Barcelona 6-0 Granada: Tactical Analysis - How Luis Enrique's tactics helped Barcelona score six

Barcelona’s Neymar celebrates with Lionel Messi and other teammates

Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. keep the La Liga leaders on top of the table as Barcelona mauled Granada for six, ahead of the crucial Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Barcelona have had an exceptional start to the campaign with a near perfect record, winning 5 out of the 6 games but were held back by a diligent Malaga defence in a frustrating 0-0 draw. The Catalans have made a fierce comeback from the previous matchday and seems it is better the Madrid Company push the panic button sooner than later.

Lineups

4-3-3 to 2-6-2

The formation change has been the major reason why the Blaugranas seem to have acquired a new look under Luis Enrique. To kick things off, Barcelona deployed a typical 4-3-3 with the wingers starting out wide and Messi being the focal point of attack. As they started building the attack from the heart of defence, the shape gradually changed into a 2-6-2. The transition happens mainly owing to the full backs charging forward and the wingmen drifting to the centre to form a front-two.

Neymar & Munir as strikers; Alves & Adriano high up the pitch

This pulled Messi back from his centre forward position to more of a No.10 role wherein he has the attacking third to go in at. So the crux of 2-6-2 is based on utilizing Messi as a playmaker while the finishing part is taken care of by Neymar and Munir.

It is a much needed change for Barcelona given the fact that Luis Suarez would be returning in a few weeks as a front two of Neymar and Suarez with the supply of Messi could spell doom to any defence.

Fullbacks playing as wingbacks

Passes received by Alves (Stats courtesy FourFourTwo)

Another critical factor to be considered in the 2-6-2 is how the roles of the full backs have evolved. Here, the fullbacks are of immense importance on the attacking front and virtually become the wingers during build-up play. Supplementing the attack would top the ‘to-do’ list for most of the fullbacks in modern football.

While in the 2-6-2, much of Barcelona’s attacks are based on wing-play and moving forward in the attacking third by changing the flanks at regular intervals. Denying the Catalans any space in the centre of the park has been the trend of late and Enrique’s men may have just found the solution to address this situation.

Passes received by Adriano (Stats courtesy FourFourTwo)

These arrow-marks show the passes received by Adriano and Alves in yesterday’s game and it is clearly evident that both the full backs have taken a very high position in the pitch, as they have received majority of the passes from a winger’s position.

When either Adriano or Alves are denied any space on the flank, they have the option of changing flanks by playing a long ball to the other side of the pitch or by playing a short pass to Xavi or Rakitic who would ensure that the ball is distributed.

This constant movement of the ball between flanks worked wonders for the Catalans going at a crowded attacking third.

High Pressing

Messi, Rakitic & Neymar pressing which led to first goal

The system of total football that Guardiola deployed is all about working hard on the ball and working even harder off it. High pressing was an essential element needed to succeed under Guardiola’s system and it has only become all the more essential under Enrique.

As mentioned earlier, the full backs acquire a very high position up the pitch and if the Catalans lose possession in the attacking third, then the opposition just have Mathieu and Mascherano to go at on the counter. So Barcelona simply cannot afford to give much time to their opposition if caught off possession as it can pose a serious threat and this justifies the high pressing that Enrique has deployed.

The impressive record of seven clean sheets in seven games is also as a result of the high pressing that Barcelona have reinvented under Enrique. The high pressure deployed by Barcelona not only paid them a good deal in defence but also in attack as the first goal scored by Neymar and the last goal scored by Messi were both results of pressing in the attacking third.

Sandro, Messi & Neymar’s pressing led to the sixth goal

Conclusion

Luis Enrique seems to be clear with his strategies and has got the desired results from his men thus far. Though it is early days before we draw conclusions about the team, Barcelona seem a much solid unit both tactically and mentally.

The Catalans would be looking to extend their run of form when they face Paris Saint-Germain in a group stage tie on the UEFA Champions League, which would certainly be another tactical test for Enrique and his men.