Barca 4 - 0 Bilbao | Another Step Forward!
17 Shots in Total, 13 from inside the box & 7 on Target. 72 % Possession. xG of 3.24.
"Four Goals FC" was at it again.
Back at the Camp Nou, again Marcelino's men, Barca took another step forward in the right direction.
🧵
17 Shots in Total, 13 from inside the box & 7 on Target. 72 % Possession. xG of 3.24.
"Four Goals FC" was at it again.
Back at the Camp Nou, again Marcelino's men, Barca took another step forward in the right direction.
🧵
Just over a month ago, Barca played against Athletic Bilbao in the RO16 of the Copa Del Rey & lost 3-2 at their home.
Other than Fati's injury, the match stood out for many things. Despite going down, they stood up & went back & attacked & got the goals they wanted.
Other than Fati's injury, the match stood out for many things. Despite going down, they stood up & went back & attacked & got the goals they wanted.
Nico Williams had a belter of a game that time around & ran rings around Alba most of the time, but the spirit of Barca to get up in such a hostile stadium to go & get those equalizers is what we all appreciated.
& yesterday, they looked like a far better team than the last time
& yesterday, they looked like a far better team than the last time
With Atheltic still in the Copa, they opted to rest some key players.
Muniain was not available, & Nico was just coming back from an injury. So, a front 2 of Villalibre & Raul Garcia started, ultimately meaning a lack of pace, which could have been lethal at times against us.
Muniain was not available, & Nico was just coming back from an injury. So, a front 2 of Villalibre & Raul Garcia started, ultimately meaning a lack of pace, which could have been lethal at times against us.
Why I say this is because our shape was similar.
High Man-2-Man Press when Athletic were building from the back was deployed, & Athletic most of the time opted to go long, rather than play those risky short passes.
High Man-2-Man Press when Athletic were building from the back was deployed, & Athletic most of the time opted to go long, rather than play those risky short passes.
In La Liga, Athletic's 48% of goal kicks are launched ahead, i.e those kicks that cover more than 40 yards & occupy 5th place on that list.
To put this into context, it's just slightly more than the 2nd placed team, Espanyol, who average around 45%.
Shortest? Barca with 34%.
To put this into context, it's just slightly more than the 2nd placed team, Espanyol, who average around 45%.
Shortest? Barca with 34%.
So, to force Athletic to go long by the coordinated high pressing system was a win in itself.
Plus, it forced Athletic Forwards to win aerial balls against the likes of Pique & Araujo, which in addition, is a more difficult task.
Plus, it forced Athletic Forwards to win aerial balls against the likes of Pique & Araujo, which in addition, is a more difficult task.
But our shape while building up was a classic 433 system but with adjustments as Atheltic changed their approach at times.
As Villalibre & Raul Garcia man-marked Pique & Araujo, Busi dropped in between to give that extra man to make it a 3v2.
Basic.
As Villalibre & Raul Garcia man-marked Pique & Araujo, Busi dropped in between to give that extra man to make it a 3v2.
Basic.
Now, with De Jong on the bench, the progression from the left as we have seen him doing came on Pedri's shoulders.
But, because of the fact Alba was suspended, Dest was always a bit hesitant on that left side, & Pedri, most of the time, didn't need the feel to drop there.
But, because of the fact Alba was suspended, Dest was always a bit hesitant on that left side, & Pedri, most of the time, didn't need the feel to drop there.
But, when he did, he did it remarkably well.
In just under 30 seconds, Barca started on the right foot.
With Dest forward, Pedri dropped back & played a through ball on the flanks.
In just under 30 seconds, Barca started on the right foot.
With Dest forward, Pedri dropped back & played a through ball on the flanks.
Our 1st clear-cut chance was skied over by Gavi, but was stood out was the buildup.
- Pedri & Ferran understanding & movement into space.
- Ferran chooses the right option & plays a simple cross-in for Gavi.
Pedri & Ferran's understanding stood out here.
- Pedri & Ferran understanding & movement into space.
- Ferran chooses the right option & plays a simple cross-in for Gavi.
Pedri & Ferran's understanding stood out here.
Xavi, when talking about Ferran said very similar things.
Movement & Understanding of Spaces. Opening up lanes for others.
He missed a 1v1 again, but he had a good game.
The Basics are right. He scores for Spain, he will do for us too, very soon!
Movement & Understanding of Spaces. Opening up lanes for others.
He missed a 1v1 again, but he had a good game.
The Basics are right. He scores for Spain, he will do for us too, very soon!
Frenkie De Jong. Dest. Pique. Busquets.
It's been a time for individual improvements under Xavi, but Araujo's growing confidence on the ball is the best among all.
His 1v1 defensive quality is well known, but if he improves this facet of his game -> 🤟
It's been a time for individual improvements under Xavi, but Araujo's growing confidence on the ball is the best among all.
His 1v1 defensive quality is well known, but if he improves this facet of his game -> 🤟
I talked about Athletic going long, and here's one example.
If Pique/Araujo wins it, well & good, but if we miss the 2nd ball & they flick it over, we are wide open & easily penetrable.
- Pique out of his line.
- Dest covers well in this situation.
If Pique/Araujo wins it, well & good, but if we miss the 2nd ball & they flick it over, we are wide open & easily penetrable.
- Pique out of his line.
- Dest covers well in this situation.
Another Bilbao Attack.
- High Man-2-Man Press, but Busi leaves space behind.
- Dest is sucked in the central area & the wings are free to attack.
🔖 Better defensive work is needed at the edge of the box.
- High Man-2-Man Press, but Busi leaves space behind.
- Dest is sucked in the central area & the wings are free to attack.
🔖 Better defensive work is needed at the edge of the box.
Yes, numerical superiority is the way to go, but if it leaves you open with a low recovery rate, it's better to be more conservative at times.
- Despite Barca having a player on every outlet, Busquets is too advanced and leaves us vulnerable at the back.
- Despite Barca having a player on every outlet, Busquets is too advanced and leaves us vulnerable at the back.
The images above are from the same clip as I shared on the Tweet just before it.
Another aspect where if Athletic had the option to play someone like Nico Williams, who craves space to exploit, it would have been dangerous for us.
But, luckily it didn't result in a goal!
Another aspect where if Athletic had the option to play someone like Nico Williams, who craves space to exploit, it would have been dangerous for us.
But, luckily it didn't result in a goal!
As we scored our 1st goal from a corner, we began to grow in confidence & Athletic began to sit back a bit.
- Fast Buildup from the back.
- Pedri opened up play.
- Lack of Dest's left foot ability
Just a single aspect where Dest lacked yesterday!
- Fast Buildup from the back.
- Pedri opened up play.
- Lack of Dest's left foot ability
Just a single aspect where Dest lacked yesterday!
Dest had an amazing game.
With a 95% pass accuracy, he is another player who has won Xavi over.
From reports that Xavi doesn't like him, to Dest balling at a position where he doesn't belong is a great sign.
Defensively OR Offensively.
In every phase, Dest offered solutions.
With a 95% pass accuracy, he is another player who has won Xavi over.
From reports that Xavi doesn't like him, to Dest balling at a position where he doesn't belong is a great sign.
Defensively OR Offensively.
In every phase, Dest offered solutions.
The Match of Alves & Adama is a very well-needed one.
With Alves's age in consideration, we know he won't just go up & down as the RB. Rather he shifts inside & gives space for Adama to do what he does best.
& he did just that.
Another shot saved!
With Alves's age in consideration, we know he won't just go up & down as the RB. Rather he shifts inside & gives space for Adama to do what he does best.
& he did just that.
Another shot saved!
In the 2nd half, Atheltic's press became more coordinated.
They didn't make huge problems for us, but our progression was halted at times when we didn't had any outlet when building from the back
As I said earlier, Pedri dropped a few times, but in the 2nd half, it became rare
They didn't make huge problems for us, but our progression was halted at times when we didn't had any outlet when building from the back
As I said earlier, Pedri dropped a few times, but in the 2nd half, it became rare
At times, Busquets was advanced & Barca looked to be more direct in their approach.
That changed when Frenkie came in, & started to drop & take the ball ahead with him.
Still, Athletic didn't threaten much even after this, & Barca came out on top.
That changed when Frenkie came in, & started to drop & take the ball ahead with him.
Still, Athletic didn't threaten much even after this, & Barca came out on top.
🔖 Quick Buildup with Busi dropping in
As Busi drops in, Dest beats his man to open up space.
The Ball is switched fast to Adama in space, & Ferran's shot is blocked.
Simple Example of how quick progression was preferred & executed well several times.
As Busi drops in, Dest beats his man to open up space.
The Ball is switched fast to Adama in space, & Ferran's shot is blocked.
Simple Example of how quick progression was preferred & executed well several times.
📋 Chance from a counter
As soon as Athletic's No 16 mishandles the ball, Auba steals it, and it takes seconds for Barca to break with Dembele as the main outlet.
Auba's header is weak, but another chance where we should have done better, scoring-wise.
As soon as Athletic's No 16 mishandles the ball, Auba steals it, and it takes seconds for Barca to break with Dembele as the main outlet.
Auba's header is weak, but another chance where we should have done better, scoring-wise.
📋 Building up in tight spaces & not conceding possession.
With Barca to their extreme right defensive corner, Alves & Pedri plays some great rondo-style passes & ultimately Barca emerges with the ball.
Fdj's cross at the end is blocked but good buildup!
With Barca to their extreme right defensive corner, Alves & Pedri plays some great rondo-style passes & ultimately Barca emerges with the ball.
Fdj's cross at the end is blocked but good buildup!
🔖 Luuk's goal, again with recovering the ball in close spaces.
- Frenkie's ball recovery.
- Pedri's close control & combination with Fdj.
- Switch towards a free Dembele.
- Dembele driving inside & crossing to get his 1st assist.
- Frenkie's ball recovery.
- Pedri's close control & combination with Fdj.
- Switch towards a free Dembele.
- Dembele driving inside & crossing to get his 1st assist.
🔖 Depay's Goal.
- Quick Buildup originating from the left.
- Another switch, this time from Fdj, with Dembele in space, who shows his ambidextrous nature & crosses it in from his right this time.
- Quick Buildup originating from the left.
- Another switch, this time from Fdj, with Dembele in space, who shows his ambidextrous nature & crosses it in from his right this time.
Dembele.
With just 23 minutes played, he racked up a goal & 2 assists, clearly turning a 1-0 nervous tie into a comfortable 4-0 one at the end.
In just 23', he had an xA of 1.45, showing the impact he had when he came on.
With just 23 minutes played, he racked up a goal & 2 assists, clearly turning a 1-0 nervous tie into a comfortable 4-0 one at the end.
In just 23', he had an xA of 1.45, showing the impact he had when he came on.
90 Minutes Played.
93% Passing Accuracy.
8/8 Long Passes Completed.
7/9 Ground Duels Won.
3/3 Succesful Dribbles.
With no goal or an assist, an xG chain of 2.15, Pedri again rose to the occasion.
As someone famously said, "He reminds me of Iniesta".
93% Passing Accuracy.
8/8 Long Passes Completed.
7/9 Ground Duels Won.
3/3 Succesful Dribbles.
With no goal or an assist, an xG chain of 2.15, Pedri again rose to the occasion.
As someone famously said, "He reminds me of Iniesta".
Aubameyang.
This team craved a No 9, & he came in at the right moment.
Barca was craving a player of his profile, but that, with regard to him, was never an issue. The Issue was how quickly he settles down.
& he did it quite fast if you ask me. 😉
This team craved a No 9, & he came in at the right moment.
Barca was craving a player of his profile, but that, with regard to him, was never an issue. The Issue was how quickly he settles down.
& he did it quite fast if you ask me. 😉
Structurally, it was very balanced.
As compared to Napoli's match (blue), the spaces for Auba were spread out as he was more involved in general gameplay this time (orange).
As Barca was less direct in this match, the team looked very balanced & regained their shape very well.
As compared to Napoli's match (blue), the spaces for Auba were spread out as he was more involved in general gameplay this time (orange).
As Barca was less direct in this match, the team looked very balanced & regained their shape very well.
Overall, a very good match. Despite Athletic missing some key players, Barca looked in control most of the time.
They dominated phases of play, & a general sense of direction was quite evident.
Another Step Forward in the right direction from this team.
Another Team Beaten!
They dominated phases of play, & a general sense of direction was quite evident.
Another Step Forward in the right direction from this team.
Another Team Beaten!
[End of Thread]
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Thanks for Reading.
If you like this, consider RT(ing) so that it reaches maximum audience.
Follow me, if you think it's worth it!
Drop your feedback, and let me know what I should improve the next time I write.
Thanks again for the constant support!
👋
![[End of Thread]
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