Nothing less than three classics in a few weeks. Three clashes between Barça and Real Madrid that will decide titles and that, as always, will influence the dynamics. The first, in the Cup and at the Bernabeu (9:00 p.m.). These are my 5 tactical keys for this great game:
To the well-known losses of Pedri and Dembélé one of the most important absences that Barça can have has been added, that of Robert Lewandowski. So Xavi and the team face a difficult situation to resolve. Without Pedri in the midfield, the Barça game has had hardly any play between the lines. If we add to this that the most decisive player in the area will not be there, the offensive deficit is considerable. And this lack of punch up top, added to the fact that the square has worked discreetly with one of the usual four outside, has surely caused Xavi to consider the possibility of playing in 4-3-3. And it is that changing the structure (4-3-3 with wingers) would not only counteract this deficiency, but would surprise Ancelotti. But the casualties and the fact that Ansu arrives just before the game limit so much that we will most likely see four midfielders and Ferran up from nine to start. But let no one rule out a pass to 4-3-3 if the coach decides to bring Ansu in in the second half.
Like Barça, Madrid is a team that has a hard time without the ball. Especially in their own field and when forced to change the orientation of their profiles. In addition, Barça has four players with a very good change of game (De Jong, Busquets, Koundé and Christensen) to put it into practice. It will be important that they know how to read it and that they know how to apply it. Especially the first two, who will have many more options to do so in opponent territory. If these players apply it, Barça will surely come up with some much more propitious starting situations.
This aspect is always important against Madrid because Barça has always done a lot of damage to the Merengue team receiving, turning and producing from receptions on the pivot sides (Camavinga, Kroos or Tchuameni). Today, he will have to exploit it again, but with different players. Decisive that Gavi, Ferran or Ansu, get inside to collect balls there.
In the Super Cup, Barça showed that they had perfectly worked high pressure. The wings (Dembélé and Gavi) matched up with their full-backs and the midfield did the same. And it worked fantastically well for the Catalans. So much so, that Gavi’s 0-1 came after great collective pressure. Today it has to be an aspect to use again because Madrid will not give up taking the ball from behind, but it will be essential that all the Barça players have, at least, the same level of concentration and activation as that day. If he does, he can once again get clear scoring chances.
Due to all the determining factors of the match, the Catalans may have, on paper, less of the ball than in previous matches. Barça have to be aggressive with the ball when they are in the rival field but, above all, they must be prepared for Madrid’s brilliant transitions. They are very strong in this with the intermediate height of Benzema and, especially, with the speed of Vinícius. That is why it is very likely that we will see Araújo on the right. A face to face of high level.
