The Catalans will be aiming to finish the International Champions Cup strongly against AC Milan.
Barcelona play the final match of their pre-season tour of the United States as they go up against fellow European heavyweight AC Milan. In their last outing against Roma, the first-team stars played an excellent game, but they were replaced at half-time. Barcelona’s performance dipped dramatically after that and they ran out 4-2 losers.
Expect the same approach from Valverde tonight, but this is make or break time for a lot of the youngsters who have travelled if they hope to be involved in the coming season.
Midfield competition
In what may feel like a kick in the teeth for Rafinha, and many others, Barcelona announced last night that they have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich for the transfer of Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal.
Battle hardened with an excellent passing range and a never give up attitude, Vidal will bring something different and much-needed to this Barcelona midfield. He will limit the opportunities given to the likes of Rafinha and Denis Suárez, though, who are six and seven years younger than the new signing respectively.
Thinking back to the Champions League second leg against Roma, Vidal would have been the ideal player to bring on when one or even two nil down to break down the opposition attacks and offer physicality from set pieces. However, the younger and more promising players in the squad may not appreciate a 31-year-old taking their place in the first team, especially when you look at Rafinha’s scintillating pre-season form.
Left-back slot still available
In the wake of Lucas Digne’s departure to Everton, Valverde doesn’t seem keen on buying a replacement. Instead, he has called upon La Masia graduates Juan Miranda and Marc Cucurella, with the back-up left-back spot likely going to the one who impresses the coach the most.
In the first game opposite Tottenham Hotspur, Miranda was unquestionably the star man. He was eager to bomb forward, looked strong in the tackle and displayed his wonderful passing ability, playing a beautiful diagonal to Rafinha that ultimately lead to the second goal. When Valverde rang in changes at half-time, Cucurella was given his opportunity.
While he too looked to get forward and made good use of the ball, it is the defensive capabilities that separates the two players. Cucurella was nowhere to be seen when Spurs scored their two quickfire goals, while Miranda seemed just as comfortable assisting the defence as the attack. Something sure to impress the coach who set up a more rigid Barcelona last season and took pride in the defensive record.
However, all of the work Miranda done against Spurs was undone against Roma as Barcelona capsized in the last 13 minutes and conceded three goals. Who gets the first team spot and who goes back down to the B team for this season likely dwells on this match.
Is Alcácer’s time up?
Following a slight knock, many expected to see Paco Alcácer appear against Roma. However, Valverde kept him on the bench, only replacing Munir with Abel Ruiz for the second half. If he does not feature tonight against Milan, his time at Barcelona is surely drawing to a close.
While he does deliver when given a chance, he simply does not suit the style of play. He does not move around or link play in the same was as Munir, preferring instead to remain solely in the final third, like every good goal poacher does.
Last season, when Valverde played a 4-4-2, Alcácer thrived as the could lead the line with Messi drifting off him. Messi frequently dropped deep to get involved in the play, allowing Paco to play further forward and play off the shoulder of the last defender.
However, with Valverde seemingly reverting to a 4-4-3, Alcácer will find chances limited as Munir will act as an understudy to Luis Suárez.
A recent report has emerged linking him with a two-year loan to English club Watford, with an option to buy. This deal suits all parties as Alcácer will get much-needed game time, Watford will gain a quality number nine and Barcelona may recoup some of the money they spent on him two summers ago.