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THREAD: Xavi as Barça coach. @AlexDelmas10 made a thread explaining Xavi’s tactics at Al-Sadd. First I will try to translate his central points, then give a hypothetical ex how Xavi would apply that tactic at Barça and with which players. Let’s try it out. https://twitter.com/alexdelmas10/status/1329489361323372549
First of all, the system. Xavi of course plays 433, but he has also used a curious 343 recently, which I'm gonna focus on, because it looks weirdly interesting at Barça. In this 343, either one of the CB's or FB's join the pivote in midfield. https://twitter.com/alexdelmas10/status/1329489374992506882?s=20
Just after the team has broken through the initial phase of play, the team morphs into the 343 with either the CB or FB joining in midfield. Wingers (always WIDE) and 9 (mostly around the box) stay the same. https://twitter.com/alexdelmas10/status/1329489407225847809?s=20
But the interiores are extremely important. Instead of going deep to meet the ball, they go up and stay between the opponent's midfield and defense. This is, as Delmas says, fundamental to Xavi's system. That means the two interiores become mediapuntas! https://twitter.com/alexdelmas10/status/1329489389173551111?s=20
Look how high up they are, almost next to the 9. Only once in a while one of them drop low and receives the ball, that player has to be very technically able. At Al-Sadd, this has been Cazorla, of course (see thread's next tweet). https://twitter.com/alexdelmas10/status/1329489413588594688?s=20
SO how would this work at Barça, and with which players??? Well, it's impossible to predict that Xavi is even going to try this out at Barça or which players he will use or even have available to use. But he are two examples of how Xavi's 433/343 transition could look like.
And here are two, admittedly controversial, guesses as to which players could occupy positions after the transition. Too many balls to juggle with for my tactically limited brain, but bear with me. Since Messi is neither the 9 Xavi uses or a wide winger, he becomes the right MP.
I prefer the 2nd version. Frenkie would start at LCB and move in MF. The question of FB are difficult because clearly I'd want Dest to start over Roberto but I don't know whether Xavi wanted to balance the defense more with defensive FBs. Prefer Mingueza over Roberto at RCB.
In that case, 3 signings would be absolutely necessary: Eric (certain), Alaba (to act as LB and LCB while also being a transitional MF option) and a 9, where the two star signings could be Aguero, who is free, or Haaland, who is only possible if we get a lot of money in.
But Riqui and Messi could be the two MP's, with Riqui being the one to drop deep, while Messi can stay up next to the striker. Again, it's purely hypothetical, but the fact that Xavi is willing to be tactically innovative in-game in is all enough for me to desperately want him.
Check out Delmas' entire video here:
If anyone knows where I can watch Al-Sadd's games, hit me up.
If anyone knows where I can watch Al-Sadd's games, hit me up.
An example of an attack with Xavi’s 433. Look at how high the interiors are placed, almost next to the striker, and notice that the danger is created on the wing from a wide position. https://twitter.com/bluegrenades/status/1336673537592004609
Here’s Al-Sadd’s first goal from the first game above against Al-Sailiya. In the 7th minute after like a handful of major chances before that. Santi Cazorla’s, brilliant assist, but also prime example of the wide winger. He’s literally standing on the line before making his run. https://twitter.com/nnnnavideos/status/1336702025560698884
On topic: if you want to meet Xavi’s “lack of experience” while at the same time getting a former successful assistant of a younger coach and the best link to Masia talent, Pimienta could be considered assistant coach. He can’t stay at B forever and deserves a first team job.
So many chances in the first half for Al-Sadd against Al-Sailiya. I don’t even know how to react to such a half when I only see Barça these days. Also a lot of space because obviously the level is not the highest. Good watch. https://twitter.com/nnnnavideos/status/1336709539635351556
Speaking of which, it doesn’t seem like Al-Sadd play any boring games, whether they lose or not. Look at their recent games and goal difference...
