Josep Guardiola should opt for a 3-5-1-1 formation against Real Madrid (Part 1)
Barcelona are often considered to be not only the best club in the world but in fact, the history of football. It all started when Josep Guardiola became the head coach of the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 team back in the 2008-2009 season.
The Catalan boss managed to win six trophies in a single season – something which has been accomplished by only one manager in the history of football. Guardiola then proved that his trophy-winning season was not actually “beginner’s luck.” He managed to
win more as his time at the Catalan club progressed and currently it is his third year in charge of the club.
In his first season, Guardiola helped Barcelona win the league as he was able to beat Madrid 2-6 at the Bernabeu. He then won all three points at the Nou Camp and easily won the trophy against Los Blancos.
Next season, Guardiola was challenged by Jose Mourinho’s men. Even though the Portuguese coach was expected to give him some competition, Guardiola played his cards perfectly and helped his side win the game 5-0 at home. That win was simply humiliating for
Los Blancos who later lost to Barcelona on a number of occasions and the Catalans were awarded with the league title and also the Champions League.
This season, however, things look to be different. Guardiola’s men are not in the best of their forms while Mourinho has managed to assemble one of the best teams in Europe.
Madrid are currently flying high and they are three points ahead of Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga, with a match in hand. With the El Clasico scheduled to take place on Saturday, Guardiola will have to imply the perfect tactics yet again, in order to take
advantage of this “must win” away fixture to Santiago Bernabeu.
Josep Guardiola’s favourite formation is 4-3-3. However, the Catalan coach believes in testing his players in different formations. Guardiola has played a three-man defence in which the team assembles in a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 formation.
While a 4-3-3 is a bit more balanced, a 3-4-3 formation helps Guardiola apply a little more attacking approach in the game.
Guardiola arranged his men in a 3-4-3 formation when they faced Villarreal earlier this season and it turned out to be a 5-0 riot against the Yellow Submarine.
While Barcelona are about to face Real Madrid, Guardiola would think of playing a 4-3-3 against Madrid. However, a three-man defence and a more attacking approach might help Guardiola take all three points at Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona are considered to be one of the most attack-minded footballing sides at the moment. They believe in playing the perfect ball to their team player and they are always looking to move the ball around until a goal scoring opportunity is made. Therefore,
in this scenario, it is quite obvious that Barcelona will be dominating possession at Bernabeu.
Since Guardiola’s men will be taking charge of possession and Mourinho will try to play counter-attacking football, Barcelona can always take advantage of fewer defenders in order to dominate the midfield.
In case Barcelona will dominate the midfield, it will be very hard for Mourinho to play counter attacking tactics. There will always be at least three players at the back while a holding midfield player will also be present to help the Catalans guard their
goal.
Views expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policies of
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