutinho (playing on the left), was the target of 42 passes, receiving a dismal 24 (57%) of them.
I think that should paint a clearer picture of how important the role Griezmann played was for this approach to work properly.
I think that should paint a clearer picture of how important the role Griezmann played was for this approach to work properly.
Ideally, I would prefer Puig to play this role vs Bayern, as I believe his skill-set is more suited to playing in tight spaces against a robust pressing side like Bayern.
With that said, Griezmann did prove himself capable of it vs Napoli.
With that said, Griezmann did prove himself capable of it vs Napoli.
As mentioned initially, the second approach I've considered is more ambitious.
This approach aims to take the game to Bayern, and have Barcelona be the protagonists. Consequently this approach is riskier, but I believe has a higher ceiling.
This approach aims to take the game to Bayern, and have Barcelona be the protagonists. Consequently this approach is riskier, but I believe has a higher ceiling.
Playing centrally, Messi will drop in between the lines to create a diamond/box midfield shape. This will create a free man to allow him on the ball.
Griezmann will play an important here. Playing as a winger when Alba pushes forward, and as a striker when the RB pushes forward
Griezmann will play an important here. Playing as a winger when Alba pushes forward, and as a striker when the RB pushes forward
This ensures that there will always be 3 runners ahead of Messi, that are spacing the pitch both vertically and horizontally.
When Setién briefly adopted this approach, Messi was able to create more shots for himself & his team via dribbles & OP passes. https://twitter.com/barca_natics/status/1273848289566261254?s=20
When Setién briefly adopted this approach, Messi was able to create more shots for himself & his team via dribbles & OP passes. https://twitter.com/barca_natics/status/1273848289566261254?s=20
This approach will also offer the team more direct outlets to attack Bayern's high-line, both in build-up and counter-attacking situations.
Moreover, given that both of Bayern's full-backs generally join the attack, Griezmann&Fati will likely have plenty of space to attack.
Moreover, given that both of Bayern's full-backs generally join the attack, Griezmann&Fati will likely have plenty of space to attack.
As I've mentioned in previous threads, Griezmann, Messi, & Barcelona looked significantly better when Setién briefly adopted this approach.
Many of you may not set much stock by the xG model, but this is very telling. https://twitter.com/barca_natics/status/1273848287565578243?s=20
Many of you may not set much stock by the xG model, but this is very telling. https://twitter.com/barca_natics/status/1273848287565578243?s=20
Additionally, Griezmann + Ansu (both of whom have a high work-rate) will be able to provide cover down the flanks against Bayern's overlapping full-backs.
Davies & Kimmich are a devastating offensively, and Barcelona will have their hands full down the flanks.
Davies & Kimmich are a devastating offensively, and Barcelona will have their hands full down the flanks.
The difficult decision (with this approach) is choosing between Puig [the superior ball carrier+chance creator] & Vidal [more effective presser+bigger scoring threat]
I decided to go with Puig, but will have little objections should Vidal start ahead of him.
I decided to go with Puig, but will have little objections should Vidal start ahead of him.
Football is probabilistic in nature. Neither approach (nor any other approach) can guarantee a result.
However, we can decide whether to go for:-
a) the lower variance approach (higher floor, lower ceiling)
b) the higher variance approach (lower floor, higher ceiling)
However, we can decide whether to go for:-
a) the lower variance approach (higher floor, lower ceiling)
b) the higher variance approach (lower floor, higher ceiling)
So I'll end this thread by asking you:- which approach do you prefer?
