How Barcelona are facing a defensive crises (Part 3)
At such a young age, Fontas performed well against Rubin Kazan during the group stages of the UEFA Champions League; however, now is not the time to give away such an important role to such an inexperienced defender. With all these options running out, Sergio
Busquets and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071 are the best option available for Josep Guardiola.
This season Barcelona are not the same defensively. With even a single centre back missing out, Catalan Giants feel miserable at the back. Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique acted like a wall and with Puyol out, it was relatively easier to score goals against
Barcelona. During the El Clasico that took place last season, it was Puyol who singlehandedly took care of the threat known as Cristiano Ronaldo. On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique easily avoided Angel Di Maria.
With Puyol out, the Frenchman Eric Abidal tried to help the Spanish Champions. Even though Eric Abidal did wonders in the centre back role, he was seriously missed in the left back position where Adriano filled the gap. The former Sevilla full back simply
could not get the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 done as good as Eric Abidal. Even though he had the pace and the stamina to run down the left flank, it was simply impossible for him to tackle the players down like Abidal. The Frenchman was large enough to tackle the ball aerially and
always made it hard for the man he marked to get past him.
The best example that can be taken of Eric Abidal is the game against Real Madrid which the Spanish Champions won 5-0. The Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho played http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629 on the right flank just to take advantage of Eric Abidal. However, the Frenchman
made it hard for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ronaldo-c31734 to get past him and by combining with Carles Puyol it was simply impossible for the Portuguese captain to find the back of the net.
Adriano played for Barcelona as they faced Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League knock out stage last season. The Brazilian was chosen over the other Brazilian full back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adriano-c3773 gave out a phenomenal performance and made life miserable for Thomas
Rosicky who operated on the right flank for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429. The former Sevilla star also hit the post once while moving from the left flank to help his side find the back of the net.
Barcelona have a suitable replacement for almost all the players that they have. However, with Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Eric Abidal all out and injured, it is going to be difficult for the Catalan Giants to survive. Their last game against Real Sociedad
simply showed that they are vulnerable in the defence. The Spanish Champions drew the game 2-2 away from home and it was difficult for them to cope up with a second graded defence consisting of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048 and Andreu Fontas in the centre back positions.
Josep Guardiola is fond of playing a high back line and with quick defenders like Gerard Pique or even http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 are usually caught on the break. However, with an inexperienced centre back like Andreu Fontas playing
at the back, he simply shows that he does not have the same quick feet and the experience to hold a quick paced striker.
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