Barcelona versus Arsenal – Formational setup
As Barcelona travels to London on Wednesday night to take on Arsene Wenger’s team in a crucial first leg of their two legged Round-of-16 tie against the Gunners, all the pressure is on the Londoners to get a win on their home turf.
However, such a thing is easier said than done, especially when one’s team is lining up against Barcelona.
Arguably, the greatest club side ever, the present Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola is a formidable foe for any team in club football at the moment. Their cohesiveness and team spirit make them a neigh unconquerable fortress.
Last season, Barcelona played Arsenal at the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Champions League. In the first leg, Arsenal came back from a two goal deficit to draw the match in the end by a score line of 2-2.
In the second leg, riddled by injuries, Arsenal succumbed to Lionel Messi’s four goal haul as Barcelona won the match by 4-1.
All the talk in the English media has suggested that Arsenal have learned from their mistakes and experiences of yesteryear. Nonetheless, Barcelona will put this belief to test when they take the field at the Emirates Stadium in North London.
Arsenal are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Eboue taking up the right back spot as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-Song-c4804 is set to accompany the two creative
midfielders in a defensive role.
Up front, Wenger is expected to start http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 on the right wing with Van Persie as the central striker and Arshavin on the left hand side.
At the back, it is anticipated that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 and Djourou will start for the English club as the two center backs and Gale Clichy will take up his usual berth at the left full back spot.
In contrast, Barcelona plays a fluid version of the 4-3-3 setup.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique are Barcelona’s two central defenders whereas Daniel Alves and Eric Abidal play as the two full backs for the Catalan club side.
In midfield, the infamous Spanish trio of Andres Iniesta, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048 and Xavi Hernandez are set to take the field.
In attack, FIFA’s World Player of the Year http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 is scheduled to start on the left forward’s position whereas Villa and Pedro will start as the two center-right strikers for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Barcelona’s attacking traffic comes through their midfield area as Andres Iniesta and Xavi pull the strings in the middle of the park. If Arsenal is to have a chance of winning this encounter in question then they have to win the ball back earlier than they
did last year.
Last season, Arsenal paid too much respect to Barcelona and allowed the Spanish giants to pass the ball around.
This time, Wenger’s men will have to push up the field as a team. This will allow them to put pressure on Xavi and Iniesta in the midfield area and thus Alex Song and Co. might have a greater chance of dispossessing Pep Guardiola’s team.
Moreover, Djourou and Koscielny will have to be at their best if they are to deal with the threat of Lionel Messi and Villa. Both of Barcelona’s forwards have been raining goals this season and any misunderstanding between Arsenal’s two strong men at the
back can result in disastrous consequences for the Gunners.
From Barcelona’s point of view, the most important thing is that they utilize the ball well, which they usually do.
Last year, Guardiola’s team was wasteful with goal scoring opportunities that fell their way in the first leg. This time around, Barcelona cannot afford to be profligate in any sense of the word.
All and all, both the teams have a reputation for playing pure passing football. One can expect that strategy to prevail in the encounter. If it does, then fans are destined for a football extravaganza for the ages.
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