After achieving mathematical classification for the Round of 16 of the Champions League, Barça will face a vital match. A match against a direct rival that will have a lot of weight in the league championship. In front, an Atlético de Madrid in great shape. Here are my 5 tactical keys for this great game:
With De Jong and Pedri already having a couple of games under their belts and with the Ter Stegen issue still unresolved, Xavi will make few or no changes to the eleven compared to Porto's day. Perhaps with the only unknown being whether Koundé and Araujo will exchange positions or if Christensen will come in for the Frenchman. Cancelo will continue on the left and more involved in the construction game than in the starting game (the latest tactical novelty). In this sector, the Portuguese showed a lot of complicity with another great protagonist in tonight's match: Joao Félix. Very special match for him. In football, it will be interesting if Joao knows how to find that intermediate point in positioning to raise doubts about who should be responsible for his marking: the right winger (Nahuel or Marcos Llorente) or the right center back (Azpilicueta).
Atlético is one of the teams that best masters the selective activation of pressure. Or what is the same, it can put pressure on any area it intends to do very well. From this and, depending on its needs, it varies the heights and areas in which it launches into action. It will be transcendental that Barça knows how to interpret these moments and, even more, that it knows how to come out of it with clairvoyance. Another relevant thing will be that, every time you can do it, be clear that the free space to attack will be on the opposite side. These two maneuvers combined create many problems for Atlético. They are not easy actions but they are one of the best ways to generate chances.
Due to the way they play (5-3-2) and the way they defend when the rival approaches the area, the colchoneros leave a very free area: the surroundings of the large area. And when the opponent manages to push them close to their area, the center midfielder joins the defense of five to defend the area. This means that there are only two midfielders left to cover the entire outer zone and that allows a lot of space. Something that makes kicks from medium distance much easier. So much so that 42% of the total shots that Atlético de Madrid receives are from the front or beyond. The second team that receives the most only behind Madrid. Barça has to exploit it a lot today. Clear opportunity for Raphinha, Pedri or Joao Félix, players with good outside shooting.
Taking their central defenders out of the zone is one of the maneuvers that can help a lot for Barça to attack better. And for this, there has to be mobility at the top. First of all, good range of extremes. And then, foot-space and diagonal offerings from Lewandowski. Furthermore, it will be essential for the Blaugranas to be consistent in individual duels. Because Atlético is a team that leads to many hand-to-hand situations or second plays.
The former Barcelona player is having a spectacular season. He has found an ideal context to bring out his best qualities. Playing up front as a second striker but with absolute freedom, he gives him more presence in the game (he intervenes almost 10 times more in the game than last season), more dynamism and the same presence in the area. Plus, he's sweet in the ending. He scored thirteen goals and one assist between the League and the Champions League. Near him, Alvaro Morata. Another player who is in a splendid state of form and who is responsible for pinning down the rival centre-backs and taking interesting diagonal breaks. He is very good at it. Twelve goals and two assists certify that he is at a high level and that, right now, they have the best attacking pairing in the League in terms of numbers. He will also highlight Samuel Lino on the left wing. The Brazilian attacker has adapted remarkably to the wing-back position, he has gained depth and, with an average of 1.40 per game, he is the colchonero who causes the most fouls in the rival field
