With the first duel against Manchester United still on the horizon and the second already on the horizon, Barça receives one of the most difficult teams in the League, Cádiz. A game that will be more difficult than it seems. Here my 5 tactical keys for this meeting:
On paper, tonight's context will not require superiority in the middle of the field. But if weapons to attack in the last third. So it's an ideal day to go back to 4-3-3 with pure wingers on both sides. As it is also essential that new players enter. Firstly, for necessary profiles and, later, to inject new energy. Eric Garcia's entry at the back can be one as well as the presence of Sergi Roberto in defense or in the middle. And above, the inclusion of Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres is as likely as it is essential.
The center-back will start today. What is unknown is the profile in which he will play and who will be his partner. Xavi usually places him on the left but it may also be that he places him on the right. And it will be an important and quite demanding game for him. With the ball, he will have to decide when to move quickly to the wing and when to divide to get out of the pressure of Sergio González's 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. The minutes that Busquets may have for Thursday are also important.
Another important focus of the match will be the use that Barça makes of the bands. In principle today with lateral-extreme societies. And in this sense, the greatest potential will be on the left side. With Ansu almost certainly and, we'll see if with Balde or Alba. The first has more options. Be that as it may, it will be essential to overflow on the outside against a team that closes the spaces very well.
Sergio González is a technician of excellent level. Especially giving a lot of order to his teams in the defensive phase. The swings of the entire team are rigorous and there are always three helpers in the ball zone. Therefore, Cadiz is a compressed set in the ball zone both in length and in width. Reason why it is one of those teams against which it is necessary and super productive to attract many players in one part of the field to attack the far part with conviction.
Cádiz is one of the teams that has been best strengthened in the winter market. Sergi Guardiola and Gonzalo Escalante, for example, are two names called to be permanent from now until the end of the season. The first will be more important than the second. But we must highlight two overflow players who did not arrive in winter. On the one hand, the electric and skilled Ocampo. A footballer who, with spaces and an open field, can generate dangerous actions. In addition, due to his great speed, he can put anyone who plays on the wing today in trouble. The same can be applied to Théo Bongonda. Another excellent dribbling player. He is the one who is dribbling the most and best of the entire Cádiz squad. He also paid attention to Luis Hernandez's throw-ins which, due to their trajectory and power, are practically like corner kicks.
