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[THREAD] Santos vs FC Barcelona in 2011 - A lesson in Positional Play:
![[THREAD] Santos vs FC Barcelona in 2011 - A lesson in Positional Play:](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErjJMPZXcAQPidz.jpg "[THREAD] Santos vs FC Barcelona in 2011 - A lesson in Positional Play:")
Guardiola started an 11 that included zero âforwardsâ.
His structure facilitated a thorough domination of the phase space, which led to authority in the match.
The first sub-space in the phase space is âThe Area of Mutual Helpâ - the area around the position of the ball.
His structure facilitated a thorough domination of the phase space, which led to authority in the match.
The first sub-space in the phase space is âThe Area of Mutual Helpâ - the area around the position of the ball.
The second sub-space in the phase space, known as The Area of Cooperation, was also brutal.
The Area of Cooperation is heavily reliant on the teamâs structure - which should be designed by the trainer to optimize the abilities that his players contains.
Pep did just that.
The Area of Cooperation is heavily reliant on the teamâs structure - which should be designed by the trainer to optimize the abilities that his players contains.
Pep did just that.
The domination of each sub-space means a domination of the phase space, which forces the oppositionâs players to vacate spaces that are occupied by a Barcelona player - creating indefensible moments.
This grants an authority on the match that provides many paths for progression:
This grants an authority on the match that provides many paths for progression:
Santos defended in a 4-4-2 midblock.
To create superiority against Santosâ first line, Pep elected a 3+1 (Puyol, Pique, Abidal; Busquets).
This 3+1 achieved superiority at different heights to progress past Santosâ first line.
To create superiority against Santosâ first line, Pep elected a 3+1 (Puyol, Pique, Abidal; Busquets).
This 3+1 achieved superiority at different heights to progress past Santosâ first line.
Santosâ 4-4-2 morphed into a 4-3-1-2 as a midfielder jumped to Busquets.
This meant the indefensible space of Santos was on the sides of their midfield three.
The question became, How do we occupy spaces to:
1) Enlarge the indefensible space
2) Occupy the indefensible space
This meant the indefensible space of Santos was on the sides of their midfield three.
The question became, How do we occupy spaces to:
1) Enlarge the indefensible space
2) Occupy the indefensible space
1) Xavi consistently dropped alongside Busquets.
This maximized the space that is conceded by Santosâ defensive shape as well as created superiority against Santosâ second line (contained one player) of pressure.
This maximized the space that is conceded by Santosâ defensive shape as well as created superiority against Santosâ second line (contained one player) of pressure.
2) Because of the width provided by Thiago and Alves, Messi or Fabergas were able to fill the vacated space.
(Continued
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(Continued
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The other of Messi/Cesc occupied the spaces off the backs of the midfield three of Santos, creating conditions that would see Santos punished if they were to expand.
(Continued)
Once the indefensible space was exploited, Santosâ midfield shifted to close the space.
This meant the indefensible space is now on the opposite side of the pitch.
Barcelona created 2v1s on the opposite side to ensure exploitation of the indefensible space.
This meant the indefensible space is now on the opposite side of the pitch.
Barcelona created 2v1s on the opposite side to ensure exploitation of the indefensible space.
âAttack one side to finish on the other.â
