Barça’s pressure, Espanyol’s drawing and other tactical keys of the derby

This Sunday, Montjuic will experience a face-to-face match between Barça and Espanyol, two teams with opposing trajectories. But these types of parties live apart from the dynamics. These are my tactical keys for this great match:

BARCA

1- De Jong, to avoid the soufflé effect

After overcoming the big week (Sevilla, Bayern and Madrid) with a bang, the first thing Barça must do is find a way to motivate themselves at the same level as in the three previous games. Because, when this happens, a great danger is generated: that of lowering the intensity piston a little. And for that, Hansi Flick has a valuable weapon: players with fewer minutes to relax. And, among them, it is a perfect day for Frenkie de Jong to start. The Dutchman is coming off a magnificent 45 minutes in the Classic and is full of confidence. His entry could give some air to Marc Casadó or Pedri because Flick has used him both as a pure defensive midfielder and as an interior support player. Also good timing for Dani Olmo’s first start after his injury.

2- Exterior shot

There is a lot of talk about this Barça’s ability to verticalize spaces very efficiently. And it’s true. But little is mentioned about the efficiency of the outside shot. And there are already several goals that have been achieved through shots from medium distance. Against Espanyol it has to be an aspect to exploit. Whether to find the goal or to force the defense to leave the area. A resource that, in the type of match that is expected, is very valuable.

3- High media and lateral pressure

It is likely that Barça will have to attack a lot positionally and against a well-organized team like Espanyol is usually. Something that, a priori, has to make the first possessions difficult. In such a scenario, one of the most favorable situations is quick recoveries in the high zone to catch the opposing defense off guard. Furthermore, it is a practice that Flick’s team does wonderfully. In fact, with a total of 148 accumulated to date, Barça is the team in Europe that recovers the most balls in the opponent’s field with 148. Something that can be feasible and beneficial for the Blaugrana. But, to do this, it is essential that the second line (midfield) and full-backs are high and attentive to press immediately.

ESPANYOL

1- The system and offensive intentions

The first important point from Espanyol’s perspective is to be complete in the game. Because it is just as true that solidarity, concentration and defensive aid will be important as the focus cannot be solely on the defensive. And, to do this, Manolo González will have to decide whether to recover the five-defender system applied against Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid (it worked for him defensively) or continue with the 4-4-2 of the last games. Whatever the option, it will be important to line up players with the ability to reach the area and accompany in transitions. The Perico team is missing a goal away from home and it is essential that they load the area with more offensive players. One possibility would be to play with two natural forwards and place Jofre or even Puado behind for this purpose.

2- Long centers and second centers

Manolo González’s men may be forced to search for the area from zone two of the field. Or, what is the same, to center from areas that are not close. It will be important that, when this occurs, the area is loaded with more than one finisher. Not only to have finishing options but to have options to finish in a probable second action derived from the center. In this sense, the presence of Alejo Véliz with great aerial play and who has just scored in the Cup could be interesting for Espanyol.

3- Joan García and the depth of Jofre Carreras

Due to the type of match expected, the goalkeeper will be important this afternoon as he has been for a long time. Facing the team that has the most shots on goal in the championship (Barça with an average of 7.4 per game between the sticks) will also be the goalkeeper that has accumulated the most saves in these eleven games with a total of 47. The young attacker Jofre is being the best Spanish footballer. It has legs to go into space and legs to generate danger. He has two goals and two assists so far in the League. His depth may be the best argument in the open field. His teammates will do well to look for him behind the Barça full-backs.