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The Tactical breakdown of Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona

By Sayantan Kumar

Barcelona's coach Ernesto Valverde reacts during the Champions League 2017/18 match between Sporting CP vs FC Barcelona, in Lisbon, on September 27, 2017. (Photo by Carlos Palma/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Barcelona's coach Ernesto Valverde reacts during the Champions League 2017/18 match between Sporting CP vs FC Barcelona, in Lisbon, on September 27, 2017. (Photo by Carlos Palma/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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The 4-3-3, 4-4-2, and even the 4-3-2-1 have been used so far. Here is a brief analysis of Ernesto Valverde’s tactical approach so far this season.

Ernesto Valverde’s tactical Barcelona is yet to be defeated so far this season. The former Athletic Bilbao boss has orchestrated  crafty tactics for the Catalan giants. The team is performing well in defense, midfield and attack. Players like Alba and Iniesta seem to have reinvented their lethal form again. Suarez is the player who is struggling to find his ground under new boss. In this article, we will look forward to the tactical approaches and system of Valverde.

The 4-4-2 and 4-4-3

Valverde has used a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 (false 9) so far in this season. He remains a poignant tactician. Despite going in as the underdog, the first UCL game between Barca and Juventus saw a masterful tactical game by Valverde. Messi played as a pure false 9 and was a nightmare for the Juventus defence. He was playing between the lines and it was almost impossible for Juventus defenders to follow him. In addition to that, Sergio Busquets dropped deep to form a three-man defensive line with Pique and Umtiti. Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri ordered his forwards to press Pique and Umtiti.

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However, Valverde was clever enough to instruct Busquets to drop deep and cut the pressure from the Juventus forwards. Since the signing of Matuidi, Allegri has played as link between defenders and forwards or attacking midfielders. Valverde analyzed it well and always had a man on Blaise to stop Juventus playing from a back to initiate an attack. Barca nullified almost every Juventus attack from open play. They played close and compact allowing Juventus to play from wings. The game ended in a 3-0 win for the Blaugrana.

We have seen Ernesto use 4-4-2 as well. This lineup is usually chosen to get something out of Suarez. Most of all, it has really been a pathetic display from the Uruguayan so far this season. He has failed to adapt to his new role of a cut in winger in 4-3-3 false 9 system.

Suarez has his natural ability to dodge defenders in the box and score goals. However, he rarely scores goals dribbling past 4-5 defenders, so he is dependent on others to create chances for him, More importantly he is more of a classic number 9. Suarez’s lack of scoring goals compels our boss to give him a strikers role beside Messi in a 4-4-2.

The 4-2-3-1

So far, Ernesto Valverde’s ideal lineup is a 4-2-3-1 and I am sure that he will play it when Ousmane Dembele returns from injury. Overall, it’s an ideal lineup because Suarez will also get his desired CF positions and Messi will play behind him between the lines as an Enganche. Paulinho was mainly signed by Ernesto so that Barca can play a double pivot in midfield.

The 4-2-3-1 system sees the use of double pivots. Iniesta will operate from his usual midfield position and Dembele as well. Suarez will preferably get his role high up. However we need to understand that Messi can still operate between the lines. With the present squad, this is the best lineup we can get. In addition to that, Suarez fits in the lineup as well.

Next: Sergi Roberto Yet To Sign

Overall, Ernesto Valverde has been spot on with his tactics so far this season. Of course, he will need to continue this trend going forward if Barca are to have a successful season. There will be more on the 4-2-3-1 in the next installment of Valverde’s tactics.