What if Barça played a…Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of a series titled “What if Barça played a…”. Basically, we’ll look at how Barcelona would line up in different formations. Last time, it was a 4-4-2. This time, we will experiment with a 4-2-3-1

Let’s say Barcelona were to defect from their standard 4-3-3, and switched to a 4-2-3-1. Who would be in their lineup? Let’s take a look.

A 4-2-3-1 is perhaps the most common formation used in soccer. You see an abundance of teams using this formation in the Premier League. Due to its simple nature, many managers favor it over more complex systems.

Strengths

This formation features two defensive midfielders stationed in front of the back four. This adds defensive stability and gives more freedom for players to get forward. But it especially benefits the player in the Number 10 role, as he is free to roam around and not have to worry about defensive duties.

With two wide midfielders, as well as two attacking fullbacks, this formation allows for wide play that will stretch the opposition’s back four. When there is a 2 v 1 against the fullback, the opposition will have to send a midfielder over to provide some help. This will only create more space in the midfield for the No. 10 as well one of the defensive midfielders, should they choose to get forward.

Weaknesses

In order to play effectively and efficiently in a 4-2-3-1, discipline is greatly needed. If your two wingers don’t track back in defend, you run the risk of being overrun in the midfield. Why is this the case? Everything in a 4-2-3-1 revolves around that attacking midfielder, or Number 10. He’s the main creator in attack and must use his energy to create scoring chances. He isn’t to going to expand a ton of energy trying to defend. There’s other facets of the game he needs to control.

So with his, and the striker’s, limited defensive responsibilities, more defensive responsibility is placed upon the wingers. If they aren’t willing to defend, then everything becomes a complete disaster. You’ll be left with just two players to defend the midfield. If that happens, you can forget about dictating the match.

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How would Barça line up?

Ter Stegen

Roberto   Pique   Umtiti   Alba

Mascherano   Busquets

Denis   Messi   Neymar

Suárez

Here’s the thing about the wingers in a 4-2-3-1: they’re traditional wingers, not inverted ones. Traditional wingers usually stay outside when attacking. Inverted ones tend to start on the wing but end up cutting inside. Someone like Cristiano Ronaldo or Eden Hazard.

Barcelona have very few traditional wingers. They have one in Aleix Vidal, but I doubt he’ll ever be in the first team XI.

On the right side, expect to see Denis Suárez or Rafinha. They’re not ideal wingers, but they’ll be more than sufficient. Neymar will be on the left side. It’ll be very important for him to show defensive discipline. If the right-winger is caught high up on the pitch, Neymar will be responsible to track back and defend.

Since a 4-2-3-1 usually had two defensive midfielders, that’s why I’ve gone with Mascherano and Busquets. But they don’t always have to be two defensive midfielders. Sometimes, teams will have one of the midfielders sit back, allowing the other one to get forward and join the attack. if that’s how Barcelona decides to play, then we could see combinations of Busquets/Iniesta, Busquets/Rakitic, Mascherano/Iniesta, or Mascherano/Rakitic.