Barcelona were taken by surprise by Intercity but still salvaged a 4:3 victory.
It's fair to criticise Xavi, he should be pressed about this. But not all was bad.
As ever, the truth is somewhere down the middle. So here are some quick thoughts on yesterday's display.
👇 ⚽
It's fair to criticise Xavi, he should be pressed about this. But not all was bad.
As ever, the truth is somewhere down the middle. So here are some quick thoughts on yesterday's display.
👇 ⚽
Cup games often require more context than most.
On one side you have a team that sometimes seems like going through the motions while on the other, you have a third-division host who's playing the game of their career.
The psychology is vastly different.
This matters. A lot.
On one side you have a team that sometimes seems like going through the motions while on the other, you have a third-division host who's playing the game of their career.
The psychology is vastly different.
This matters. A lot.
But the first 45 were actually quite good.
Barcelona controlled the ball as expected & Intercity were smart enough to deploy a 5-4-1 to nullify the obvious wide threat.
However, due to the immense difference in quality, any sort of parity meant a clear advantage for the guests.
Barcelona controlled the ball as expected & Intercity were smart enough to deploy a 5-4-1 to nullify the obvious wide threat.
However, due to the immense difference in quality, any sort of parity meant a clear advantage for the guests.
I actually quite liked some of the mechanisms to breach a 5-at-the-back system from Barça, in particular the overload to isolate tactic.
The premise is simple: force numbers on one side to create a favourable situation on the other.
It requires coordination & quick circulation.
The premise is simple: force numbers on one side to create a favourable situation on the other.
It requires coordination & quick circulation.
Good sequence here.
Barcelona using their inherent numerical superiority in the first line so the CB can carry the ball. Carrying/dribbling is the best tool to destabilise blocks as it forces shuffling.
Kounde forces Intercity to commit numbers, which isolates the right flank.
Barcelona using their inherent numerical superiority in the first line so the CB can carry the ball. Carrying/dribbling is the best tool to destabilise blocks as it forces shuffling.
Kounde forces Intercity to commit numbers, which isolates the right flank.
If the cards are played well & the switch is made in 2-3 passes max, the isolation will be successful.
Barcelona did this multiple times in the first half and would continue exploiting the gaps through technical quality in tight spaces & good circulation.
Chances were plenty.
Barcelona did this multiple times in the first half and would continue exploiting the gaps through technical quality in tight spaces & good circulation.
Chances were plenty.
Here are a couple more examples of these successful isolations and overloads.
Whether it was the quick/direct switch or a quick interplay through congested spaces, Barcelona were quite good at playing through Intercity.
Only the finishing touches & decision-making were lacking.
Whether it was the quick/direct switch or a quick interplay through congested spaces, Barcelona were quite good at playing through Intercity.
Only the finishing touches & decision-making were lacking.
Let's switch to defence for a second now.
Again, as a whole, in the first half, Barcelona were VERY good at limiting Intercity to one clear chance. Commendable, even if it's vs a third-division squad.
This was largely due to 2 factors:
• Rest defence
• In-possession control
Again, as a whole, in the first half, Barcelona were VERY good at limiting Intercity to one clear chance. Commendable, even if it's vs a third-division squad.
This was largely due to 2 factors:
• Rest defence
• In-possession control
The rest defence was particularly effective against a 5-4-1 with one outlet.
As a result, Kounde & Araujo were not isolated & Barça had enough backup in at least two more players to cover space.
If one CB was beaten, the other would react. Their individual quality helped too.
As a result, Kounde & Araujo were not isolated & Barça had enough backup in at least two more players to cover space.
If one CB was beaten, the other would react. Their individual quality helped too.
Here's a good example again.
Busquets gets bypassed but Barcelona have sufficient numbers in the back to control the transition. Araujo is pushing the striker wide, Kounde steps up to intercept and Alba provides depth.
All boxes ticked and the counter stopped ✅
Busquets gets bypassed but Barcelona have sufficient numbers in the back to control the transition. Araujo is pushing the striker wide, Kounde steps up to intercept and Alba provides depth.
All boxes ticked and the counter stopped ✅
But the second half saw Intercity swap from a 5-4-1 to a 4-4-2 off the ball.
This brought a different dimension to the game & Barcelona began losing control & struggling to contain the opponent more and more.
Cracks started to appear in:
• Preventing isolations
• Compactness
This brought a different dimension to the game & Barcelona began losing control & struggling to contain the opponent more and more.
Cracks started to appear in:
• Preventing isolations
• Compactness
These two images show the clear difference between the first and second halves.
In the first 45, Barcelona were never outnumbered nor isolated. In the second, Intercity found these situations far more often.
Even with the difference in quality, this is dangerous.
In the first 45, Barcelona were never outnumbered nor isolated. In the second, Intercity found these situations far more often.
Even with the difference in quality, this is dangerous.
The leaky defensive structure is another thing it's important to point out.
My main issue with this is that it's a common problem in most of our games so either Xavi can't fix it or isn't trying. Either way, it could spell big trouble.
Improvement is needed in that regard.
My main issue with this is that it's a common problem in most of our games so either Xavi can't fix it or isn't trying. Either way, it could spell big trouble.
Improvement is needed in that regard.
Possession-heavy teams always run the risk of being countered to the ground. That's the reality of our style of play.
But that's precisely where a compact structure, good rest defence & coaching come into play.
It's how we ensure damage is minimised or prevented altogether.
But that's precisely where a compact structure, good rest defence & coaching come into play.
It's how we ensure damage is minimised or prevented altogether.
Even from his Al-Sadd days, Xavi has been dealing with this through athletic players and quick counter-pressing where his team would cover a lot of space in little time.
At Barcelona, we're seeing the same issues but with no real solution.
These images are common, sadly.
At Barcelona, we're seeing the same issues but with no real solution.
These images are common, sadly.
Barcelona also lack calm.
This means they're disorganised upon losing the ball but also why they lose it in the first place. Being vertical is fine as long as the structure is ready for an attack.
If you attack before you're ready, you risk being far more exposed in return.
This means they're disorganised upon losing the ball but also why they lose it in the first place. Being vertical is fine as long as the structure is ready for an attack.
If you attack before you're ready, you risk being far more exposed in return.
All in all, we've seen both good and bad last night.
Unfortunately, the bad is almost always the same and that is the major problem Xavi is facing right now. Not new issues but old ones.
I've talked at length about this below. Give it a read & subscribe!
barcafutbol.substack.com
Unfortunately, the bad is almost always the same and that is the major problem Xavi is facing right now. Not new issues but old ones.
I've talked at length about this below. Give it a read & subscribe!
barcafutbol.substack.com
If you enjoyed this thread, please:
1. Follow me (@DKostanjsak) for more. 🙏
I'll be doing a preview thread for the upcoming clash against Atlético Madrid, which will hopefully be published this Saturday.
2. Retweet the 1st tweet below to share this thread 🔥
1. Follow me (@DKostanjsak) for more. 🙏
I'll be doing a preview thread for the upcoming clash against Atlético Madrid, which will hopefully be published this Saturday.
2. Retweet the 1st tweet below to share this thread 🔥
Folks, if you enjoyed this thread, you'll surely enjoy what we're creating at @BarcaFutbolLive!
Follow the link below to subscribe for more Barça, more analysis and more football!
It's FREE!
👇
barcafutbol.substack.com
Follow the link below to subscribe for more Barça, more analysis and more football!
It's FREE!
👇
barcafutbol.substack.com
Loading suggestions...