Tonight (9:00 p.m.) a spectacular tie will be resolved. A tie that starts from the maximum equality of the first leg (2-2) and that will determine who will access the next round of this Europa League. A Barça with casualties for the challenge in the theater of dreams. Here my tactical keys for this fantastic meeting:
The losses of Pedri and Gavi mean that there is a tactical unknown above all others: what option will Xavi use to face one of the most difficult matches of the season. Four options for it. The first, to return to the pure 4-3-3 with three in the middle and two open ends (Ansu or Ferran and Raphinha). The second, that of an interior square with Ansu acting as the upper left corner (something similar to the day of Cádiz). Another possibility is just the same as the second but with Ferran doing the inside function on the left. And the fourth, to unite the four midfielders Busquets, De Jong, Kessié and Sergi Roberto. The latter, in my opinion, lacks some punch but ensures good positioning. I think it is the one that the Barça coach will use. At least out.
At the Camp Nou it was Wan Bissaka and Malacia. Today it will probably be Wan Bissaka or Dalot and Shaw. Be that as it may, none of them are good at defending one on one and that is a factor that Barça has to exploit much more than it did in the first leg. The team lacked repetitive testing of the red bands. Raphinha on the right, and Balde or if Barça comes out with a winger on the left, look for individual duels on the outside. They're superior at it because it's by far the most vulnerable area for Ten Hag's team right now.
The loss of Pedri and Gavi mean that, beyond Pablo Torre, Barça does not have a specialist player to play between the lines. It will be impossible to find an individual way to deal damage in this area of the field, but it will be important to compensate as a group. If Ansu or Ferran play on the wing or even at one corner of the square, they will have to exploit that area very regularly so as not to give away space on the field and to make it impossible for their double pivot to grant aid to the sides. In his good reading will fall one of the keys of this decisive meeting.
One of the great dangers of tonight is sustained intensity. Because one of the problems that Barça has had when it has gone out to Europe in recent years has been not playing full games from the point of view of intensity. Premier teams like United have a high pace of play so internalized that they have no problem staying high. So it will be essential for the Catalans to do the same and not go down in the last stretch of the game. Xavi will be important with the changes to achieve it.
Impossible to warn of the red dangers without talking about who is, right now, the striker in the best shape in Europe. Rashford is electric, with tremendous confidence and a goal. Two more goals this weekend against Leicester and there are already 24 so far this season in all competitions. Decisive that you participate as little as possible. Much is said about Rashford (with good reason) but the role and weight of David De Gea in the Ten Hag team must be highlighted. Two vital interventions against Leicester certify it. Finally, mention Garnacho. A footballer with a lot of imbalance, great dynamism and a good relationship with the opposing goal. The Dutch coach is used to using it as a weapon to change or revitalize matches.
