Comments on: Is Sir Alex’s tactical change based on lessons learned from CL Final ?

By: Herman Ng

Herman Ng — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:44:37 +0000

The only weakness in Barca is obviously their high line! It is a wonder no one manages to exploit it, but it is mostly down to the intense pressing Barca use against opponents, denying them time and space. Best example is Pato vs Barca. Simple and efficient.

By: Wednesday Whiff – Analysis, the fixture list, defensive value signings, Adebayor, Torres, Aguero, injuries, and weekly whiffs

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:00:05 +0000

[...] Mahesh Balas believes United’s recent success is partly thanks to their new style of play, based on lessons learned from the Barcelona losses. Amazingly, Ferguson is not fully satisfied with United’s [...]

By: Mahesh

Mahesh — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:16:22 +0000

Being a big Barca fan, I agree that 9 out of 10 times, Barca will win against ManU. I am sure Sir Alex realizes that as well. But the most effective and probably the best way to defeat this Barca is what I had in mind and tried to explain in here, and I think thats how Fergie is grooming his current team to be.
You get just one chance in the European stage and you better use the strategy with the highest probability to beat Barca. Barca’s weakness has been the flanks and aerial threat in front of the goal. RM got their Kings cup victory this way, ACM got their draw at Camp Nou this way and that’s the only thorn or weakness I can spot in this Barca team.

By: Varun

Varun — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:09:55 +0000

Nice article.
Though some points.

“or any of the greats that have graced European Football, and all have fallen victim to the Wiley Scot’s Red Devils.”

4 European Cup Finals in 26 years,
“All” is hardly the apt word, Yes for the BPL though.

“this United team was considered one of the weakest in their recent past”
Undefeated till February, and on for a quadruple (triple for sure) at one time,
hardly the weakest, considering how strong those very same people consider the Premier League to be.

Now for the para about Barca getting beat.

That Hercules game i remember clearly, its the worst Home defeat of Pep’s time.
It was not Hercules that were that good, it was Barca that were abysmal, not bad but abysmal, they could not pass 5 yards passes for much of the duration of the game,
That game can’t be used in any sort of example.
Rubin game was highlighted by that immense 35 yard super strike, and a lapse in concentration at an early UCL stage match.

Inter game is the only one in which an inferior setup defeated a overtly motivated Barca, even Copa Final doesn’t compare to that.

Barca are not vulnerable on set-pieces, its a myth, 3 goals from 137 corners last season in Liga.
Also they were the only team to not concede in the 1st 15 min all season in League last season.
Though they do concede on counters.

They looked nervous against Espanyol last year as well but still won 5-0 which flattered them honestly, the way Espanyol played “can” be used an an example or model.

About Alves against Young, its not a given Alves will be pinned, only in later matches against RM last season did he tone down his attacking instincts, otherwise, it doesn’t matter who’s he up against, Pep will push him even higher if he’s up against a very attacking winger.
Abidal is defensive, yes.

About Barca’s back line, its been shown they can cope against ManU,
besides all the show is in the midfield, its where the game is when you play Barca, you relinquish it (from a defensive or a attacking pov.) you’re dead.

Totally agree with you on experience,
At the moment ManU is very top heavy, midfield won’t be able to compete with Barca, and back-line is shaky as evident by the number of chances they have provided to other teams,
Barca are a highly clinical team, they don’t need 20 chances to get 1 goal in big matches as shown over an over again (RM super cup for one)

In the end fact remains, IF this current Barca wants to win badly,
You cant win, it seems an arrogant viewpoint but its borne of fact and having watched this team in 99% of its matches.

By: Herman Ng

Herman Ng — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:31:02 +0000

Also, it seems that the front four works similarly to the 2008 Manchester United – when they beat Barca. They are well oiled and frequently change positions and points of attack.

By: Herman Ng

Herman Ng — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:29:33 +0000

That’s how you attack Barca, but how do you defend against Messi dropping deep? When he drops deep, if you play a high line, Messi and Xavi can play balls in behind to the speedy Alves, Pedro, Villa or Sanchez. But when you play deep, it gives Messi the chance to run at you.

The key point is that when you play Barca you inevitably need to concede possession. With most of the game played without the ball, you need to be very intelligent to pick up the various threats Barca offer, and they lack a true anchor who can do that.