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Barcelona need a sound defensive strategy to counter Roma attack

By Chiranjib Ghosh

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 11: Cengiz Under of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the serie A match between AS Roma and Benevento Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 11, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 11: Cengiz Under of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the serie A match between AS Roma and Benevento Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 11, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona’s defence has held its own till now

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 04: Gerard Pique of Barcelona greets the fans during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on March 4, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 04: Gerard Pique of Barcelona greets the fans during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on March 4, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Barcelona have a world-class attack with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Ousmane Dembélé, while having a proper defence led by Gerard Piqué. The side has scored 85 goals in the La Liga and the Champions League this season, conceding just 16 goals.

This is a good record, considering that the team has faced tough opponents like Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea. But they met those sides when they going through a rough patch. But Roma is a club in form and on the rise.

Cengiz Ünder and Stephan El Shaarawy are wrecking havoc down the wings, scoring and assisting in equal measure. Down the middle, Edin Džeko seems to get better with age, towering above any defence. The trio have a total of 30 goals and 11 assists between themselves, with Diego Perotti contributing with 10 goals and 3 assists.

Džeko can be handled the way Olivier Giroud was handled by Gerard Piqué and Samuel Umtiti. The Bosnian does not have much pace, and can be quietened with the help of the offside trap. But the defence needs to be very careful during set-pieces, because of his height.

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But the biggest challenge will be for Sergi Roberto down the right. Both Diego Perotti and Stephan El Shaarawy pose a big threat, and any of them may might start the game. Roberto will be very fatigued due to the injury to Nélson Semedo, and dealing with that kind of pace requires a lot of stamina.

Hence, the involvement of Aleix Vidal at right-back is a prerequisite for a convincing performance against Roma. But Jordi Alba is unlikely to have any problems against Cengiz Ünder, even though the Turkish winger is in red-hot form.

Alba gave a solid performance to limit Willian’s influence in the second leg of the Round of 16 tie against Chelsea at the Camp Nou. He has also done well to stop the likes of Juan Cuadrado and Gareth Bale.

Ernesto Valverde stop employ a high defensive line and use Sergio Busquets as an out-and-out defensive midfielder to drop in behind. The coach cannot utilise Alba and Roberto as limited full-backs without reducing the potency of the attack.

Next: Dembélé needs to step it up

Hence, the only option would be to reduce the number of cut-ins and keeping Džeko quiet with the help of the tall Busquets, with Piqué and Umtiti marking the midfielders, including the dangerous Radja Nainggolan.