Barcelona: the key elements of defence

[Holding Midfield]

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Barcelona are well known around the world for their impressive attack, but their defence is worth examination as well. This post presents the key facets of the team’s defence – what the team does when they lose possession and how the team gets the ball back, based on the analysis of the games against Arsenal (both), Sevilla and Getafe. 1. High pressing in the opponent’s half is the core element of Barcelona’s defensive system A. High pressing when the ball is lost in attack When the team loses possession, Barcelona immediately start pressing in the opponent’s half. The basis of the quick transition to tough-pressing is laid on the principles of their attacking organisation – focus on small passes, triangles of players over short distances, ball possession and the active participation of full-backs* (Adriano/Maxwell, Alves) high up the pitch. These kind of attacking actions require the concentration of the players near their teammate who has the ball. The individual distance between the players is close and allows immediate pressing when the ball is lost in attack. The pressing is performed by the pair of closest players, in almost all the episodes – one of them (usually wide forwards) often goes [...]

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[Mike.]

who found this bot? its brilliant!

 

[Kris]

Excellent! Have been an avid follower of HM for quite some time now. I am going to assume it was Lee.

 

[Mike.]

just been reading through some of his earlier ones, there's a few that i may repost, well worth more exposure

Going to use his napoli one to refine my Napoli emulation, seems i was 75 percent there

 

[Kris]

just been reading through some of his earlier ones, there's a few that i may repost, well worth more exposure

Going to use his napoli one to refine my Napoli emulation, seems i was 75 percent there

I thought you were aware of HM. They have a pretty accurate portrale of Lucas, can't be bothered searching for it but browse away.

 

[Mike.]

I thought you were aware of HM. They have a pretty accurate portrale of Lucas, can't be bothered searching for it but browse away.

nope sadly, will have a browse about lucas though, which reminds me i should have browse at swiss ramble, been a while since we talked about the financial side of the game

 

[Lee]

who found this bot? its brilliant!

It was I, thought it was about time I added on for the excellent Holding Midfield. Just a shame the feed isn't formatted as nicely as The Guardian ones.

 

[Mike.]

It was I, thought it was about time I added on for the excellent Holding Midfield. Just a shame the feed isn't formatted as nicely as The Guardian ones.

yeah thats a downer, but i dont mind editing them, they're well worth it

 

[oneunited]

great read [ thumbs up ]

 

[Niall]

I'm a big fan of Zonal Marking but have never heard of either Holding Midfield or Swiss Ramble. Reading some on both of them now, looks like good stuff.

 

[goblinshark]

Is there anyway to produce fig 1 in the match ?

 

[Lol_101]

so true. i wonder what will happen once cave man carlos puyol reties. barca need to get a world class cb at their 23+, maybe like hummels or sljkojer (wolfburg cb). haha fm wise.