Breaking down the many tactical battles in the war between Barcelona and Juventus
The 90-minute final in Berlin is as much a psychological battle as it is a tactical one. Having your approach clear, basics perfect and tactics well-designed is a must, but having your spirits high and chucking away the pressure is equally necessary in order to better your opponents in a big game.
The pressure and responsibility are there, but being professionals, the players and coaches have it in them to tackle all the off-field elements. Both the teams are big achievers and would put up a strong fight for the championship but in the end one would have to accept defeat.
Let’s have a look at the possible game plan and strategies, the finalists are likely to implement at the Olympiastadion.
The Formation
As we have seen it in the entire season, the Spanish giants would play with their traditional 4-3-3 with a single pivot while the Bianconeri would assemble themselves in a traditional 4-4-2. Since, the Blaugrana squad is free from injuries; Luis Enrique will have the luxury of playing with Main XI.
While, the Italian side had to face a big setback as the leader of their defensive backline, Georgio Chiellini is ruled out of the final due to an injury. He is likely to be replaced by another Italian, Andrea Barzagli.
Probable line-ups
Barcelona: Marc Andre ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi.
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Evra; Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba, Vidal; Morata, Tevez.
How player roles will be distributed
The Barcelona side led by Luis Enrique, is a perfect balance of ‘role players’ and ‘individuals’ who are given a free role. But, it’s a Champions League and Enrique would presumably prefer playing in a disciplined manner rather than trying for something spectacular.
The forwards, Messi-Neymar-Suarez have the biggest responsibility on their shoulder as the entire formation is based on their movements.
The team would try to give the ball to Messi, who would then either cut in breaking the Le Zebre’s defense or make a diagonal pass to Jordi Alba or Neymar depending on the nature of the game.
Suarez would be endowed with the responsibility of drawing away defenders and making space for others, or time his runs smartly to destabilize the opposition’s defense.
On the right, Alves and Rakitic will be the role players giving freedom to Messi. They will cover the space, time their runs, press or move forward depending on the Argentine’s movement.
The trio on the left, Alba-Iniesta-Neymar will perform their usual role of dominating the flank and create through the wings. Iniesta will occasionally track back and cover the space left by Alba while moving forward and attempt a dribble in final third after having the possession.
The defensive backline of Pique and Mascherano will perform their usual roles. Mascherano will press higher trying to nullify the attacks while the Spaniard will pin himself back smartly to contain the Old Lady’s attackers.
Pique will receive help from the full-backs and the pivot whenever they lose possession in their own half. Barcelona’s another key player in attack, besides the trident, would be their Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The German’s ability to use both feet and make precise passes have helped Barcelona in surpassing the high pressing or compact defensive block of oppositions on several occasions. The youngster’s composure and reflexes are also important factors in stopping Juventus’ attacks.
The Italian side, on the other hand, is expected to have a defensive approach. The show for Italian Champions runs through the midfield where they have a talented bunch of players.
The four-man midfield consisting of Pirlo, Pogba, Marchisio and Vidal would have to compose themselves, according to the flow of game.
When in possession, they arrange themselves in a diamond, with Pirlo lying deep and Vidal acting as a ‘hole’. When in defense, they arrange themselves flatly with Pogba and Marchisio stretching out wide to close the flanks. As soon as they gain possession, the midfielders move forward opening the options in attack.
The prime responsibility of Allegri’s defenders along with marking the forwards would be to regain possession in their own half and sending out long balls.
It’s an uncertainty in final, having Chiellini injured, but Allegri have substituted another defender in place of one of the midfielders transforming into a 5-3-2 formation. The extra man in defense helps the fullback in tracking runs down the flank, while the remaining defenders close down the space in the middle.
The goalscoring options
Juventus prefer playing with a direct approach on goal. Once they recover the ball, the priority is passing it to one of the forwards while other makes the run accompanied by two other midfielders.
At the same time, Pirlo stays back so that the forward could pass him the ball, in case there is no opportunity to pass it to attackers. The Italian would then unleash his greatest weapon of making a killer pass to one of the forwards who would then put it into the net.
The Italian side occasionally builds up the play through flanks. The left-back Evra makes a striking run on the wing until he gets a safe option to make a pass. Evra’s runs are accompanied by a forward, usually Tevez moving out wide while Vidal and Pogba get in the middle.
This helps the forward to make a cross in the center. This move will be vital for Bianconeris since they only have to fight Pique to win aerial duels given the short statures on Mascherano and Alba.
The Blaugranas would, however, play in attacking mode for the entire 90 minutes. They have three best forwards and hence they would like to capitalize on that.
The biggest threat Enrique’s men would create is on the right flank where Messi will face Evra, who is past his prime.
Since, Chiellini is ruled out, the defensive responsibility will be endowed upon Barzagli who has just returned after an injury and it’d be a big uncertainty if he’s able to find the rhythm. Thus, if Messi is at his best, there will be a reason to worry for Juventus.
Another worry for Juventus would be Pirlo’s pace. Since, at several times, Pirlo is the only midfielder lying back, the Barcelona forwards can easily outpace and dribble past him since he’s not a specialized defender. Several times in defense, the Old Lady are assembled flat and hence, a through ball leaves the defenders one on one with strikers. It’s a matter of fact that Busquets is an expert in making such intersecting passes and hence, there are good chances of such positional flaws leading to a goal.
The other way Barcelona would try to create chances is by passing the ball to Messi who then drifts in while drawing the full-back and defender marking him. This allows Messi to make a short pass to Suarez who frees himself from his markers and squares it for Neymar upon being approached by the goalkeeper.
Overview
Thus, the final in Berlin would be a great battle of tactics between two heavyweights fighting for the treble. Both the teams are well prepared tactically and thus one cannot pick a clear favourite.