Barcelona: Ousmane Dembele could be a key weapon against Sevilla

The French winger could be perfectly placed to take advantage of gaps in Sevilla’s defensive shape.

Pablo Machin has implemented a 3-5-2 system at Sevilla since taking over as manager in the summer, which is flexible stylistically depending on their opponent. Against Real Madrid, they showed their counter-attacking prowess as they ruthlessly tore them apart in a comprehensive 3-0 victory. However, they showed against Celta Vigo and Levante that they aren’t overly-reliant on quick transitions because they can break down stubborn defensive shapes.

Los Hispalenses are currently top of the league with 16 points after eight games due to the big three all having early issues to solve. They have been playing games since late July due to playing through three rounds of the qualifying stages for the Europa League, but they have won 12 and only lost four games out of 17 in all competitions. Facing Barcelona at Camp Nou will be their toughest test so far, though, even if the Catalans aren’t at their usual best.

The Spanish Super Cup in Tangiers served as a taster for this match as Barcelona were able to come away with a 2-1 victory thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s wonder strike. He could have a similar level of influence over proceedings in this match as well.

Luis Suarez used the international break to deal with discomfort in his right knee, although he has trained with the group recently which suggests that his treatment is finished. However, he could miss this game as a precautionary measure to ensure he is fresh for the clashes with Internazionale and Real Madrid. This would free up Dembele to play on the right-wing, with Lionel Messi in the centre and Philippe Coutinho on the left.

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Sevilla shift into a 5-3-2 defensive shape with one of the two strikers occasionally dropping deeper to for a four-man midfield, but they try to keep the two strikers up front in order to transition quickly. Playing through the centre will be tough due to how they deny space in those areas. Therefore, getting behind the defence on the flanks by making runs between the wing-back and outside centre-back will be pivotal.

The main weakness with a 3-5-2/5-3-2 is lack of width so one of the midfielders has to come across to avoid overloads. Barcelona’s ability to quickly move the ball as well as Messi’s incisive passing from deep should create opportunities to isolate Dembele with the centre-back or allow him to reach the byline with the defence retreating backwards. His trickiness, quick feet and excellent decision-making should allow him to take advantage. There is also Jordi Alba on the other wing who is an expert at timing his runs to coincide with Messi’s long arching passes behind the defence.

Suarez’s absence is key to this because, otherwise, Dembele would play on the same wing as Alba, if he starts, and they end up getting in each other’s way by taking up similar positions in the final third as part of the attacking shape. In contrast, Coutinho is more comfortable coming inside to the central attacking areas. Without this wide threat, they are too reliant on someone, probably Messi, to produce a moment of magic or eye of the needle precise passages of play involving the attackers.

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This could all be undone, though, if Ernesto Valverde hasn’t found a way to reduce the massive gaps that appear in wide areas when Barcelona are transitioning defensively or at least found a way to reduce the opposition’s ability to take advantage of this space.