Barça returns to the League this Saturday facing a complicated exit. And Claudio Giráldez’s Celta is one of the most stimulating teams in the championship. A match that ensures high pace, many alternatives and many variables on the board. Here my keys for this great meeting:
1. PAU VÍCTOR, DANI OLMO OR FERMÍN
With the confirmed absence of Lamine Yamal, Flick will have to apply new features up front. Lewandowski and Raphinha will be permanent but, for third place, he has several options. Also given the losses of Ferran and Ansu, the only pure attacker left is the young Pau Victor. His entry on the right wing would leave the rest of the attacking frame intact. The second possibility, the one the coach used against Real Sociedad, was Fermín acting as a false winger. This variant did not work very well but it does have the advantage of being able to use both the midfielder and Raphinha on both sides. And the third option, not considered until now, involves the inclusion of Dani Olmo as a winger. The midfielder is so versatile and so adaptable that he can play at any height and on any wing. Perhaps the time has come to use this third and very viable possibility.
2. INVITE AND SQUEEZE
After Barça and Madrid (in this order), Celta is the team that accumulates the most passes in this League. Furthermore, he does so by taking risks from behind. And that is something that the Barça team has to take advantage of. Because their good pressure can pay off if the team grants the first pass to the Celtinas and then directs the pressure inwards and recovers at the top. If we do so, not only will the distance be shorter, but the path will be much clearer because Celta opens up a lot at starts and restarts. Many of the 22 goals that have been conceded have come like this.
Tactical key Celta – Barça
3. THE NINE, IN THE HOLES
As usual, Lewandowski will be the spearhead. And he will also do so fully recovered and without the wear and tear of international commitments. It is an ideal match for the nine to be very active looking for depth gaps between defenders. And the fact is that the line of three or four depending on the moment that Celta makes, leaves spaces for easy vertical passes to enter. It is also important that the passers be attentive to this when performing them.
Read also
4. PLAY IN SHORT SPACES
With an average distance of just over 29 meters between its defense and its forward, Celta is the most compressed team in the entire championship (Barça is at 34 meters on average). So the Barça team will have to be fast and fine in the interior combinations. A more important aspect than is believed since this virtue of the Celtic team ends up pushing its opponents to focus the game excessively on the wings, the area that is easiest for any team to defend. Barça has to continue finding Pedri, Casadó, De Jong, Olmo… that is, the men inside to then activate that point of verticality and determination so characteristic of Flick’s team.
5. ASPAS, AND THE NEW MINGUEZA
His numbers indicate his importance in the team (two goals and five assists) and his game as well. Mingueza starts from the right but is free to step into the area and appear in the areas he sees fit. Giráldez is giving him license to do everything (even to take direct free kicks) and he is responding in spades. The continuous calls with the national team are not a coincidence. Mention as always Iago Aspas. And, despite the fact that his physical performance diminishes him in certain areas, he is one of the most talented players of the last decade. And, finally, highlight Hugo Sotelo. The young 20-year-old midfielder is an interesting footballer with very good footing. He is not always a starter but he always has space.
Tactical key Celta – Barça
#Lewandowskis #unchecking #tactical #keys #Celta #Barcelona
