After both teams qualified for the Champions League Quarterfinals, Atlético and Barça will face each other in another vital match for both. After both teams qualified for the Champions League Quarterfinals, Atlético and Barça will face each other in another vital match for both. A Barça victory would certify the football improvement of recent weeks on the field that, until now, is the most difficult in the championship. Here are my 5 tactical keys for this great game:
Day with options for the Portuguese to start. Because it is so true that Xavi has made it clear what his team will be and its structure until the end of the season and that it is always convenient and necessary to introduce one or two changes to the starting lineup. It must also be taken into account that, in the first round match in Montjuïc, Barça offered one of the best versions of the season starting with a 1-4-3-3 with Joao Félix on the left. As in the first leg, he will be extra motivated and that is something that Xavi has to take advantage of. It is also possible that the coach will bring in Íñigo Martínez in the central axis to give air to Pau Cubarsí or Ronald Araujo. What will be immovable will be the presence of Christensen as a defensive midfielder and it may be that, after his notable performance against Naples, Sergi Roberto will be his companion on the left.
Atlético is one of the teams that best masters the selective activation of pressure. Or what is the same, you can press any area very well as you want. It will be transcendental that Barça knows how to interpret these moments and, even more, that it knows how to come out of it with clairvoyance. Another relevant thing will be that, every time you can do it, be clear that the free space to attack will be on the opposite side. These two maneuvers combined create many problems for Atlético. They are not easy actions but they are one of the best ways to generate chances. He has conceded several goals like that. A clear example is that of Joao Félix in the Montjuïc match.
Due to the way they play (5-3-2) and the way they defend when the rival approaches the area, the colchoneros leave a very free area: the surroundings of the large area. And, when any opponent manages to push them near their area, the center midfielder joins the defense of five to defend. This means that there are only two midfielders left to cover the entire outer zone and that allows a lot of space. Something that makes kicks from medium distance much easier. So much so that 40% of the total shots that Atlético de Madrid receives are from the front or beyond. The second team that receives the most only behind Mallorca. Barça has to exploit it a lot today. Clear opportunity for Raphinha, Lamine or Joao Félix, players with good outside shooting.
One of the most important things tonight will be to choose the direction of your passes well to progress. Because for a 5-3-2 it is impossible to block all passing lanes. So it is very important that the defenders and the Barça midfielder (Christensen) are fine in identifying which is the most appropriate next pass to progress. If Barça links sequences like this, it will force Atlético to defend a lot of space and wear themselves out to a great extent. With this, they can notice the fatigue of the Champions League more.
The former Barça player already returned against Inter and will once again be the most important player in the offensive game. Based on the freedom of movement that he has with Simeone, he is a difficult piece to control due to his intelligence on the field and his ability to detect free spaces during the dynamism of the game. Furthermore, being paired with Morata complements Griezmann and Morata himself, improving both of their versions. The striker, who always tends to play at the limit of offside, takes advantage of the Frenchman’s attraction to rivals to launch excellent diagonal breaking movements. 25 goals and seven assists between the two. That is, they participate in 46% of Atlético’s goals. Any possibility of not fitting in involves minimizing his participation. Also highlight the state of form of former Barcelona player Memphis Depay.
