AC Milan vs. Barcelona – Comparing the two sides: Centre Backs
One of the key comparisons between Barcelona and Milan are their centre backs. Both the players have extraordinary centre backs but both the teams have different philosophies when it comes down to defending.
While Milan would sit back and let the team come at them, Barcelona would play a high back line in order to play an offside trap. Both these systems have their pros and cons. While Barcelona are simply vulnerable on the counter attacks, Milan’s philosophy
of sitting back might just get to them against a team like Barcelona who simply love to crack defences.
Barcelona’s back two consist of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol. On the other hand, the two centre backs for Milan are Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta. If both the centre backs are compared individually by the other team then Milan definitely have the edge
over Barcelona. However, the partnership between the centre backs in both the teams is simply extraordinary.
Thiago Silva and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 move a muscle throughout the first leg which took place at the Nou Camp. Messi found it hard to get past Silva and Nesta was troubling the Argentinean star time and time again even though he does
not have the pace which Messi possesses.
If we compare an experienced Carles Puyol and an experienced Alessandro Nesta, then it is quite safe to say that Nesta wins the battle. Nesta is an Italian legend - A player who has managed to perform alongside the legendary http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paulo-c29431 Maldini. They both formed
an extraordinary centre back partnership and now Thiago Silva and Nesta are trying to accomplish the same.
If we compare Gerard Pique with Thiago Silva then it is again safe to say that Thiago Silva is a far better defender than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique. While Pique dives and commits himself a bit too early and earns bookings, Thiago Silva waits for the player to come at
him, he reads the game and perfectly tries to tackle the ball whenever possible.
This strategy really helps Silva in not getting booked. The Brazilian centre back got booked only once throughout the last season and that is definitely an accomplishment for him.
The game is going to rely a lot on all four of these players. It is going to be about the perfect defensive strategy for Josep Guardiola while it is going to be about exploring Barcelona on the break for Massimiliano Allegri.
On the other hand, Milan are going to sit back and try to defend and stop Barcelona’s brilliant attack. The Catalans will try to break the Milan defence and also try to find the back of the net.
A few key battles in this case will include the battle between Messi, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331. If one of the four defenders perform less
than what is expected from them, the strikers might just take advantage and change the cause of the game – just like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexandre-Pato-c4901 was able to surprise Barcelona in the first few seconds of the game.
Comparing the two teams’ centre backs, Milan definitely have edge. However, the way Josep Guardiola arranges his defence is the key to winning the game. If Puyol and Pique are able to play the perfect offside trap, they might just help http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 to either
earn a draw or a win in order to top their group of the UEFA Champions League.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policies of
http://www.bettor.com
Tags: