Barça faces its last week in a row with a double commitment, receiving an irregular Valencia. The Catalans drag the wear and tear of the Cup match against Madrid and Valencia, with the need to score. But the Barcelona team has no space to relax. The objective is to maintain the seven point lead in the Santander League standings. Here are my five key tactics for this match:
Against Valencia there are no doubts as far as the tactical structure is concerned. And it is that without Gavi (penalty) or Pedri (injury), Barça will go out in a 4-3-3 with wingers. Presumably, with Ansu up front and Raphinha plus Ferran Torres or some alternative (Balde or Alba) on the wings. And from the tactical drawing, Xavi's team must be very aggressive with the ball. Much more than it has been in recent weeks. It is a game that does not give room for anything and that it would be convenient for the Catalans to face on the scoreboard before reaching the last third of the game. The wear and tear on Thursday and a longer break from the rival may help Valencia win whole in the last few minutes.
The last game with Baraja on the bench (this will be his third game as Ché coach), Valencia played in a clear 4-1-4-1, a drawing with which he obtained good results. Which is why it is very likely that he will repeat at the Camp Nou. If so, the Valencian defensive gear will have a single point and a midfielder of five in trivote. Given this, it will be very important that the two Barca central defenders distance themselves and get into the rival field to divide the opposing second line. If they do, it will force them to jump and they will start to remove troops to attack better.
Barça's offensive losses are being noticed, especially in the lack of overflow and creativity in the last third. And it is that the team is lacking overflow and magic for the last pass. It is for this reason that it will be important that the two Barça interiors step on the box from behind to surprise. Even more so against a team like Valencia that, in all probability, will settle in the low block to reduce spaces and make Barça's positional attacks difficult.
Another of the factors that has penalized Barça's attacking game has fallen on the low level of risk and daring up front. Something that the Catalans have to correct by looking for difficult filtered passes, constant one-on-one attempts and outside shots. It will be important for attackers to keep in mind to add a lot of activity regardless of whether the previous action was successful or not.
Lino and Castillejo occupy the two bands of the Valencian team and will seek to come out behind the backs of the Barça sides. They play with a changed leg and that gives them the option of shooting when they drive inside. The first is a fixture in the Ché team and a very interesting player. He can generate danger by himself. He is the one who shoots the most (2.6 shots on average per game) and the one who dribbles the most and best for Valencia (1.4 good dribbles on average). For his part, Samu Castillejo is a very skilled attacker in one-on-one and agile movements. In addition, he is a winger with a goal. He accumulates three so far this season.
