Barcelona are getting ready to face Brest in a vital UEFA Champions League match, and there are vital issues surrounding the staff’s lineup.
One of many largest points is the absence of Lamine Yamal for the third consecutive sport, leaving supervisor Hansi Flick with a troublesome resolution to make.
Sadly, Barcelona haven’t been capable of finding a transparent answer to this drawback of their earlier two matches.
The staff’s have to safe a win and proceed gathering factors within the Champions League is extra urgent than ever, however this doesn’t essentially imply there will probably be main adjustments to the beginning lineup for the upcoming sport in opposition to Brest.
Whereas the core of the staff will seemingly stay the identical, the tactical flexibility of the gamers will proceed to vary the general method, particularly relying on who occupies which positions on the sphere.
Who will characteristic and the place?
Within the match in opposition to Actual Sociedad, Barcelona performed with a three-man midfield, the place Fermin Lopez began on the proper wing, Raphinha took the left, and Pedri performed behind Lewandowski.
In distinction, in opposition to Celta Vigo, Raphinha moved to the proper, Dani Olmo took the left, and Gavi and Pedri alternated in central midfield.
It stays to be seen the place Fermin Lopez will play. (Photograph by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Photos)
One factor that stood out in each video games was that Olmo didn’t play because the attacking midfielder behind Lewandowski, a place that might provide a brand new tactical answer.
For the upcoming match, one doable answer may very well be to put Raphinha on the proper wing, as he did in opposition to Celta Vigo, with Fermin on the left.
Each of those gamers are versatile and comfy with switching between toes, very similar to they did in a number of matches final season. This tactical flexibility may very well be key to filling the hole left by Yamal’s absence.
What about defence?
On high of those attacking changes, Barcelona may also should take care of Alejandro Balde’s absence at left-back.
This raises the query of whether or not Flick will decide to stay with Gerard Martin, who stuffed in for Balde within the earlier match, or whether or not Hector Fort, who additionally performed as a left-back within the second half in opposition to Celta Vigo, will get the nod.
To be honest, Martin didn’t persuade the supervisor in any respect and all the things factors to the truth that he will probably be changed by Fort in opposition to Brest.
The supervisor’s resolution on this might influence the staff’s defensive stability. With so many variables at play, Barcelona’s tactical method in opposition to Brest will probably be essential.