Barca 1-1 Napoli | 1st Leg | UEL Playoffs
67% Possession. 20 shots in total. 696 Passes Completed. 916 touches. & Total Domination in the 2nd half.
How did we not win this?
Best Performance against arguably the best side Xavi's Barca has faced till now.
Let's Analyze!
🧵
67% Possession. 20 shots in total. 696 Passes Completed. 916 touches. & Total Domination in the 2nd half.
How did we not win this?
Best Performance against arguably the best side Xavi's Barca has faced till now.
Let's Analyze!
🧵
To put things in context before anything.
NAPOLI ->
- 3rd in Serie A, with just 2 points off the top.
- The 4th Best defense in Top 5 European Leagues, sitting behind City, Sevilla & Wolves.
NAPOLI ->
- 3rd in Serie A, with just 2 points off the top.
- The 4th Best defense in Top 5 European Leagues, sitting behind City, Sevilla & Wolves.
They have been one of the best sides in Europe this season and without any doubt, the most difficult opposition Xavi's Barca has faced till now.
Barca ended the 1st half with 61% possession, but that increased to 73% for the dominant 2nd half display.
Let's roll back a bit 1st.
Barca ended the 1st half with 61% possession, but that increased to 73% for the dominant 2nd half display.
Let's roll back a bit 1st.
Barca set up in the classic 4-3-3 but the changes across positions gave us a new look.
Frenkie started as the No 6, with Nico & Pedri the supporting interiors.
A front 3 of Ferran, Auba & Adama gave a fresh look to the whole team.
Frenkie started as the No 6, with Nico & Pedri the supporting interiors.
A front 3 of Ferran, Auba & Adama gave a fresh look to the whole team.
Napoli is a team that enjoys having possession.
A double pivot of Anguissa & Ruiz supporting the defense consisting of an amazing ball-playing defender like Koulibaly & co, our pressing as they build-up was going to be very important.
A double pivot of Anguissa & Ruiz supporting the defense consisting of an amazing ball-playing defender like Koulibaly & co, our pressing as they build-up was going to be very important.
Barca deployed a 2-3-1-4 off-the-ball shape to not give Napoli players the chance to build from the back & force them to ping long balls.
Ferran & Auba doubling up on the 2 CBs, with the interiors pushed up to mark the pivots, it all worked perfectly.
Ferran & Auba doubling up on the 2 CBs, with the interiors pushed up to mark the pivots, it all worked perfectly.
Perfect Example of the Press.
The Theme that I liked was the cohesion & the minimal allowance of pace which was evident from the top to the last player in the defense.
The Press forced Napoli to go long or look for avenues with a very low success rate.
The Theme that I liked was the cohesion & the minimal allowance of pace which was evident from the top to the last player in the defense.
The Press forced Napoli to go long or look for avenues with a very low success rate.
The last instance you saw was from a goal-kick, but the same intensity can be seen when Napoli was trying to build using their prime outlets.
See here how the players allowed very small spaces for them to work into and forced them into errors.
See here how the players allowed very small spaces for them to work into and forced them into errors.
With this high press, it leaves the player with the ball with few outlets. & if it's the GK, his distribution becomes an asset.
Here, Meret with very few options. tries to play short, but the ball is intercepted by Nico & the ball turns over.
Here, Meret with very few options. tries to play short, but the ball is intercepted by Nico & the ball turns over.
Napoli, with the double pivot as the anchor of their midfield, employed a similar scheme off the ball.
Zelinski & Osimhen were onto our 2 CBs & one of their pivot coming advanced & marking Fdj.
Wingers came inside to cover the interiors dropping back.
Zelinski & Osimhen were onto our 2 CBs & one of their pivot coming advanced & marking Fdj.
Wingers came inside to cover the interiors dropping back.
When that happened, as I said earlier, to find the free man with a long ball in space is where the break lies.
& MATS did exactly that. At times he found that free man (mostly Alba) & Barca built their attacks from there.
& MATS did exactly that. At times he found that free man (mostly Alba) & Barca built their attacks from there.
That's where the difference of Profiles was seen in comparison to Fdj & Busquets.
With Busi, it's a rare sight to see him drop as the LCB & drive with the ball. But, with Fdj, that's exactly what he did numerous times.
& that's where his excellent trait came out in the best way
With Busi, it's a rare sight to see him drop as the LCB & drive with the ball. But, with Fdj, that's exactly what he did numerous times.
& that's where his excellent trait came out in the best way
->Progressive Running<-
With the midfield being too crowded, Fdj, at times, dropped on the left & became that extra man to drive the ball/find a free man up ahead.
Had a very good game at that position, with some big shoes to fill, but with his own style
With the midfield being too crowded, Fdj, at times, dropped on the left & became that extra man to drive the ball/find a free man up ahead.
Had a very good game at that position, with some big shoes to fill, but with his own style
With that said, that's where the fluidity of our midfield was seen.
The ease with which Pedri, Fdj & Nico complemented each other was astonishing, and one of few reasons Barca bypassed Napoli midfield many times.
The ease with which Pedri, Fdj & Nico complemented each other was astonishing, and one of few reasons Barca bypassed Napoli midfield many times.
Aubameyang, starting his 1st game, had a decent game.
The connection that we might have expected b/w him & Ferran was missing, but that can only develop with enough playing time.
- Dragging the CBs out & laying the ball off.
- Engaging in the box.
The connection that we might have expected b/w him & Ferran was missing, but that can only develop with enough playing time.
- Dragging the CBs out & laying the ball off.
- Engaging in the box.
Here is a great build-up play where the Barca initially having the ball loses it, wins it with coordinated isolation, & carves out a chance.
Unfortunately, Pedri skies it over.
Unfortunately, Pedri skies it over.
Another thing that you might notice here is this.
- Initially, as Fdj is a bit advanced, Pedri realizes that & positions himself behind him.
As the attack goes on Fdj holds his defensive position, & Pedri is then free to run in the box & take a shot.
Complementing each other!
- Initially, as Fdj is a bit advanced, Pedri realizes that & positions himself behind him.
As the attack goes on Fdj holds his defensive position, & Pedri is then free to run in the box & take a shot.
Complementing each other!
Napoli had Route 1 as their primary counter tactic.
With Barca dominating in advanced positions, any turnover was a chance to look forward & find a running Osimhen just on the shoulder of our defense.
With Barca dominating in advanced positions, any turnover was a chance to look forward & find a running Osimhen just on the shoulder of our defense.
But, Barca did a good job to contain him.
Restricting Osimhem to just a total of 16 touches over the course of 80' was a job well done on part of the defense.
But, an instance where they didn't do well is the time when Napoli easily scored.
Restricting Osimhem to just a total of 16 touches over the course of 80' was a job well done on part of the defense.
But, an instance where they didn't do well is the time when Napoli easily scored.
This is not expected at this level.
Pedri, initially applying pressure, leaves Zelinski alone when he enters the box.
Fdj is caught ball watching & ends in no man's land.
Eric, not tracking his player well, and is caught in no position to do anything.
Pedri, initially applying pressure, leaves Zelinski alone when he enters the box.
Fdj is caught ball watching & ends in no man's land.
Eric, not tracking his player well, and is caught in no position to do anything.
Only 1 instance where I can point this, but that's what matters at this level.
Barca was in an ascendency & forcing Napoli to defend deep in their half. Napoli's goal came just after Ferran missed this.
Barca was in an ascendency & forcing Napoli to defend deep in their half. Napoli's goal came just after Ferran missed this.
From the above-missed chance, notice 2 things.
i- Fdj & Nico drags the midfield towards the right side & opens up space on the left.
ii- Pedri, as Fdj did many times, dropped at the LCB position & plays a great through ball.
Great buildup but the finish was lacking!
i- Fdj & Nico drags the midfield towards the right side & opens up space on the left.
ii- Pedri, as Fdj did many times, dropped at the LCB position & plays a great through ball.
Great buildup but the finish was lacking!
After HT, the dynamics changed.
Barca was more intense and looked like a team with clear ideas, whereas Napoli overplaying & losing possession in dangerous areas.
We finished the 2nd half, with 73% possession, 13 shots in total, of which 4 were on target.
Improved after HT!
Barca was more intense and looked like a team with clear ideas, whereas Napoli overplaying & losing possession in dangerous areas.
We finished the 2nd half, with 73% possession, 13 shots in total, of which 4 were on target.
Improved after HT!
Distribution from the back becomes important, as I said earlier & Barca started the 2nd half with the same idea.
With just 20 seconds gone, MATS distribution came in handy & he pinged in the ball to Nico who flicked it to Auba.
With just 20 seconds gone, MATS distribution came in handy & he pinged in the ball to Nico who flicked it to Auba.
Similar Distribution but this time to the free man in the midfield, Pedri who again flicked on to Auba which eventually lead to opening up Napoli's defense.
As Dembele was brought on for Adama, there were whistles but they dried out after some touches as he showed the quality that he brings on the field.
- Eric plays into Pedri, who on the half-turn, switches flank.
-Dembele drives towards the box, & plays a good 1-2 with Dest.
- Pedri, being the starting point, ends up in the box, and sweeps the ball to Ferran for just the GK to beat.
Another missed!
-Dembele drives towards the box, & plays a good 1-2 with Dest.
- Pedri, being the starting point, ends up in the box, and sweeps the ball to Ferran for just the GK to beat.
Another missed!
- Initially, Pedri receives on the left and the ball ends up on the right (not included in the video)
- Gavi & Dembele combine well, and the latter plays a dangerous ball in.
Another chance where our lack of an elite finisher was exposed.
Good Buildup!
- Gavi & Dembele combine well, and the latter plays a dangerous ball in.
Another chance where our lack of an elite finisher was exposed.
Good Buildup!
Another intense Pressing & Chance.
- Barca wins the ball in the midfield 3rd.
- Luuk is played into space by Ferran who continues his intelligent run from the back of Ruiz.
- Luuk plays it inside to Ferran who skies another chance.
Tough Day for Him!
- Barca wins the ball in the midfield 3rd.
- Luuk is played into space by Ferran who continues his intelligent run from the back of Ruiz.
- Luuk plays it inside to Ferran who skies another chance.
Tough Day for Him!
There is no need to mention the game that Pedri had, but let's talk about those who got the chance today.
Nico, who came in place of Gavi had a very good game. His physicality combined with the magnet he has to never give the ball away is a profile this team needs.
Nico, who came in place of Gavi had a very good game. His physicality combined with the magnet he has to never give the ball away is a profile this team needs.
With Araujo out, Eric came in.
The work on his off-the-ball quality might need some time but his on-the-ball is crucial for the team.
With 98.2% pass completion, 11 passes in the final 3rd & 9 tackles+Interceptions, all MOST in the team, it was refreshing to see him play again.
The work on his off-the-ball quality might need some time but his on-the-ball is crucial for the team.
With 98.2% pass completion, 11 passes in the final 3rd & 9 tackles+Interceptions, all MOST in the team, it was refreshing to see him play again.
Ferran Torres.
With an npxG of 0.8, you would expect to score, but he didn't.
But, he didn't have a bad game, except for those missed chances.
Xavi perfectly described it, "Even Suarez suffered at the start & missed easy chances".
Time to support him as he has that quality!
With an npxG of 0.8, you would expect to score, but he didn't.
But, he didn't have a bad game, except for those missed chances.
Xavi perfectly described it, "Even Suarez suffered at the start & missed easy chances".
Time to support him as he has that quality!
With 744 passes, 501 of those were in Napoli's half- Total Domination.
& it's not a relegation battling side. It's Napoli, playing some beautiful football in Italy.
Clear Progress, and arguably, the best game Barca played.
The Games only get tougher from here!
Buckle Up!
& it's not a relegation battling side. It's Napoli, playing some beautiful football in Italy.
Clear Progress, and arguably, the best game Barca played.
The Games only get tougher from here!
Buckle Up!
Thanks for Reading!
Hope you liked it. Thanks for Constant Support! 🤝
Provide any kind of feedback, & things I should add/subtract, the next time I write any Thread.
Will help me a lot!
With that said, Thanks Again!
Have a great day ahead!
👋 👋
Hope you liked it. Thanks for Constant Support! 🤝
Provide any kind of feedback, & things I should add/subtract, the next time I write any Thread.
Will help me a lot!
With that said, Thanks Again!
Have a great day ahead!
👋 👋
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