Barcelona’s style could be undergoing another evolution under Valverde.
The use of the 4-4-2 formation hasn’t been popular this season due to it opposing the traditional 4-3-3. However, it has worked brilliant for most of the season by making up for the lack of a deep-lying playmaker. Xavi’s departure in 2015 left a big hole in the team which has never been properly replaced, but this system has been the best solution.
Barcelona are much better at absorbing pressure while also being able to control possession and territory through the additional midfielder. The decision to utilise this system took root after the Spanish Super Cup humiliation against Real Madrid. They were pulled apart through quick transitions in the first leg, which prompted Valverde to shift from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2. This was unnatural for Barca and left plenty of spaces for Los Blancos to exploit.
The Catalans needed to deal with the departure of Neymar properly and the Super Cup matches showed that those two formations weren’t a good fit at that time. They needed a solution and the 4-4-2 provided it because the team could still play in their usual style while also limiting some of their traditional weaknesses.
The 4-4-2 could be coming to the end of its usefulness, though. Losing 3-0 to Roma highlighted the issues with that set-up for Barca in the worst way possible. The team has reasserted its dominance domestically this season, but improvements can be made. The 4-4-2 just won’t cut it if they want to win in Europe while holding on to their philosophy, and there is clearly a desire to move back to the traditional systems, that brought so much success, among the fans and inside the club.
The Remaining Games
Valverde used a 4-3-3 set-up in the games against Deportivo and Villarreal. Although they reverted back to the usual system for El Clasico due to the calibre of the opponent. It’s no coincidence that Ousmane Dembele started both games in the altered set-up. His creativity and wide threat is better suited to being a winger rather than a wide midfielder. The lack of defensive ability from him takes the advantages away from the 4-4-2 system while also limiting his influence.
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His stunning performance against Villarreal was vindication for using this set-up and starting him. Therefore, the French winger is likely to play in the two remaining games against Levante and Real Sociedad. The only issue is where Luis Suarez fits into this. Dembele, Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho were the front three against El Submarino Amarillo. The varied skillsets worked well together and helped maintain the balance in the team. Suarez coming in forces someone to play out of position unless Messi is rested.
The Uruguayan could be sacrificed for the remaining games in order to give Dembele a consistent run of games and allow him to build up a strong understanding with the others. These games could serve as preparation for next season as Valverde aims to build on what he has achieved. The high expectations mean that winning the Champions League is a must next season as well as a more aesthetically pleasing style.
Next: Barcelona vs Villarreal: 3 things we learned
Next Season
There will be a major selection headache for Valverde next season. Coutinho still hasn’t fully adapted to Andres Iniesta’s role while Barca have Denis Suarez and Carles Alena waiting in the wings. Dembele needs to be fitted in and there’s Messi, of course, as well as a declining Suarez. There is also Arthur who is the next great hope for Barcelona’s midfield.
Valverde will have a plethora of attacking options to choose from next season, but keeping the team balanced will be key. The Villarreal match showed the strengths and weaknesses of the 4-3-3 formation. It enhances Barcelona’s attacking threat, but makes the midfield more exploitable in the defensive shape as well as the transition from the attacking shape even with counter-pressing.
Summer signings such as Arthur and Antoine Griezmann would work well in a 4-3-3. However, they will come in at the expense of regular starters with Ivan Rakitic and Suarez being the most likely. The 31-year-old striker could even end up leaving the club to make way for Griezmann.
Valverde’s use of the system in recent matches suggests that these are the start of his plans for next season. Unless he finds another innovative solution, 4-3-3 with the ability to smoothly progress the ball up to the forward players through control over possession as well as the manipulation of space and an effective use of counter-pressing should be the way forwards.