The response to direct play, aerial duels and other keys to Barça-Brest

After two non-positive results and three consecutive away games, Barça will play at home again. He will do so in the face of one of the surprises of this Champions League with a double objective tonight: to break the momentum and consolidate the top of the table in the competition. Here my keys for this great meeting:

1. Cut ‘Laminedependence’

In recent days there has been a lot of talk about Barça’s drop in performance without Lamine Yamal. Taking into account the results without his presence and the quality of the player’s football, it is logical that it be done, but it is time to show that the Barça team can also play well without him. A piece of his value will always be noticed but Barça can and has to show another offensive side. Of course, the team will have to have better decisions with the ball than it has had lately. This will be Barça’s first challenge tonight.

2. Do not exceed limits

In the last two matches played (Real Sociedad and Celta), the team did not control the game because it went too far in quick attacks. Right now, the main aspect of Barça’s improvement is to maintain that point of verticality that is giving them so much profit without going overboard. Tonight’s opponent takes you there and Barça will have to know how to handle this aspect. Sometimes, a point of calm makes you feel much better.

3. Win duels

Brest is a very competitive team that moves well in football disorganization. Everyone is supportive, everyone covers areas that do not belong to them and everyone contributes to both phases of the game. The best proof is that, with an average of 12.5 per game, it is the team that makes the most interceptions in this Champions League group stage. The team starts from a kind of poorly defined 4-3-2-1 system in which it arrives with many troops to the rival area and also defends with many players behind the ball.

4. Direct play and strategy

With an average of 19 per game, Brest is the team that wins the most aerial duels in this Champions League. It has large forwards (Ajorque) and also powerful defenders from above like Ndiaye or Baldé. Furthermore, with a very high record of 75 long trips on average per game, it is also the team that plays the longest. They barely try to work backwards and almost always look for the far exit. Something that, on paper, they will still tend to do more against a team as dominant as Barça. One of the points in which the team will have to handle itself better will be in the response to direct play, to the activation of second balls and to set-piece situations against. It is vital that Barça is concentrated and activated for this. Doing so will minimize the only aspect where the Brest is not inferior.

5. Ajorque, Magnetti and Sima

Ludovic Ajorque will be one of the players to watch today. His wingspan (197 centimeters) make him a constant danger in the area. Furthermore, his ability to offload is very interesting because he not only drops balls but also knows how to give continuity to the game. He has not scored in the Champions League, but with three goals he is Brest’s top scorer in Ligue 1. Magnetti is a dynamic midfielder, with good offensive intentions and good shooting. He scored against Sturm Graz. And pay attention to Sima’s power in space. Eric Roy is using it especially in the Champions League for open field contexts and he already has three goals.

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