Everything Barca
Fansided

3 things we learned: FC Barcelona vs Málaga CF 2017/18 La Liga

By Benjamin Barkworth

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: Players of FC Barcelona and Malaga CF observe a minute of silence before the La Liga match between Barcelona and Malaga at Camp Nou on October 21, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: Players of FC Barcelona and Malaga CF observe a minute of silence before the La Liga match between Barcelona and Malaga at Camp Nou on October 21, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images.
Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images. /

Iniesta stars

Andrés Iniesta is a key part of Valverde’s system with this match being another example. The ability to keep pressure on the opposition through retaining possession in the final third means that Barcelona have more control in matches. Due to this, the midfield can progress up the pitch slowly because they aren’t reliant on quick transitions. The team is also able to counter-press the opposition effectively when they lose possession.

These are both key elements of Barcelona’s style because it reduces the workload of the team. This is important for players such as Iniesta because it brings the best out of him and limits the physical toll on his body. In the long run, this could be pivotal because keeping Iniesta injury-free will help Barcelona’s season significantly.

Against Málaga, the majority of Barcelona’s play went down the left side with Iniesta being the key connection with Lionel Messi. In the final third, all the play goes through Messi as he acts as the chief creator as well as the main finisher. Therefore, having a strong spine to the team allows clear progression up the pitch which ensures Messi is getting service. Without this, Barcelona would be a weaker attacking force. Although, Messi does drop deep when the Catalans are struggling.

The ease of which Barcelona controlled proceedings allowed Iniesta to focus on his creative play. This meant he was able to link up with Messi and unlock the opposition. He was even able to grab a rare goal to complement an impressive performance. Usually, he is the one assisting or providing the pass before the assist. However, just focusing on his direct contributions to goals would be ignoring his importance as well as his general artistry which helps make Barcelona’s style so aesthetically pleasing.