The European competition returns and does it in a big way. And it is that a Barça-Manchester United is not only a historic game but it is a match more typical of the Champions League than of the Europa League. The league leaders welcome the third-placed team from the Premier League in what will be the first part of an exciting tie. Here my tactical keys for this fantastic meeting:
There are few doubts that tonight's Barça will once again be the Barça of the four midfielders. Nor that tonight's defense will be the defense of the correctors (Koundé, Araujo, Christensen and Balde). And there would be absolutely no doubt in Xavi's head if he had Busquets and Dembelé available. These losses are the ones that provide the only possible unknown in the eleven: who will complement the permanent De Jong-Pedri and Gavi in the engine room. Basically, two possibilities: Kessié or Sergi Roberto. Based on the conclusions of the visit to Villarreal, Kessié will almost certainly be the chosen one. A movement that will lead Pedri to play in the upper part of the square.
United plays in a marked 4-2-3-1 in which Ten Hag plays with the profiles of his players to be more or less defensive. Even so, he has few options today in the middle since the losses of Sabitzer and McTominay mean that the only possible couple is Casemiro and Fred. A couple that is positioned well and has a deployment to block the interior lines very well. That is why Barça's attacks have to be focused on the wing so that they are more dangerous. Firstly, because the passing lanes will be clearer and, secondly, because the English team's centre-backs give very little help to their full-backs. Good day for the overflow of Raphinha.
Given that United play with a parallel double pivot and a midfielder up front, one of the most important things from Barça's point of view will be that the four midfielders seek to receive in different areas of the field so that the four against three is more evident and that it is impossible for the rival midfielders to block all the passing lanes towards them. Furthermore, if Barça manages to achieve it, it will force them to decide whether or not to jump to their pressures. If they don't, the game will flow for Barça. And if they jump, they will be disorganized.
United's main virtue is transitions. His line of midfielders, with Rashford, Sancho or Garnacho, has enormous potential to run fast and finish well. Reason why it will be key for Barça to minimize the red devils cons. And for this, it is essential that the Barca defense is in defensive excellence mode. Above all, in something that the team is doing very well: surveillance of rivals who are likely to receive.
Highlight the danger of a huge but irregular player: Marcus Rashford. The English striker is one of the footballers with the greatest football potential in the world who has always been limited by his irregularity. He is very powerful with spaces, has technical variety to overcome and finishes well in both formats (simple shot or aerial shot). Plus, he's in for a sweet game moment. His statistics this season are very powerful. He has accumulated 21 goals and six assists in all competitions so far this season. Undoubtedly United's most influential footballer. On the other hand, highlight, and a lot, the good footing of Bruno Fernandes. Because on a running team, he and Eriksen are the ones who put the creativity and the pause in the game. With 47.3 total passes and 2.7 key passes on average per game, he is the one who has the most weight in the wide area between the lines. He also paid attention to Jadon Sancho. A footballer with great potential and who seems to be on the way to recovering his level.
