The first classic of the season arrives. A different classic because it arrives early and on stage. And Montjuïc will experience its first official classic in history. An important match for Barça since they will surpass Madrid in case of victory. These are my 5 Barcelona tactical keys for this great game:
The first point from the Barça perspective is the choice of the structure at the back. And the current Barça has started to generate more in attack (possession and shots at the rival goal have increased) but it is not nearly as compact at the back as last season. And in such a context it is very likely that Xavi will decide to recover the three-back structure to be more solid and disable the counters of one of the teams that runs best on the European scene. Furthermore, this framing would allow Araújo to be placed on the right to pair him with Vinícius.
In a Barça-Madrid or a Madrid-Barça it is always vital to impose the way of playing. And more from the Barça prism. Because unlike Madrid, Barça has always needed to command to win these matches. That is why it will be decisive that the Barça midfield prevails over the Madrid diamond. And for this it will be essential that the top part of the Barça square (Gavi, Gündogan and João Félix) know how to position themselves well to receive behind their interior players (Kroos and Valverde or Kroos and Modric) and away from the pivot (Tchouaméni). That’s where a big part of the issue will be. The other part will fall on the center backs and the pivots so that they know how to connect with them. If Barça achieves this, they will be able to break Madrid’s diamond, dominate the game and arrive with ease.
One of the weak points of the 4-4-2 in a diamond is the spaces left when swinging defensively. If we also add that Madrid (like Barça) is not a team used to defending in its own field, these spaces increase. There is a maneuver that is especially difficult for the Madrid team: it is the one that combines a complete turn of the game with a lateral cross. When this happens, Madrid has many difficulties because, due to its internal structure, it cannot cover the center (the center back can make it comfortable) and it is difficult for the center backs to reference the marks in the area well. Atlético de Madrid scored two goals like that, Sevilla also scored, and Girona generated three other very clear actions.
The Portuguese will start from the left. And it was clear against Athletic that, in the current situation of losses, the team needs him much more on the left than playing centered. Right now, the most creative player with the greatest ability to score goals. Barça needs him to participate as much as possible and on the outside he does it more. Against Athletic there were only five interventions in 25 minutes. His duel with Carvajal will be key for a double reason. The first, because he has to lead the generation of play between the lines and, second, because when he comes inside, Carvajal will follow him. The Madrid full-back is very draggable and that will generate entry spaces from the left. We will see if for Cancelo or for Balde. In this sector, the match can be decided in Barça key.
Defensively, Barça will have to be excellent. Because Madrid is a team with the capacity to cause damage in many different ways. As noted above, on the cons. It will be important not to lose the ball in prohibited areas and only do so in offensive risk areas so that the Madridistas cannot run. Furthermore, it will be important to individually stop Madrid’s two main sources of danger. On the one hand, to its greatest generator: Vinícius. Because it is not only his overwhelm (1.90 successful dribbles per game and 1.9 close fouls caused) but the disorder that he generates with his driving. Araújo will take care of that on paper. And then the appearances of Jude Bellingham. A footballer very ready to enter unoccupied areas to surprise (8 goals and 2 assists in the League). He directly participates in 48% of Real Madrid’s goals. And that will be the responsibility of the entire team.
