After not taking advantage of the opportunity to get a little hooked on the League, Barça makes its debut on Friday facing a prelude match to the decisive clash of the Champions League. Opposite, one of the most uncomfortable opponents to play in the entire championship, Javier Aguirre's Mallorca. Here are my 5 tactical keys for this match:
With the unfortunate losses of Pedri and De Jong, it is most likely that Xavi will field the type team he wants against Naples. Or, at least, some movements can be seen in this sense. The first question lies in whether he will decide to maintain the system or change things within the system. That is, if he opts for the four midfielder format or will go to 4-3-3. In the first case (the most likely), it would be a mistake to lower Gúndogan's height next to Christensen since the team would be left without clairvoyance between the lines. So, to play close to the Dane, there are basically three possibilities: I cancel inside, the entry of Sergi Roberto or some alternative. If the 4-3-3 is chosen, the combination of Christensen-Fermín-Gündogan could occur with Joao Félix or Vitor Roque up as wingers. Be that as it may, what Xavi decides is interesting and very symptomatic.
Aguirre's Mallorca will play with a line of five and without jumping under pressure. Furthermore, the will to give up the initiative and wait for Barça concessions to take advantage of them will become evident. In fact, with only 43% average ball possession, they are the 17th team in ball possession in the entire League. And it arrives with the peace of mind of qualifying for the Cup final and having taken advantage of the relegation places in the League. Therefore, the context that Barça will find will be that of a match that will require continually building positional attacks. And in this type of scenario there are two fundamental aspects: the speed of the ball and that the attacks in the rival field go from side to side. It is almost impossible to penetrate these defenses if you do not first move them with two or three ball tilts. And it is not the same as these circulations staying in intermediate areas or going to the lime line and then returning. The first are harmless, the second are the ones that create space to attack.
A match with license and need for risk to connect with the last line. Firstly, because the opponent's predictable proposal draws many troops behind the ball and will require creative actions to enter and, secondly, because a high loss close to the opponent's goal can be the best way to catch the most disorganized rival. . That is, increasing the risk to generate directly or indirectly. Of course, for this maneuver to be truly efficient, you will need to have the entire block high before attempting these passes.
Barça has to be more daring in one-on-one situations in the final third. The team is having a hard time eliminating opponents through dribbling as well as having a hard time interpreting when these actions are appropriate and when they are not. Against Athletic, only eleven dribble attempts by the Barça forwards in the entire match and only four good ones (three of them by Lamine Yamal). The rule of a good attacker is to quickly identify when he has time and space for it and not hesitate to do it. If not, circulate so that another colleague has the context to do so.
Verat Muriqi is the footballer who most marks the game of Aguirre's team. A real bone to defend since, due to his corpulence, he is a first sword in direct play and in hand-to-hand duels. With 5.7 aerial duels won on average per game, he is the best in the entire championship. And he has a goal. He scores five goals and two assists in the League. He is especially dangerous when he is inside the area but, because of the way he plays, he can also generate many rebounds and second plays for his teammates. On the other hand, talk about Cyle Larin. He is a perfect complement for Muriqi or, failing that, for Abdón Prats. And it is a forward who has much more mobility, power and legs to do damage in space. This year he is seeing less of the goal but, with an average of 2.2 shots per game, he is the Mallorca player who finishes the most.
