After the blow suffered at Old Trafford, the match against Almería has become transcendental for Barça. The Catalans travel with the need to achieve a victory that will make them forget the European elimination and that will dispel any possible doubts. Here my 5 tactical keys for this match:
The one in Almería is a perfect match to see exactly to what extent Xavi considers the system of four midfielders to be essential since it is a game that is at an indeterminate point. Because neither possession will be, a priori, discussed nor will the rival be locked in a permanent low block. For this reason, any of the two most common tactical structures in the coach makes all the sense in the world. The square in the center gives you more possession and greater control of the game. The 4-3-3 with pure wingers brings more outside punch.
A transcendental aspect against Almería will be to insist on breaking behind the Andalusian defense. It is something that Barça has to repeat over and over again regardless of whether there is more or less space for it. And it is that Rubi’s are a team that suffers especially in these movements. Behind Almería it is difficult to keep the line and read the movements of the opponents to counteract them. So much so that the Andalusian team received four goals in Girona in this way.
Against Cádiz Ferran Torres signed his best performance in the Barça shirt, registering 10 out of 12 in dribbling (83%), making it 1-0 and generating multiple dangerous actions. And at Old Trafford, despite having just twenty minutes, he was the best. Almost all of the little danger that Barça generated came from his boots. He is in a great moment and the team has to exploit this positive inertia. It is only fair that he starts and I think Xavi will be fair to him. It is important that he confirms the great improvement in his game, as well as it is important that Barça pull from him. Whether in the 4-3-3 with an inside square or in the pure 4-3-3, he will start from the wing for sure. But we’ll see which one. He is doing better on the right but without Ansu he may have to play on the left.
Without Pedri and without Gavi, Barça lacked imagination and presence in the most decisive space on the offensive plane: the game between the lines. Gavi will be in Almería, so Barça will be able to count on a footballer with the skills to generate in this space. In addition, the game structure of the Andalusian team (4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2) will make it easier for the Barça game to find passes inside and this is an aspect that the team has to take advantage of.
Attention young Belgian Largie Ramazani. A striker who has positively surprised in many competition sections. He is fast and powerful, but also very skilled. Characteristics that make it a very good weapon to do damage with spaces. He is used to signing excellent performances in games that, due to the way the opponent plays, give him a field to run, as can be the context against Barça. It is also worth noting the Argentine Lucas Robertone. He is a 25-year-old midfielder with great hitting, a very good pass and a great ability to reach the box from behind. An interesting footballer and a fixture in Rubi’s team. He is the fifth player most used by the coach and has accumulated one goal and five assists so far this season.
