PLEASE read thoroughly to understand the reasoning behind the formation.
As you see this is 4-3-3, not Koeman’s preferred formation 4-2-3-1 because Koeman knows his formation isn’t working wonders so he is resorting to 4-3-3. I’ll break this formation down into parts now.
1) Attack
With our 3 at the front Messi will be playing in a false 9 position, so his heatmap should be from the center circle to the penalty spot and holding it to distribute it to the wingers and midfielders and get the odd shot. Griezmann and Dembele will make runs inside the box and not stay on the flanks to get some 1 on 1’s with the goalie. Coutinho and Pedri will go to the edge of the box and can take shots and do crosses do the far post respective of their position. Alba and Dest will provide the width and will make the odd run inside. De Jong will just switch the ball from flank to flank providing through balls to the wingers taking a shot or making a run when least aspected.
2) Defence
While defending deep the wing-backs cover the wingers and wing-backs of the other team, the wingers come to a supporting position to support the wing-back defend the wide players of the other team and block crosses. De Jong will drop to the penalty spot to the top of the box. The center-backs cover the strikers from the opposition. Pedri and Coutinho are at the top of the box to start a counter-attack.
This is a line-up in which every player can be switched with a like to like replacement in our squad. Please feel free to leave tactical changes in the comments.
Visca el Barca
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We are focusing on not crowding the middle, and you still bring up that course? Did you see Iniesta? He loved to drift wide, leaving Messi and Xavi in the middle. We need width, and if so, we can play a four back with the defensive midfielder joining the defense while the fullbacks are carrying out defensive duties. We need to play Pedri in a natural 10 postion, and play Pjanic alongside De Jong, since they complement each other. Messi would roam freely and would have more time to scan the opposition’s defense, while Braithwaite makes runs. This is just because of the absence of Dembele and Ansu Fati.