In the midst of the institutional commotion over Xavi’s continuity, Barça closes the League at home by hosting Rayo Vallecano in Montjuïc. A victory would certify second place for the Blaugranas. In front, a Lightning that arrives with the tranquility of homework almost done. Here are my tactical keys for this match:
After the three rested in Almería, it is anticipated that the three will return to the team this afternoon. The first, in the role of winger on the left and, the second, in the role of false winger on the inside as has been usual in recent weeks. Next to the Brazilian is where we find the big unknown for today: because if the coach wants to bring on Gündogan, Pedri or Fermín have many numbers not to be in the eleven. The youth player comes from two goals and being the best in Almería, so his ownership seems quite clear. So sliding the German’s height to the bottom of the square next to Christensen or Sergi Roberto is an option that has many possibilities. That would leave Pedri out. And combining the two on the game platform (Gündogan-Pedri) would be something strange.
In Almería it was seen, once again, that Barça has problems pressing if it does not adjust the responsibilities well and, above all, the travel distances. When the team is together, Barça is efficient in high pressing but, when it extends excessively, it is easy to overtake. And when that happens, another collateral problem appears: that attacks are more difficult because the team has to build them from far back (more rivals behind the ball) and talented players are more tired from the back-and-forth. So it will be important that today is one of those days when the Catalans are a compact block.
Both because of the game system (1-4-2-3-1) and because of the behavior of the players on the field, one of the things that do the most damage to Rayo are the entrances of the second line between the winger and the center back. . And that is something that Barça has to exploit today both with the two interior players and also with the full-backs or wingers creating interior breaks. Just what Fermín López did on multiple occasions against Almería. He is very good at it and is in great shape. Today there will once again be spaces behind the defense to repeat it. Another ideal match for one of the fittest players on the team.
Rayo is a team that does not back down. In fact, one of the characteristic facts of Íñigo Pérez’s team is pressure. A pressure that they do not do in a crazy way but they do do it when the rival enters the middle zone of the field. That is why they leave certain spaces behind the defense. They will also appear today even if the match is against Barça and as a visitor. An aspect in which the Catalans have to influence by making breakaways behind their backs. But it will also be important that you know how to do them in the part where it will be most favorable. And this will undoubtedly be the area defended by Florian Lejeune, a fixed central defender in the Rayista box, with great aerial play and slow movements to go back. So the Lewandowskis, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and company will have to break behind him today. If they do it and a good pass arrives, it will be an opportunity to score.
We could talk about interesting footballers like Camello, Unai López, Kike Pérez or De Frutos, but the most marked dangers of this Rayo continue to be those of previous seasons. And both Isi Palazón and Álvaro García are the two pieces that generate the most and that overflow the most from Íñigo Pérez’s team. They both occupy the wing positions and know how to combine playing inside with depth very well. Because of his great shot, Isi especially likes to receive wide and then draw the diagonal to finish. With an average of 1.9 shots per game, he is the Rayo player who tries the most and has scored four goals like this. He is also in charge of launching almost all set pieces. Álvaro García is also left-footed and plays on the natural side. Maybe that’s why he likes to get more from the outside because he’s also fast. He is also very good at making diagonal breaks towards goal. With six goals and one assist, he is the Vallecano team’s top scorer.
