soccerteamtactics.com match analysis: pari saint germain - barcelona
TRANSCRIPT
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Match analysis: PSG - Barcelona
Positive transition and individual quality were crucial
By Athanasios Terzis
PSG progressed against Chelsea with an outstanding performance, but had
to face Barcelona having many top players unavailable. On the other hand
Barcelona had all players available but on Saturday they lost a two goal lead
against Sevilla and a four point lead (they now have two) against Real Madrid.
Barcelona managed to achieve an outstanding score against PSG without
performing accordingly and unless a miracle takes place they will be in the
draw for the semifinals of the Champions League.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
1st Half: Positive transition for Barca gave them the lead
PSG: PGG started with a lopsided 4-3-3. Cavani was in the centre of attack
while Pastore took up a position on the left and in a more advanced position
than Lavezzi on the right. The last one was responsible for tracking Jordi
Alba’s forward runs (who was more attacking minded than Montoya on the
right) and was rather a side midfielder than a winger. During the defensive
phase PSG switched from 4-3-3 to 4-5-1 as Pastore followed many times
Montoya. However there were times that he stayed in advanced position
ready to take advantage of the available space behind the fullback of
Barcelona. Pastore’s positioning didn’t have the aim of forcing Barcelona’s
play towards the other side (left) but to exploit the available space behind
Barcelona’s fullback as well as to create an overload on the left of PSG. This
conclusion was made due to the fact that during the first half Pastore and
Lavezzi switched sides, however they maintained the same tactical approach
(Lavezzi followed Montoya and Pastore stayed higher leaving Rabiot to close
down Alba). The three midfielders Campaye, Matuidi and Rabiot together with
Lavezzi who helped them on the right, formed a team of four (sometimes five
with Pastore’s contribution) that tried to retain cohesion (small distances
between the players) in order to narrow the available passing lanes towards
Barca players placed between the lines. Matuidi a very physically strong and
quick player was placed on the left in order to double mark Messi together
with Maxwell when the Argentine was positioned near the side line on the
right. Cabaye at the same time was close enough to make it impossible for
Messi to drive the ball towards the inside and pass or take a shot on goal just
like the goal against Sevilla.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
The same tactical approach stood for the players on the right against Neymar,
as Rabiot tried to provide support to V.D. Wiel and prevent the Brazilian from
making driving runs towards the inside. As regards dealing with Messi, when
the last one was in possession in the centre, the closest to him midfielder tried
to put pressure on him and especially on his left foot, while the others
provided cover.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
When Messi moved in front of the midfielders of PSG without being in
possession, the closest to him midfielder (mainly Matuidi or Campaye) had to
shorten his distance from him, especially when Messi was placed in an
available passing lane. This was done in order to prevent him from receiving
and turning towards PSG’s goal. Finally when the Argentine was between the
lines (between midfielders and defenders) PSG’s midfielders tried to be aware
of his positioning and put him in their shadows in order to prevent him from
receiving.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
PSG waited for Barcelona to come within their defensive half or third. They
tried to retain always a compact formation to restrict space for Barca players
who struggled to retain possession when they tried to use their passing game
within limited spaces. As regards the attacking phase Blanc’s team switched
to a normal 4-3-3 as Pastore converged towards the inside and Lavezzi
moved forward and towards the inside to create space for V.D. Wiel. It was
obvious that they were searching for an opportunity to threaten Barca during
direct positive transition. If this wasn’t possible their aim was to take
advantage of the indirect positive transition by moving the fullbacks in
advanced positions (mainly Maxwell) and take advantage of Messi’s lack of
contribution during defending. PSG created 2 or 3 times a 3 v 3 situation
during the counter, but failed to make the appropriate decision. As regards
attacking during indirect positive transition, Blanc’s team tried to take
advantage of the overload created by Pastore, Maxwell and Matuidi on the
left. The ball was directed to Maxwell several times and as Montoya moved
forward to close him down, Matuidi found the available space behind him to
exploit, receive and make a cross. At the same time at least three PSG
players entered the box (Pastore, Kavani and Lavezzi).
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Barcelona: Barca started with 4-3-3. Mascherano (in place of Mathieu) was
the only player that didn’t start the match against Sevilla. (Link:
http://soccerteamtactics.com/index.php/match-nalysis/european-leagues/252-
2015-04-13-15-13-53). Enrique’s tactical approach was more conservative as
the one against Sevilla, as not all three forwards stayed high. Neymar on the
left tracked V.D. Wiel, Suarez was between the two central defenders T. Silva
and Marquinhos, while Messi many times left Maxwell unmarked and moved
towards the centre to make it 2 v 2.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Barcelona didn’t put a lot of effort in applying pressing, as the attacking
midfielders Iniesta and Rakitic avoided to move in very advanced positions to
close down Campaye, who was usually free of marking. Instead they left
Suarez to deal with him by trying to put him in his shadow. To deal with
Maxwell’s forward runs Enrique instructed Montoya to move forward and
close him down, but this stretched the defence of Barcelona as Busquets
didn’t have the appropriate synchronization to drop back and fill the gap as he
did against Sevilla and as he usually does. As regards the attacking phase
Barcelona tried to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. However they
couldn’t be creative through the centre as PSG players restricted the spaces
despite Messi’s frequent positioning in midfield. On the right Montoya didn’t
seem very comfortable when moving forward, so Barca had to take advantage
their left side and they did it as Iniesta, Alba and Neymar used combination
play and took advantage of the available space. From an attacking move on
this side came Messi’s shot on the post.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
As time went by, both teams tried to threaten through their left sides.
Barcelona with combination play involving Iniesta, Alba and Neymar while
PSG with the forward runs of Matuidi between the gaps created by Montoya’s
shifting away from his zone of responsibility. Barcelona managed to find PSG
unbalanced during positive transition, after regaining possession on the left by
Busquets while at the same time Marquinhos had moved forward and
Campaye had stayed back to retain balance. Busquets passed to Rakitic and
V.D. Wiel decided to move forward and put him under pressure, leaving
Neymar free of marking behind his back. This reaction unbalanced PSG as
when Messi received the pass from Rakitic a 3 v 2 situation was created.
Messi passed at the right time to Neymar and the last one didn’t miss the
chance.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Then PSG tried to press higher but without putting much energy, so Barca
broke through them easily and moved the ball forward. Blanc switched sides
to Pastore and Lavezzi but the two players worked as they did before. Lavezzi
tracked Montoya when the last one moved forward and Pastore left Rabiot to
deal with Alba. This was an opportunity for Barca to take advantage of the
situation as the left was their stronger side, but they failed to do it and nothing
changed until the half time whistle.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
2nd Half: Individual quality of Suarez gave Barca a safety score
As soon as the second half started PSG searched with more intense the
equalizer, but without changing something tactically. Blanc took a risk in a
couple of cases as both fullbacks moved forward at the same time. The only
threat for Barca came with the shots outside the box, while both teams
continue to attack better on their left. PSG coach made their team more
attacking minded by switching Rabiot with Lucas (an attacking minded player)
while at the same time he switched to 4-4-2. Pastore took a position near
Cavani and Lavezzi moved on the left (Lucas was on the right).
However the team that managed to score the second goal was Barcelona.
This was achieved after an excellent individual action by Suarez on the left,
during which he left behind him three PSG players (David Luiz, Marquinhos
and Maxwell). PSG had to play their last card, so they pressed high by
moving close to Barcelona players while Matuidi shifted close to Mascherano
(who in the meantime was moved to a defensive midfielder’s position) and
Campaye stayed between Xavi and Busquets.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Barcelona’s third was scored by Suarez after a combination play in the centre
which involved him and Mascherano. This goal gave Barcelona an extra
boost. The Catalans were far more comfortable during possession, even in
very tight spaces, during the last stages of the game and moved the ball with
ease among the disappointed PSG players, despite Mathieu’s own goal.
© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Conclusion: Barcelona managed to take advantage of the positive transition
in order to score the opening goal, at a moment that the match seemed
balanced despite Barca’s domination in possession. Then the individual
quality of Suarez and the bad reaction of David Luiz in two duels against the
Uruguayan enabled the Catalan team to achieve a stunning score without
performing in a stunning way. PSG were probably affected by the many top
players who were unavailable, such as Ibrahimovic, Verati and they lost T.
Silva early in the first half. So they are travelling to Barcelona having only very
few chances to progress.