Barça will expect a real carom this afternoon in the Champions League. The azulgranas will go out on the pitch knowing the result of Inter and, in front, they will have nothing less than Bayern Munich. Be that as it may, in front will be one of the most powerful teams on the continent. Here are my tactical keys for this match:
The match situation will be, at the very least, particular. Because a few moments before jumping onto the pitch, Barça will know if they still have qualifying options or not. That is, if the match is a challenge for the competition or a simply sporting challenge. And this is where the team must show strength and adaptability. Be that as it may, the meeting will have its importance. And it is that measuring Bayern will serve to establish the real level of the team. As for the eleven, the main question is about tactics and whether Xavi will decide to keep the drawing of four midfielders exposed against Athletic or return to the stability of 4-3-3.
One of Bayern’s strongest points is pressure. That is why it will be very important to be able to get out of it again. And in that, the role of De Jong will be especially relevant, a player with a special ability to overcome situations one by one. As it will also be important that another of the midfielders (Busquets or Pedri depending on Xavi’s choice), position themselves as low receivers to make it impossible to pressure the man. Something that was already decisive on Sunday to overcome the pressure from Athletic and could be so again tonight.
There will be many moments when Bayern will take the ball away from Barca. And these stretches is when it will be essential for the Barça team to maintain order, distances and defensive concepts. Like for example that the wide players close when Bayern’s attack goes the other way, that there are defensive aids or that the pressure jumps are clear and coordinated.
Barça’s week has served, among other things, to see the best version of several of the Barça attackers: Ansu against Madrid and Villareal, Ferran against Villareal and Athletic and Dembelé against Athletic. And this is a factor that Barça has to try to maintain. We will see if Xavi opts for the formula of the fourth midfielder (it would be advisable against Bayern) or returns to the two pure wingers but, in any case, it will be good practice to destabilize the German defense by playing with the minutes and the profiles of the three. Ansu is global, Ferran is super dynamic and Dembelé is a pure attacker. The three come from scoring and are confident.
Sané will not be there but Coman will. An ultra unbalanced winger and a spectacular football level. He can still play both sides and he is used to doing it on the right. Behind Sané, he is the player who unbalances the most with 1.8 dribbles that they beat per game. A level touchstone for Balde or Marcos Alonso. Attention also to Jamal Musiala. One of the talents who, along with Pedri or Foden, will set the tone for the midfielders of the decade. A footballer with a lot of individual talent, a great game between the lines and a good definition. He normally plays behind Mané and deals damage from there. He already has six goals and four assists this season. And finally, a lot of attention to the strategic plays that already cost Barça a goal in the Allianz match. Without a doubt, an aspect of the game in which Bayern are very strong. So far this season, the Bavarian team has already registered seven goals in this type of action.
