FC Barcelona Five cents on Guardiola tactics and Bojan Antiques
Quoting Wilson's article:
"Trying to note down the Mexican formation, I had them as four at the back, then three, then four, then three, and I realised it was neither and both"
That sums it up for me. The comments (and the main article) here range from those who think that the coach rejuvenate the tactical approach of his team on weekly bases (which is pretty much what we read after each and every match), while some comments pointed out that the coach just tell his players: "Go do your thing".
IMO the real deal is somewhere in between. It is not a Wilson's tactical theses (that I doubt lot of players have enough intellectual patience to digest), nor Go and play at will.
Rigid traditional tactical structures are just catchy material for journalism, and elementary coaching knowledge to start from. When you reach a level where you coach a club like Barcelona, you base your coaching on tactical kit and concepts, not on tactical structures. Obviously, there has to be an initial tactical structure that serve as a skeleton- which barely change. But the ending product goes far beyond that.
As a demonstration, FC Barcelona's tactical approach is clear and stable. The concepts are: Possession + offense oriented +no spaces between the lines + width + high press. The roadmap to achieve that varies not only with each match but it even change many times during the game. Sometimes you may have Pique-Puyol-Abidal at the back with a holding midfielder in front, with Iniesta opening to channels from the midfield to balance width with Alves and offer the wings the chance to cut in (Fulfilling all previously mentioned concepts). Sometimes with the same back you find Iniesta playing as a wing creating width with Alves while Messi and Keita from the midfield getting into the box to aid the striker (Again fulfilling the concepts mentioned above). At the moment (for reasons I won't explain as my comment is long already), Abidal or any other left back go forward with Busquets covering and one midfielder playing a bit deeper to fill the holding midfielder space where needed (The output is relatively the same). The reasons why a coach picks one option over another depend on the difference in his players’ skills with respect to the opponent.
From there on, players have the experience to make decisions as well. If an opponent is countering through the center in the midfield running in a space, the three defenders will not say "Sorry we will not leave our positions because the tactical structure dictates 3 defenders" especially if they only have one forward to mark. One of them step forward and serve as holding midfielder. And it goes the same based on different match schemes (one of the key concepts in training sessions). We must not ignore the room of empowerment given to players as well to avoid tactical predictability. Players like Xavi are tactical directors on the field and through his passing strategies he hold all strings and movements that go beyond the simple concept of tactical structures. Dont let me start talking about Messi. He can change the so called tactical structure from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 diamond in one move. Go figure...
Theoretical concepts get too much sometimes. With Barcelona's possession and offense, their "holding midfielder" may spend more time in an advanced position than the opponent "attacking midfielder". So do we name positions based on the player position with respect to his teammates or his position on the field? Good question.
Trying to note down the Mexican formation, I had them as four at the back, then three, then four, then three, and I realised it was neither and both
Good call indeed!
Coaches are already complaining that the matches intensity gives them to chance to prepare their teams properly for the match that comes next. Mind you, when they say “prepare” they mean the need to introduce their teams to the following opponent strengths and weaknesses and tell them how to use the team’s system to counter that. It feels oddly unrealistic to think that coaches may dramatically change their tactical approach many times during the season, as long as there is no unavoidable need to do so. They tweak the system, enrich it, and continuously improve it. Revolutionary tactical innovations take place –if it will- during preseasons. That’s if there was enough time for that.
What’s usually more important than tactical structure are the match schemes. Match schemes are based on conditional assumptions that meet some possible situations players may face during a game and counter it. A U-turn in the tactical structure threatens the validity of the already accomplished schemes because such schemes rely on the initial positioning and distribution of the players at a point. That means starting all over again. Coaches think twice and a thousand times before crossing that bridge.
Are their tactical changes at FC Barcelona this season? You bet. But there is nothing as radical as calling it an evolution. I can’t even foresee that happening anytime soon.
In another subject, Bojan's crises is the topic of the day. Some consider him a key player who just need some patience, others want to sell him as soon as possible. My five cents on this matter could be briefed as follows:
Pep need to sit and have a talk with him. The key topic is:”We need you ready when you are 24 years old. Just like Iniesta, Till then, no pressure on you.”. We sign a striker to complete a primary offense line of Messi-Striker-Villa, while having Pedro as a game changer (plus rotation). Then we start picking the right matches and minutes for Bojan to gradually develop his readiness for the big stage. When he is 24 years old (or earlier if he improve enough), the club makes the decesion. Either he end up being a key player. A squad player. Or on the transfer list.
I will think a thousand times before offloading a player with obvious talent like Bojan, who knows the club and the football executed here. But I also consider it a Russian roulette attempt to push him to the front and get him burned. It may work, but the risk is too high to worth trying.
The club committed enough mistakes already to damage his development. He also contributed when he put Barca between two choices “either promote me or I leave”. Now its time to do things right.
Posted by Ramzi
on 08:17.
Filed under