Thread by @BarcaFront

Since I won't be doing a big preview for #BayernBarça, here's a short thread on what @FCBarcelona can do against @FCBayernEN in a completely theoretical setup. I'll highlight some offensive and defensive situations with examples and analysis.

Discussions and RTs welcome!

THREAD

In attack, we'll likely see Barcelona with a back three as Busquets drops deep. This, in theory, could work against Bayern's flexible 4-4-2/ 4-3-3 press as Muller joins Lewandowski and then a winger pushes up as well. Essentially, this is used to activate the second line of press

... and create overloads on Bayern's double-pivot like below. Lenglet has two options:
1) Directly to Alba who is now free as Fati keeps the RB pinned and then to Puig who can advance.
2) Messi overloads the CMs, FDJ drops deep to create decisional crisis and Lenglet can...

find either of them with a penetrating pass. Bayern's CM can theoretically negate this by waiting for the pass and then deciding who to press but either way, Barcelona have at least one man who receives the ball.

Lenglet is left-footed and has the range to find Messi here too.

The other scenario uses Griezmann instead of Fati, although I'd prefer the first one. Here, instead of pinning the backline, Griezou drops down his half-space to create the overload and allow Messi to say higher. Here, De Jong becomes a LCB to beat the press and advance play.

Of course, in this instance, Bayern's CBs would immediately follow Griezou and stay on him but that opens up space elsewhere. Suárez would theoretically, however, keep them pinned along with Messi who's now higher up.

Again, due to an overload, they should have a free man in mf

We have actually seen Barcelona do this play numerous times before, such as in this example against Alavés. Notice the same pattern? Three in the back, engage the second line, open the path to Alba and then quickly switch play to the central areas.

Similar principles can be applied if they build-up with 2 CBs + deep pivot. Bayern will then press with Lewa/ Muller while wingers cover the half-space/ FBs.

But by dropping an additional man, Bayern's pivot can be overloaded which creates a decisional crisis.

Defensively, Barcelona obviously have a huge problem. IMO, they shouldn't press Bayern high because a) They're old and slow and b) Bayern would absolutely love that.

Instead, a mid-block 4-4-2 would be better but not ideal, especially with Suárez in the lineup. Let's explore it.

Suárez would have to press the CBs aggressively to force them wide while Messi keeps one of the CMs in his cover shadow. Busquets would have to be on Muller who likes to roam around the final third.

Here, Barcelona force wide and then collapse with wide CMs/ wingers + touchline.

This, however, means that Suárez has to be actively pressing the CB so Bayern don't get a chance to go centrally. Barcelona have a tendency of leaving the opp pivot free but can't allow that vs Bayern.

The other option is having Messi flanked with Fati/ Griezmann instead.

This would of course alter the att tactics as well but defensively, they could adopt a much more potent 4-1-4-1 formation such as the one below.

Contrary to popular belief, Messi can press intensely, at least better than Suárez while Fati/ Griez drop to form a 4-man line.

Messi keeps the far-side CM in his cover shadow and presses the CB. Busquets is on Muller while the wingers - both of whom are willing pressers - can now collapse on the FBs once the play is forced out wide.

Barcelona can wait for an ideal moment for Messi to step up but...

the key is to deny them central progression. Of course, this is easier said than done and this is just a theoretical setup that doesn't take much of the other context into account.

Stay tuned for @cam_meighan's much more detailed preview this Friday. ✍️💪

@thesinglepivot @LaMasiaNostra @CaptnGuardiola @barca_natics @PausaFutbol @ElJuegoPosicion @MarcusBr22 @aldosainati @TacticoModerno @jcperez_ @FCBNewsRoom @ZachLowy @luism8989

Thoughts, ideas, comments all appreciated! This is a simple breakdown with a couple of ideas! Thanks!