Barca vs Celta: Tactical review!
Xavi's tactical intervention injected dynamism into the game against Celta, sparking a remarkable turnaround for Barça. Despite a first half plagued with struggles, Xavi's keen sense for when to step in proved pivotal in securing the three points
Xavi's tactical intervention injected dynamism into the game against Celta, sparking a remarkable turnaround for Barça. Despite a first half plagued with struggles, Xavi's keen sense for when to step in proved pivotal in securing the three points
In the first half, Gündogan and Joao Félix appeared glued to the rival defensive line, a move that prompted Celta to bolster their defense with a robust five-man backline, flanked by Marcos Alonso and Ferran on the wings.
The central trio of Gundogan, Felix, and Lewandowski remained largely disconnected in terms of positioning, rendering them easy targets for the opposition's defensive efforts.
At halftime, Xavi acted swiftly, implementing a tactical reshuffle. Shifting to a three-man defense offered numerical superiority against the likes of Iago Aspas and Strand Larsen, who had posed considerable threats in the initial two-on-two situations against the center-backs.
The new formation featured Cancelo and Gavi anchoring the midfield, with the two midfielders playing between the lines. Lamine Yamal took the right flank, while Ferran occupied the left, stretching Celta's five-man defense.
However, the execution didn't quite match the plan's sophistication. Barça failed to capitalize on the wingers' positioning, hindering the frequency of ball delivery to them and thus failing to stretch Celta's defensive setup effectively.
Each misplaced pass forced the team into laborious backward sprints, exacting an unnecessary toll.
Xavi's subsequent adjustments saw Balde transform into a winger in attack, pushing Joao Felix to the half spaces. This alteration reshaped the midfield dynamic, transforming it from a square into a pentagon with Cancelo, Gavi, Raphinha, Gündogan, and Joao Felix.
This tactical evolution led to Joao Felix's instrumental involvement in feeding Lewandowski, resulting in the critical 1-2 scoreline. Raphinha's modified role also ignited Cancelo's equalizer.
While Xavi's late-game tactical acumen introduced some chaos into the proceedings, the ultimate reward was well worth the upheaval, solidifying his reputation as a shrewd tactician. (Img source: Dirfut)
Loading suggestions...