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Football is a very fun game. At certain occasions it just turns too funny, we just don't know how to react to the situation.
Go back to Dortmund against Hoffenheim recently. 74 minutes in Dortmund were comfortably leading by 3-0, by the end of the game, the score was 3-3.
No one needs a reminder of the famous PSG-Barcelona second leg in the Champions League.
Till the 89th minute of the game, PSG was leading by two and also had an away goal as well. But in the end, Sergi Roberto scored top create an iconic moment for the Blaugrana.
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Speaking about teams, let us visit England first. Liverpool was sitting pretty at the table-top, leading Manchester City by a comfortable margin of 10 points in December.
And now, they are level on points with the Blues with a game in hand. Shifting attention to Spain, what is happening there?
Barcelona had a comfortable 10-point lead over Madrid, good momentum in the UEFA Champions League and the Copa Del Rey, all their players in top form, everything you could ask for.
Then came Hlebruary, yeah, the same old superstition, which struck. A tough fixture handed in the Copa Del Rey semis, Arthur and Dembele out injured, Suarez with fatigue, defenders tired, Alba suspended for a league game, most importantly, a huge number of important games coming up, Barcelona are walking on tightropes right now.
The Blaugrana are yet to win in February this year. Their upcoming fixtures are very tough ones too.
For all you know, the next 20 odd days would decide Barcelona's fate in all three competitions.
The lead at the top over Real Madrid is only 6 points now, which doesn't seem big considering the tough fixtures coming up for Barcelona.
Let us try and analyze what Barcelona should do in each of the upcoming games. (till the league game against Real Madrid)
We will look at the lineups that Ernesto Valverde should try, the key players, formations, tactics, opposition etc. Time zone for games is set to the venue.
#5 Barcelona vs Valladolid, Camp Nou, 16th February 2019
Barcelona road to the tough fixtures starts with a pretty easy one at home.
This is an easy fixture that Barcelona could and should utilize to get their players some rest. The person in need of rest the most is Luis Suarez. Of course, he is almost 32, has been playing all season long and runs a lot, sometimes without effect also.
The next person that we would like to see rested is Sergio Busquets. Much like Suarez, he starts every game too, but the team isn't dependent on his work rate.
However, we want him rested for the big upcoming game in the Champions League. The other person rested is Gerard Pique.
So here is our proposed lineup. Since Jordi Alba was suspended in the last game and thus got his deserved rest, he can start here.
At right-back, we prefer Roberto as Semedo is expected to start in the Champions League clash.
Resting both Pique and Lenglet is not an option on the table, we rest the older player here and start young Todibo for the first time in an official game for FCB.
There are two options available for defensive midfield slot, Rakitic, and Vidal. Since Vidal isn't used at the pivot role at Barcelona even once, we pick Rakitic over him, in a role that requires less work-rate and thus less energy consumption.
Coutinho starting at midfield against Valladolid is an important thing. First, it will help the case of rotations, second, it will show just how good Coutinho can be at the midfield. Since the opposition is not that strong, it won't backfire heavily.
We give Messi the start to be in rhythm for the CL game. Dembele needs to play to get back to his tempo on the pitch and Prince will be the guy who gives Suarez the rest, for the whole game.
Tactics:
This game is supposed to be a walkover.
They need to consume their energy for the Champions League game and the games following that.
Running around the ball for 90 minutes, waiting for the game to come to them and heavy pressing is not needed here. We expect clean football but the end result matters. The result doesn't mean the scoreline here, it means how much the rotations are successful.
Barcelona should play a high-intensity, remorseless game in the first half and try to kill the game off there itself.
Dragging the result to the second half is not a good option, better they don't leave the result in doubt before heading to the dressing room. At halftime and afterward, the substitutions come into play.
The first change which we hope to see at halftime itself is the introduction of Malcom. The man coming off will be Lionel Messi.
The only purpose of Messi's inclusion was to keep him in rhythm for the CL game, 45 minutes is enough time for that.
The next change that we expect is to take Rakitic off and introduce Arturo Vidal, at around 60 minutes.
Barcelona has a few options they could try in that case. They can either stick to 4-3-3 with the same personnel or they can change it to a 4-4-2.
In the 4-4-2, Malcom and Prince will act as forwards, Coutinho and Dembele would be playing as wide midfielders on the left and right side respectively. This is unlikely though. We expect them to stick to 4-3-3.
The final change should be Lenglet out, Murillo in. If the game is closed out as expected, then it is time for some rest for Clement Lenglet as well.
In the second half, Barcelona should keep their tempo low. Rather than running around the pitch, they should try to hold possession and play an endless passing game with some outrageous through ball attempts in the space of a minute or two.
It will be boring to watch, granted, but this is not the game to showcase beauty. They should have control of the ball and the game, that is all that matters.
Key Player: Philippe Coutinho
We are giving Coutinho a chance to express himself as a midfielder. If Valverde does this despite the cold run of form, it will give the Brazilian a much-needed confidence boost, and perhaps a good performance will come too.
This game is a make or break for him and for Barcelona's executives and coaches who believe he can still succeed at the club. Maybe playing as a midfielder in the half-space is the change he needs. Let's hope he succeeds in the game.
#4 Lyon vs Barcelona, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, 19th February 2019,
So, moving on, Barcelona's next assignment after Valladolid will be an away game at Lyon. It will be the first leg of the Round of 16 stages of the Champions League. It will also be the first of a four-game road trip for the Blaugrana.
What do we expect here? With enough rotations and rest for the game, we expect Barcelona to go in with a full-strength lineup here.
It is one which many of us will fancy, Dembele-Messi-Suarez, the front three, Rakitic-Alena-Busquets the middle three, and then there are the usual five at the back.
The only change which could occur is the inclusion of Coutinho in the midfield. It will strongly depend on his performance against Valladolid while playing in the midfield.
If he impresses in the game against Valladolid, Valverde could give him the nod ahead of the young Alena, or else, the proposed team remains.
Tactics:
Now, this fixture is a very tricky one. We have seen Lyon defeat PSG in the league recently. They have a good group of players with them.
Jason Denayer and Marcelo guard their defenses, Ferland Mendy and Dubois provide the width. Ndombele and Aouar are expected at the midfield and in the hole up front, Nabil Fekir will play.
On either side forward, we can expect Bertrand Traore and Memphis Depay, while Moussa Dembele will be ready to pounce on goalscoring chances.
Barcelona's key here is not to be outdone by the two deep-lying Lyon midfielders, Aouar and Ndombele. Both players have a scary amount of pace and can outrun most of the midfield they face.
A grave mistake that Valverde must not commit here is to start a trio of Busquets, Rakitic and Vidal. The Blaugrana midfield will be too slow to handle the up and running Lyon midfielders. Ndombele is a good physical player who dribbles a lot and then also picks the right pass.
A big thing that Barcelona must do against him is to press him in numbers. Letting him run free is dangerous and pressing him alone could lead to little or no effect.
The next thing is to neutralize Nabil Fekir. He is the heart of the team, particularly in big games.
This is Sergio Busquets' assignment for 90 minutes. Watch and keep him inside the pockets for 90 minutes. Depay and Traore can provide threats of their own from the wide areas but the supply should be limited by neutralizing Fekir, Aouar, and Ndombele.
If you had witnessed Lyon's game against Manchester City earlier this season then you should have an idea of how Lyon plays exactly.
They don't mind not having the possession, they will let you have it, but they will keep the press on, keep their men spread over the pitch rather than sitting in the defensive third.
They are also not a team you can frustrate by passing around for fun as Guardiola's City found out. Their defense is strong even without the presence of any big names in the back four.
The left side is also a big key here. Ferland Mendy and Memphis Depay both play on the left, thus Semedo and Pique should be extra cautious in the game.
The right side, however, is there to exploit. Bertrand Traore and Dubois usually guard that side, defensively, Alba has a lesser amount of caution as compared to the left. Offensively, we know Barcelona would prefer this side due to added pace from Dembele and Alba there.
The defensive four of Lyon is something we can point out as an Achilles heel despite their spirited show. A good amount of pace and creativity can outdo them.
Barcelona have pace from Dembele, they have more than enough creativity thanks to a certain Argentine. Push Lyon to the back foot rather than letting them blend and get into the game is what Barcelona should do.
They should try to play somewhat as they did against Tottenham. Take control from the word go and keep it.
Will Messi be man-marked?
Messi can handle a man mark without any support. This seems a stupid idea if employed though. The man to mark him has to be without a doubt Ndombele or maybe Aouar. Either one of them marking him takes away a big attacking threat.
You cannot switch off while marking Messi just because he doesn't have the ball. There are Suarez and Alba on the pitch who know how to get him the ball or worse just go through the defense.
Messi moves all over the pitch, he doesn't run much, he keeps walking, it is frustrating for a marker.
The position and orientation of the whole team get distorted just because one player is running around cluelessly around a man who is walking.
There might be people who say that Croatia man-marked Messi amazingly in the World Cup game but that is an entirely different team. With all due respect, that Argentina team was the worst of recent times.
Key Player: Nelson Semedo
The role is Semedo seems the toughest on the pitch, at least on paper. He has to oblige with the attacking role that Barcelona wants and link up well with Messi.
You cannot put a foot wrong when playing passes with that man. Defensively, he has enough threat with Ferland Mendy and Memphis Depay both attacking through the flank that he defends. Good luck, Nelsinho.
#3 Sevilla vs Barcelona, Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, 23rd February 2019
After the trip to Lyon, which will surely be an exhausting fixture if not played the right way, Barcelona comes back to Spain to face Sevilla four days later.
Their lead at the top of the table, if everything goes well, will be only six points and in danger of dropping to four or even three at Seville.
Sevilla at home is a really tough opponent to face. They beat Real Madrid 3-0 when they faced earlier this season and also beat Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey quarters.
Last season, Barcelona trailed by two goals till the 88th minute before Lionel Messi struck from the bench to turn the game to 2-2. Dropping points here will tighten the pressure on Barcelona at the top of the table.
There is no chance that Barcelona can take with this game and thus rotations are very limited here. The only change that we propose is to use Sergi Roberto as right-back due to the long night that he is bound to have at Lyon.
Another change, which is highly unlikely given Valverde's favoritism, is dropping Rakitic to the bench and use Coutinho instead. If Coutinho is to play midfield, it will most likely happen at Alena's expense. But again, we are the coach here.
Tactics:
What we witnessed when Sevilla faced Real Madrid at home is pretty clear. They neglected the possession game but were extremely strong on the counter attacks. Ben-Yedder and Andre Silva chipped in with the goals as they ran out 3-0 winners.
When Sevilla faced Madrid at the Bernabeu, we noticed a few things too. Madrid pushed their lines up high, their midfield was in complete control of the game, they got more than enough chances to expose the defense of Sevilla.
What did Sevilla do? They were solid, rock-solid at the back. There might have been moments where they were put to shame by Vinicius, but the appreciation to them goes to the fact that they recompose themselves quickly. It was Casemiro's long-shot that gave them the lead, late in the day.
Do we have a clear idea of what Barcelona expect here? So what should be the gameplan? It isn't much different for each game but there are certain points that should always be kept in mind, especially the opposition's weaknesses.
We witnessed the game between Sevilla and Madrid at Bernabeu and couldn't help but notice one fact. Vinicius Junior's poor decision making and Madrid's poor finishing cost them at least three goals.
Where did the chances come from? The left flank of attack, the right side of the defence, where Jesus Navas started and Carrico supported him.
That is where Barcelona have to be good at and thankfully for them, Dembele and Alba will be on that wing. Rather than going about passing in the middle, pushing it from the left half-space and left wing will help Barcelona's cause to get a goal.
Sevilla doesn't mind parking the bus when the time gets ticking. So, the next key for the Blaugrana will be to score early, if possible, play as they did at Camp Nou. Lionel Messi played at Nou Camp for 15 minutes and he rattled Sevilla. Barcelona has to do the same again, only this time at Sevilla's home.
Pique's task here is simple yet complicated. Simple to understand and complicated to execute. He has to push the defensive line high to keep the pressure while attacking. If you let them have a five-minute spell of possession then you have to start from scratch, it consumes more energy.
Coutinho is our pick to start at left-midfield, provided he plays well in the game against Valladolid in that position.
He should be taking the risks that he has been reluctant to take so far. He passes it safely sideways rather than play a lofty through ball or at least try to. We don't need that Coutinho here.
There is no point of him play as the creative midfielder if he doesn't do that. A thing which could work in his favor is the ease to link with Suarez from the left half-space rather than the left-wing where Valverde starts him.
Let us come to substitutions. If Barcelona is leading by at least two goals by 65 minutes, we propose Malcom's introduction at Lionel Messi's expense.
He needs that 25-minute rest to take the next game on. If the goal difference is not achieved, then the coach should decide whether to substitute him based on the momentum.
If Sevilla looks like scoring if they convert their chances then better keep Messi on. Once the block their defenses then I doubt if anybody other than Messi can unlock it.
We still want Malcom to feature in this game and if the situation to substitute Messi is not ideal, we want Suarez taken off.
The scoreline doesn't matter in this case. It can be a 1 goal lead or maybe even a deadlock. Malcom will simply add fresh legs, faster legs to Messi's creativity and magic. However, even here, in a deadlock, Barcelona should assess the linkup plays. If Suarez is heavily involved then better drop the idea of taking him out.
The other substitution that we propose is to take Lenglet off, around the 75 or 70-minute mark, and replace him by Todibo or Murillo.
If Barcelona is in control, Arturo Vidal can be introduced in place of Busquets for the last 20 minutes or so. If they are not in control and are being bullied around by Sevilla, then Vidal should replace either of Coutinho or Alena, around the 65-minute mark.
Key Player: Gerard Pique
The Barcelona defensive general will have his work cut out against Sevilla. They are a team who are counter-attacking and have the pace to outrun both of Barcelona's central defenders.
Pique's concentration level, his prowess to win the balls in one-on-one situations and his anticipations will be crucial.
The defensive line has to be pushed up high so he should also be aware of the time that he will have to react to counters.
#2 Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Santiago Bernabeu, 27th February 2019
The Copa Del Rey semi-finals II leg will take place just 5 days after Barcelona's clash to Sevilla and yet again it is an away game for the Blaugrana. Real Madrid is having the slightest of advantages, the away goal from the first leg. Barcelona cannot leave any loose ends here, they need to play a strong 11.
Our lineup has two changes from the one which we proposed to visit Sevilla. Rakitic comes into the team in place of Alena, and Malcom takes Ousmane Dembele's place in the team. You can look at the rest of the team in the image above.
Tactics:
Why Sergi Roberto ahead of Nelson Semedo? This question needs to be answered sooner than later owing to the great performance from the Portuguese in the previous Clasico. The only reason is that we need him for the Clasico in the league.
The player who starts at right-back simply cannot play twice in a space of just three days. We think Semedo is required for the Clasico in the league, more than the Copa Del Rey.
Barcelona can rest Sergio Busquets if they want, we think that the Spaniard will be fine to feature twice in a space of three days. However, it can be Ivan Rakitic starting at defensive midfield, instead of Busquets.
The real Hobson's choice situation is whether to play Messi or not. We just cannot exclude him from the Clasico though. Rest? Maybe the game succeeding the Clasico.
There is not much of a tactical analysis to this one. Anything can happen in an El Clasico. Still, here's the deal, Sergi Roberto should set the right flank of fire as he does in every other Clasico.
The ease with which we can rest Semedo comes because of Sergi Roberto's insane form in the Clasico. Luis Suarez and Sergi Roberto have combined to score in the last three El Clasicos. Four goals in the last three games, to be accurate.
We don't know how much control Rakitic and Coutinho can provide in the midfield. Rakitic had a bad outing in the last Clasico, however, he has a tendency to perform really well in El Clasico, irrespective of form.
How many of you remember his performance in the 5-1 victory, or the 3-0 or 3-2 victory? He has been amazing in those games against the likes of Kroos and Modric.
Real Madrid had a bad day at the office against Ajax. All the classy and mesmerizing performances absent and replaced by the old-fashioned 'get a result' performance. That is good for Barcelona if they can actually replicate what Ajax did.
Here is the irony, Ajax replicated what Barcelona does in their best of games. Press ferociously, attack fearlessly, defend with everything you've got. Can Barcelona do that? They have the talent, but what about intent and desire?
Barcelona's major test as a defense will come against Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal. Both players accelerate the attacks down their respective flanks. The major disadvantage of having Sergi Roberto as the right-back is his defensive weakness.
Vinicius' pace would be a major issue here and in that case, Rakitic should move in to support back him up while Madrid attack. It is not much of a task on paper but the work on the pitch is as tough as it is.
Malcom playing from the left side is basically a hunch to give Dembele. It is a risk to play a youngster out of position but it sounds better than Coutinho at left-wing, where he has not made any impact, doesn't have the pace to threaten the defenders, and is not a bit confident.
Malcom's talent was on display in the last Clasico and he should need no extra motivation. Yes, he will be up against Carvajal, but then again, he was up against Marcelo the other day, who won?
Talking of substitutions, there might be one or two considering the upcoming game. If Barcelona is in control, then Vidal might replace Busquets around the 70th minute to give the Spaniard some rest.
Even Rakitic can take a bit of rest if necessary, Alena will be there on the bench. There might also be some contemplation about taking Suarez off around the 75th minute and put Kevin-Prince Boateng in, depends on the situation.
Key Player: Malcom
Our formation plays Malcom on the left side of the pitch. It is important for him to continue his performance from the previous Clasico and utilize his pace well.
He did splendidly well against Marcelo and should look to do the same against Carvajal. It shouldn't be tough linking with Alba but he should link well in the half-space with Coutinho as well. Malcom is the one we are banking on here.
#1 Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Santiago Bernabeu, 2nd March 2019
The final fixture in a very engaging twenty days or so for Barcelona will be their arch-rivals Real Madrid, again.
Three days after a game in the Copa Del Rey semis, for the third time in under 25 days, the two heavyweights will lock horn at Santiago Bernabeu, this time in LaLiga.
From the previous Clasico which was played in the Copa Del Rey, we make three changes to the starting lineup.
Alena comes into the team replacing Rakitic, Semedo slots in at right-back, and Dembele takes his place in the left-wing.
If everything goes well for Barcelona against Sevilla, their lead over Madrid coming into this game could be six points. It can also extend to 9 points with a win and also drop to 3 with a loss.
Tactics:
Semedo back in the lineup for the more crucial El Clasico adds the defensive solidity that should be there to complement the attacking prowess.
Sergi's only weakness is a defensive contribution but Semedo has got that covered. Alena is handed a start in a crucial game against Madrid in the league. Why is the experienced Rakitic not in the lineup? The reason for Alena's inclusion is his better game tempo.
Rakitic is a slow midfielder, not sleek with one touch passing and stuff, Alena, on the other hand, is quick to react to passes, attempts line-breaking passes, is a good one-touch passer etc.
Alena is young with not much prior experience playing against Modric and Kroos, true, but a certain Arthur Melo had a similar profile, and he schooled with both of them. The main purpose of adding Alena over anything else is to make sure that the defense is not slow in this game.
Rakitic is slower compared to him. In the Copa Del Rey, that can be excused, not in the league, there are no margins for error in the league now.
Even though we are starting Messi in almost every game, we did not speak a word about him in the previous game. It is because we would not mind Messi keeping a low intensity in that game, not looking to do pretty much everything, just walk around and then spell some magic when he has the ball.
But in this game, we need the exact opposite of the diminutive Argentine. We need a Lionel Messi who is looking to tear Madrid apart with each and every pass, each and every dribble, each and every shot.
To point a game out, we need a Messi who showed by against Tottenham in the Champions League. In the Copa Del Rey Clasico, we need the Messi who played for 15 minutes against Sevilla, take a slight break when off the ball, and then switch personality again.
Well, Lionel Messi's best of performances have come at the Bernabeu. His brace against Madrid in Champions League, his hattrick in 2013/14, his recent exploits in the 3-0 win, everything came at the Bernabeu.
Ousmane Dembele is back into the lineup and he is back after a good rest. Barcelona needs what they always get from Dembele, dribbles, passes, and goals. He does all three really well.
That is where Dembele and Vinicius are set apart. Dembele's decision making and passing are much better than the 18-year-old Brazilian.
Other than that there is nothing much to talk from a tactical point of view because more or less, the style of play would be the same.
Possession football, control in midfield, exploiting the wide spaces, both teams would look for these things. But there is one thing which does not set the balance right. We will mention it below.
Key Player: Lionel Messi
If there is something separating or you might say keeping the balance right between Real Madrid and Barcelona, based on current form, is this man. Lionel Messi is sometimes the only thing that separates the two sides.
In some games where he has a low work-rate, he might seem lazy and all but when he wants to win a game, his intensity shoots up. If Barcelona stands a chance to survive the next twenty odd days, this man is the key to it.
Whether his intensity is high or not, his presence on the pitch matters, not only in this game but every game. Gracias D10S.
