After a comfortable victory against Alavés, Barça receives Granada in Montjuïc in a match that has to serve to chain another three points and add good feelings to focus on the decisive stretch of the season. Here are my 5 tactical keys for this match:
The big surprise of the match in Mendizorroza was Xavi’s commitment to placing Andreas Christensen in the defensive pivot position, in a move that was reminiscent of the one made by the Barça coach with Eric García. A novelty that provided a lot of positional solidity but did not help in circulation. The Dane covered the area well and played safely, but it was very difficult for him to turn and continue the game. Therefore, it seems that it will be a solution only applicable in matches with high defensive demands. Either way, Christensen has all the right traits to suit the six position. If he has continuity there, he will end up doing it. We’ll see if Xavi continues it today.
The German goalkeeper is now available and can start. This is what Xavi hinted at in what would be a logical decision because, on paper, today’s game has to be a favorable match. Therefore, a perfect scenario for his return to competition to be progressive. Iñaki Peña, his replacement, has combined excellent performances with other very discreet ones. Taking into account the great inactivity with which the youth player came to fill the place, his behavior has been correct but, there is no doubt, that the return of Ter Stegen represents a leap in quality at all levels for a team that is conceding goals from an excessive way. Barça will be better from today.
Granada may come out in 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 or switch to a defense of five tonight. Be that as it may, there is an action that causes a lot of damage. And it is to open a pass to the wing after passing through the middle and passing through there. The defense does not like to defend forward and the wide players are little sacrificed for help from the outside. Taking into account that they will have Barça in front of them, perhaps they are a little more so today but, as the minutes go by, they will end up disarming. So it will be very beneficial for the wingers (Lamine and company) to gain meters in driving and be aggressive with the ball when receiving a pass from the center. They will have meters for it and the sides will hardly get in. If Barça exploits it, they will be able to enter the rival area many times.
Without Ferran Torres, João Félix, Marc Guiu (injured), or Vitor Roque (suspended), the top team is limited to Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and the return of Raphinha. That is why the left part of the attack will have to be occupied by a midfielder or a converted winger (Cancelo or Héctor Fort). Players who are not used to providing permanent depth and who will have to do so today. If not, Barça will lack too much punch on one of its sides. It is important that they provide that extra to stretch and open up.
Granada has recently been left without its best and most dangerous player, Bryan Zaragoza. In that case, we must talk about Facundo Pellistri. The Uruguayan, from Manchester United, is a wide-ranging footballer with a good dose of creativity. He has an outside game as well as the ability to do damage inside. He had a secondary role in the Premier so he comes with the need to vindicate himself with play. On the other hand, talk about Lucas Boyé, the scorer of this team. A versatile attacker who has skills in attacking the long game, intuition to read the finishing areas well, and plenty of goals. Three goals and three assists so far. Of course, he has more problems when he has to generate things away from the rival area.
