[1/17] Wondering what formation, lineups & tactics Ronald Koeman will use at Barca this season? Wonder no more! Here is a detailed analysis of what you can expect from the Dutch manager. #Koeman #Barca #Barcelona #Bartomeu #Messi #LaLiga
[2/17] Let's look at formations Koeman used at past clubs. For each season (17 total), here are his most frequently used formations & respective final league positions.
1⃣ 4-2-3-1 used in last 4 seasons
2⃣ 4-3-3 Attacking used in 7/17 seasons
3⃣ 2 league titles won with 4-3-3 A
[3/17] Here is Koeman's 4-2-3-1 at Southampton in 15/16. Koeman's Front 4 is very dynamic: they can all switch roles with each other in attack to create overloads. This is key to Koeman's game. Next up: let's see Koeman Ball in action!
[4/17] Koeman Ball: Create overload by playing the LW on the right. RW combines with AM, then passes to RB. As the ball approaches, LW slips back into position, dragging the opposition RCB & RB with him, creating space for ST to receive LB's pass & score. [AVL 2 - 4 SOU 15/16]
[5/17] Here is Koeman's 4-2-3-1 at Everton in 16/17. He had a traditional ST in Lukaku, who wasn't very dynamic (at the time). Barkley could play deep during the build-up. Baines could move up quickly to combine with the wingers. Next: see Everton play Koeman Ball!
[6/17] More Koeman Ball: This time, the RW overloads the left side. The 2 DMs stay put while the AM drops deep to fetch the ball from the CBs & then combine with LB & LW. RW receives the ball from LW & draws a penalty before he can pass it to ST. Deadly! [EVE 3 - 0 SOU 16/17]
[7/17] Now, let's take a look at the tools in Koeman's toolbox. Here is the Barca full squad as of Sep 15, 2020. Barca is loaded with forwards & midfielders, but the backline is seriously lacking. Will Bartomeu buy a LB/RB & a CB, or will he opt for Depay & Wijnaldum?
[8/17] Here is the rest of the team. Ter Stegen will miss ~ 1 month of the start of the season due to injury. Given how many points-winning saves the brick wall "Spiderman" made last season, will Barca suffer as a result? Is Neto up to the task?
[9/17] Let's talk formations/tactics. Koeman will likely use 4-2-3-1. It maximizes the talent Barca has & paid hefty transfer fees for. Many unknowns:
1⃣ Can Griezmann cut it at CF?
2⃣ Is Semedo a Barca level RB?
3⃣ Can Messi & Coutinho coexist centrally?
What do you think?
[10/17] 4-2-3-1 tactics:
1⃣ De Jong: Cover if Semedo out of position OR Messi is dispossessed, make forward runs
2⃣ Semedo: makeshift RW
3⃣ Alba: more defensive since Dembele is natural LW
4⃣ Coutinho: share space with Messi, support Griez as 2nd Striker, cut-in on right foot™️
[11/17] Here are some alternative 4-2-3-1 XIs:
1⃣ Messi as AM, Dembele RW & defensive Roberto at RB.
2⃣ Fati as AM instead of Messi, Puig for creativity & Araujo for more pace to balance things
3⃣ Youngsters! Trincao, Pedri, Miranda, Todibo & Wagué
Which one do you prefer?
[12/17] Koeman experiments with formations. 4-3-3 A will likely be his alternate. Coutinho back to midfield & Puig for Puig, for more creativity. Less congested in the middle: Messi's HQ.
1⃣ Can Coutinho cut it in midfield?
2⃣ Pjanic vs. Puig: who should win?
What do you think?
[13/17] 4-3-3 A tactics:
1⃣ De Jong: Back 3, with occasional forward runs, cover Messi & Semedo
2⃣ Puig: Creative passes through the lines, forward runs if Messi cuts in left
3⃣ Coutinho: Control tempo in midfield, defensive work, through passes to Messi, Griezmann & Dembélé
[14/17] Here are some alternative 4-3-3 A XIs:
1⃣ Messi on the bench?! This is the "Heresy XI." 2 natural wingers, creative Puig & Pjanic/De Jong for defensive balance
2⃣ Busy starting at CDM. Our last chance to see that probably 😭
3⃣ Coutinho CM & Braithe CF
Like any of them?
[15/17] My final conclusions: I like 4-2-3-1 as our main formation & 4-3-3 A as our alternate. Koeman has used them very effectively in the past. However, this is the first time Barca is using this formation. There are many questions that Koeman (& players) has to answer:
[16/17] If you appreciate what I do & want to help me to keep doing it, you can http://buymeacoffee.com/bane 
[17/17] Thank you for reading my analysis! If you enjoyed, please follow, like, comment & share! This is the index with additional info about the data, stats & me. I've made 5 more analyses like this one in the past. Check them out below 👇🏿!
[18/17] I analyzed Koeman's entire club managerial career in great detail! Check out the THREAD below 👇🏿! https://twitter.com/BaneOfShadowz/status/1303964951711678465?s=20
[19/17] I analyzed Messi's performance over 16 years for #Barca from 2004/05 - 2019/20. Check out the THREAD below 👇🏿! https://twitter.com/BaneOfShadowz/status/1301063215502090241?s=20
[20/17] I analyzed Barca's team performances under Bartomeu. They help explain why Messi wants to leave. Check out the THREAD below 👇🏿! https://twitter.com/BaneOfShadowz/status/1298504624719052800?s=20
[21/17] I analyzed Barca's squad ahead of the coming 20/21 season. I looked at the current squad list, potential transfers & possible formations. Check out the THREAD below 👇🏿! https://twitter.com/BaneOfShadowz/status/1297477966562131968?s=20
[22/17] I analyzed Barca's transfers under President #Bartomeu in great detail. Bartomeu's transfer policy is a pivotal part of Barca's collapse. Check out the THREAD below 👇🏿! https://twitter.com/BaneOfShadowz/status/1295664273012584448?s=20
You can follow @BaneOfShadowz.
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