Who is Barcelona’s new head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino?

Style of Football

Like Bielsa and Guardiola, Martino assembles teams who could play with some essential elements like quick passing, high pressing and a commitment to a footballing philosophy that is more important than an individual result. This strategy, when done correctly, is both defensive (not allowing the other team to advance) and offensive (creating quick scoring opportunities).

He favours a shifting formation, that at its core can be described as a 4-1-4-1 (or 4-3-3). In attack, the wide midfielders bomb forward to become wingers, and the shape resembled a perfect 4-3-3, with plenty of support from the full-backs. In defense, it changes into a 5-4-1 with the defensive midfielder dropping back between the centre-backs and the wide midfielders helping to form a middle four. Have a look at the tactical diagram above.

For an interesting read about Martino’s tactics and how he sees football, I recommend you all to have a read at this impressive piece of article written by Euan Marshall and also this one on Barcelona’s official website.

Final Thoughts..

Martino is a good coach with a lot to be proud of. Still, Barcelona would be a big challenge for him, especially taking over this late in the pre-season. He has never managed in Europe. Even though he has managed in the big tournaments like the World Cup, Copa America and the Copa Libertadores, he has never been the favourite in any of them. That wouldn’t be the same in Catalonia, as Barcelona would enter all competitions as contenders for the title.

There are many good reasons that he is appointed. One reason is, of course, his connection with Messi and the other is his Bielsa association, but the most important reason is that stylistically he seems to fit in well with Barcelona. He likes to play a 4-3-3 (or 4-1-4-1) with a false number nine, but has shown flexibility with his formations and tactics in the past. Something the Catalan giants have lacked.

South American coaches have had mixed fortunes after moving to Europe but if anyone has a chance of succeeding, it looks like Martino could well be the man. It would surely be interesting to see what he does in his first season at the Camp Nou.