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For the majority of this season, Puig was cast aside by both sets of Barça managers. Ernesto Valverde seemed to have ignored him entirely while Setién had restricted him to a mere 94 minutes of play.
Things didn't look good.
Things didn't look good.
With the COVID-19 break and the subsequent resumption of football, however, things have a taken a dramatic turn.
Puig seems to have made his way back into Setién's plans and has played 486 minutes out of a possible 990, with 5 starts.
Puig seems to have made his way back into Setién's plans and has played 486 minutes out of a possible 990, with 5 starts.
The addition of Riqui has somewhat galvanized a relatively flat midfield. For weeks, Setién's midfielders were struggling with space occupation between the lines. They were either far too advanced (i.e Vidal) or operating from behind the run of play.
Puig's occupation of central and wider channels has come within the lines and has allowed Barça to progress vertically and make wide switches easier.
This, coupled with Puig's close control and spatial awareness, has allowed Barça to better preserve shape.
This, coupled with Puig's close control and spatial awareness, has allowed Barça to better preserve shape.
A great example was the 2-2 draw against Atlético. Here, Riqui continued to receive the ball in wide spaces on the left, which allowed Rakitić to slot into the defensive line, and allowed Barça to more easily build in the signature Setién 3-2-5.
Out of possession, Setién has used Puig's frantic movement to establish numerical superiority, especially while counterpressing.
Because Puig can cover ground relatively quickly, this comes with minimal risk.
Because Puig can cover ground relatively quickly, this comes with minimal risk.
Consequently, his pressing numbers have been exceptional, even after accounting for the limited sample size. Puig has averaged 26.3 pressures per game, with 5.61 regains.
His deployment alongside the more "brutish" Arturo Vidal has allowed Barça to crowd players out.
His deployment alongside the more "brutish" Arturo Vidal has allowed Barça to crowd players out.
Riqui's standout game this season was probably the 5-0 battering of Alaves, Barça's ultimate game of the season.
Puig was everywhere. He was constantly moving and receiving in favourable areas, with a focus on vertical progression.
Puig was everywhere. He was constantly moving and receiving in favourable areas, with a focus on vertical progression.
As a result, he finished the game with 78 touches, 4 key passes, 8 passes into the final third and 2 assists.
It was a performance that highlighted the growing necessity of his skillset to an ageing Barça side. They need an agile '8' more than ever.
It was a performance that highlighted the growing necessity of his skillset to an ageing Barça side. They need an agile '8' more than ever.
The fact that Puig has looked impressive in nearly every first team outing is reassuring for culés. He's nearly 21 and the window for first team integration has been slowly shortening.
It looks the time has finally arrived. Better late than never, as they say.
It looks the time has finally arrived. Better late than never, as they say.
