25.10.2010 13:00

New systems, but the same style

Marc Guillén

Guardiola is reinventing his team with significant tactical changes in their last three games to overcome their opponents’ attempts to frustrate Barça’s trademark style.

Barça’s front men have been constantly switching their positions since the start of the season and at times it’s been difficult to be clear about who is playing where, but always within the same 4-3-3 system – until the last three games.

3-4-3

Just before the Zaragaoza game kicked off, Guardiola told Alves that he wanted him to play in midfield, as the team would be starting with a three man defence: Busquets, Keiat and Alves would play behind Messi would start a “false” Xavi, sitting just behind the three out and out front men, Iniesta, Villa and Pedro. This new system was designed to counter the ultra defensive tactics that opponents were using by flooding the midfield and giving putting more players into the second phase of attack- as we saw in the second goal at La Romareda. Guardiola had only previously used this system in moments of great urgency, such as during last season’s Champions League semifinal against Inter.

Attacking 4-4-2

Barça were losing 0-1 against Valencia after 45 minutes with their usual 4-3-3 formation and only when Guardiola decided to drop a striker back into the middle and leave Messi and Villa up front, did the team turn it round, as his team began to win possession back and create problems for the visitors with the system quickly becoming a 3-5-2 as the fullbacks pushed forward, something they repeated against Copenhagen.