Barcelona's search for the elusive number 6 & the infamous heir to Sergio Busquets' throne has led them back to where it all started: La Masia.
And now at 17, Marc Bernal is set to shoulder the burden many before him could not bear.
So is he ready? Let's find out.
|THREAD| 🧵
And now at 17, Marc Bernal is set to shoulder the burden many before him could not bear.
So is he ready? Let's find out.
|THREAD| 🧵
Body & mental profile:
━ 17, 188cm, 75kg
━ left-footed
━ tall, lanky (big strides but less explosive)
━ robust, good lower body strength (shielding, duelling)
━ DM, CM
━ La Masia background
Remind you of someone? 🕵 🐙
━ 17, 188cm, 75kg
━ left-footed
━ tall, lanky (big strides but less explosive)
━ robust, good lower body strength (shielding, duelling)
━ DM, CM
━ La Masia background
Remind you of someone? 🕵 🐙
Bernal profiles as a horizontal tempo-setter; a retainer & recycler of the ball with creativity from vacated pockets between the lines.
━ Deep build-up contributor
━ Outside of the block distributor
━ Hints of incisive passing
━ Reading & intercepting
via @TotalAnalysis
━ Deep build-up contributor
━ Outside of the block distributor
━ Hints of incisive passing
━ Reading & intercepting
via @TotalAnalysis
@TotalAnalysis Just a quick reminder this thread is based on our FULL scout report, which you can find on @BarcaFutbolLive.
We've already done a FULL piece of tactical analysis on Bernal and would greatly appreciate any support.
Read it below! 👇
barcafutbol.blog
We've already done a FULL piece of tactical analysis on Bernal and would greatly appreciate any support.
Read it below! 👇
barcafutbol.blog
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive The most important aspect of Bernal's profile is the way he handles responsibility in the build-up phase.
He spends a lot of time in the deeper zones of the pitch, generally either ahead of or even between the centre-backs in possession.
A first-phase controller profile. 🎮 👇
He spends a lot of time in the deeper zones of the pitch, generally either ahead of or even between the centre-backs in possession.
A first-phase controller profile. 🎮 👇
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive But despite his comfort in those deep areas, Bernal is not always the first receiver or primary progressor.
For Márquez's Barça Atlètic both tasks were often on Marc Casado or one of the defenders.
Bernal, on the other hand, is more of an enabler than a volume contributor.
For Márquez's Barça Atlètic both tasks were often on Marc Casado or one of the defenders.
Bernal, on the other hand, is more of an enabler than a volume contributor.
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Bernal & Casado are similar to Romeu & Frenkie in ROLE; the former is the horizontal presence ━ stable, safe & tempo-adjusting ━ while the latter is vertical ━ dynamic, risky & press-resisting.
So Bernal moves and passes to create better routes towards priority targets. 🤝
So Bernal moves and passes to create better routes towards priority targets. 🤝
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive This is done by dragging markers or by being patient on the ball & picking the right pass at the right time.
Bernal rarely rushes things; even if the pass is played first-time, he will ensure it's the most optimal pass he can deploy at that exact moment in the game.
📸 👇
Bernal rarely rushes things; even if the pass is played first-time, he will ensure it's the most optimal pass he can deploy at that exact moment in the game.
📸 👇
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Naturally, this isn't as polished as you'd see in an experienced pivot. 👶
Bernal will sometimes be hesitant to break lines or take risks, especially when deep.
Of course, being risk-averse is often part of the job but it can be problematic with his press-resistance capacity.
Bernal will sometimes be hesitant to break lines or take risks, especially when deep.
Of course, being risk-averse is often part of the job but it can be problematic with his press-resistance capacity.
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive The same goes for progression; But Bernal isn't the primary progressor because he isn't tasked to, not because he can't.
Often his progression comes once Barça are either settled in the second phase or have accessed him from a deeper area via that primary progressor instead. 👇
Often his progression comes once Barça are either settled in the second phase or have accessed him from a deeper area via that primary progressor instead. 👇
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Note how most of his failed dribbles occur centrally.
This is generally the most protected area of the pitch & the marking there is tight.
Bernal doesn't lose balls because of his pass selection & temperament but he's not as press-resistant as someone like Busquets or Frenkie.
This is generally the most protected area of the pitch & the marking there is tight.
Bernal doesn't lose balls because of his pass selection & temperament but he's not as press-resistant as someone like Busquets or Frenkie.
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Occasionally, he will use his frame to shield the ball & turn his marker but this happens a couple of times every 2-3 games, at most.
Just as was the case with passing at the right moment, dribbling and half-turns follow the same recipe; they are calculated and dosed. 🤔
Just as was the case with passing at the right moment, dribbling and half-turns follow the same recipe; they are calculated and dosed. 🤔
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Move into an accessible area ➡ scan several times before even considering receiving ➡ once happy with his & opposition's positioning, signal for the ball ➡ once the ball reaches him & he knows he's got enough space and time ➡ half-turn & continue the attack.
Pivot stuff 👌
Pivot stuff 👌
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Take the above action as an example.
It's the essence of Bernal as it's a great action turned risk-averse due to all the precautions; it's the right move at the right time; it's taking responsibility; it's him performing an action that seems simple because he made it simple.
It's the essence of Bernal as it's a great action turned risk-averse due to all the precautions; it's the right move at the right time; it's taking responsibility; it's him performing an action that seems simple because he made it simple.
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Bernal is not as physically developed or as athletic as some Barcelona targets nor does he cover a lot of ground quickly.
However, what he lacks physically, he compensates mentally; his reading of the game, especially for a 17-year-old kid, is excellent. 🔎
However, what he lacks physically, he compensates mentally; his reading of the game, especially for a 17-year-old kid, is excellent. 🔎
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive His defensive territory is deep & he is most active primarily blocking the entrance to his team's defensive third.
Similarly, while he can & does press high if the whole team moves up, he is more a shield behind the pressing unit than necessarily on its frontline. 🛡
Similarly, while he can & does press high if the whole team moves up, he is more a shield behind the pressing unit than necessarily on its frontline. 🛡
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Data confirms this too:
• 8.37 successful defensive actions p90 (Barcelona's best mid with 1000+ min)
• 5.45 def duels p90 (69.86% won)
• 24/35 duels in zone 14 (68%)
• 10/13 inside the box (76%)
• 3/14 aerial duels in zone 14 (21.4%)
• 8/17 (47.1%) in the box
📊
• 8.37 successful defensive actions p90 (Barcelona's best mid with 1000+ min)
• 5.45 def duels p90 (69.86% won)
• 24/35 duels in zone 14 (68%)
• 10/13 inside the box (76%)
• 3/14 aerial duels in zone 14 (21.4%)
• 8/17 (47.1%) in the box
📊
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive So defensively:
📌 Not a volume dueller BUT efficient
📌 Excellent on the ground
📌 Shaky in the air
📌 The best possession-adjusted interceptor at Barça Atlètic
📌 Physically lacking in certain aspects
An interesting profile, for sure. 🤔
📌 Not a volume dueller BUT efficient
📌 Excellent on the ground
📌 Shaky in the air
📌 The best possession-adjusted interceptor at Barça Atlètic
📌 Physically lacking in certain aspects
An interesting profile, for sure. 🤔
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive It might be a controversial opinion but at present & despite obvious heaps of talent, I'd say Bernal is not FULLY at first-team Barcelona lone pivot level.
This isn't a knock on the player; he's 17 after all. And it DOESN'T mean he's bad or that he can't be THAT guy for us.
This isn't a knock on the player; he's 17 after all. And it DOESN'T mean he's bad or that he can't be THAT guy for us.
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive But I'll stop the thread here because it's getting too long & I've not even scratched the surface 😅
In the full piece, you can find:
━ creativity & final third influence
━ other weaknesses
━ additional stats in defence & build-up
━ final remarks
And MORE 🔥
In the full piece, you can find:
━ creativity & final third influence
━ other weaknesses
━ additional stats in defence & build-up
━ final remarks
And MORE 🔥
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive Thank you for reading; it takes a LOT of time & effort to write this and it's all FREE.
So if you think our work is good, please consider buying us a coffee; this isn't our full-time job so every little bit helps.
Here's the link. 👇
ko-fi.com
So if you think our work is good, please consider buying us a coffee; this isn't our full-time job so every little bit helps.
Here's the link. 👇
ko-fi.com
@TotalAnalysis @BarcaFutbolLive If you enjoyed this thread, please:
1. Follow me (@DKostanjsak) & Dev (@barcafutbollive) for more
2. Subscribe to our blog & YouTube channel
3. Buy us a coffee!
4. Retweet the 1st tweet below to share this thread
1. Follow me (@DKostanjsak) & Dev (@barcafutbollive) for more
2. Subscribe to our blog & YouTube channel
3. Buy us a coffee!
4. Retweet the 1st tweet below to share this thread
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