Josep Guardiola should opt for a 3-5-1-1 formation against Real Madrid (Part 2)
The question pops up in everyone’s mind as how Guardiola can set up the perfect 3-5-1-1 formation against a quick paced Real Madrid side?
Currently, the best players in Madrid are undoubtedly http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629 and Mesut Ozil. Thes two players need to be stopped in order to take good control of the game.
There is no doubt that Barcelona currently have the experience in the midfield which is required to outplay these two players. However, with a three man defence, there must be players to mark these two Real Madrid stars who run the show on the pitch.
While playing in a 4-3-3 formation, Guardiola gave Puyol the role of marking Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star finds it hard to get past the Spanish centre back as Puyol’s experience and pace are enough to keep Ronaldo busy. On the other hand, Eric
Abidal took control of Angel Di Maria while Busquets took care of the threat being provided by Ozil.
However, in a 3-5-1-1 formation, Josep Guardiola will have to play two holding midfielders who will take charge of marking Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil.
While Victor Valdes will stay between the two posts, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604. However, if the Portuguese
winger switches his position to right wing, Puyol will have to switch his position to left centre back.
The five man midfield will consist of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071, Andres Iniesta and Daniel Alves. How will the midfield work? It is quite simple.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-c9879 Alves will play as a right midfield player but he will be marking Cristiano Ronaldo on that wing. The left midfield player would be Sergio Busquets. The Spaniard will be playing in a withdrawn role where he will be given the role of marking Angel
Di Maria who is being a threat to every Madrid opposition. Mascherano can play as a holding midfielder where he is given the role of charging down Mesut Ozil in order to intercept all his passes.
The reason why Mascherano should be chosen over Busquets is because Mascherano can tackle hard and his tackles can, if not win the ball then, at least intercept the ball being played.
Xavi Hernandez can be given the role of being a right centre midfielder while Andres Iniesta can play as a left centre midfielder. They will operate in the same manner as they operate while playing in a 4-3-3 formation.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629. Therefore, this formation can also be called a 3-3-2-1-1 formation. It will have three defenders, three holding midfielders, two centre midfielders, an attacking midfielder and a sole striker.
The way the Catalans play as a unit, this formation will not be too defensive against Madrid. Guardiola will need those three holding midfielders because he has to keep a check on Madrid’s quick paced counter attacks.
This can work out as the perfect game plan for the Spanish Champions. However, Guardiola is currently one of the best tacticians in the world. There is a reason why he has never lost a single game against Madrid in the league. Can Guardiola make it five
in a row? Let’s wait and find out.
Views expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policies of http://www.bettor.com
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