They’re one of us now.
Barcelona have always been a bit of a higher being when it comes to football. They see things differently. They win differently.
Pep Guardiola and that golden generation of Barca stars reinvented the game. Their shape was fluid, positions were interchangeable and they didn’t even need a striker at times even though they were the deadliest outfit on the planet. They were a joy to watch with total football, with freedom of expression, with the ability to pass teams into vertigo and walk the ball into the net as they pleased.
That was the template for grassroots investigations the world over. Football in Ireland and Britain was labelled archaic, simplistic, barbaric even. We were left behind as other nations and youth teams were becoming technically proficient and they were seeing possibilities that we couldn’t. They were producing football that was alien to this part of the globe.
Well, Barcelona have gone and changed everything again.
As the rest of the planet scrambles to catch up on a decade ago and they trip over themselves like Bambi trying to master tiki-taka, Ernesto Valverde has brought the Catalan giants right back to basics.
The new Barcelona manager has spread the greatest mind f**k since statisticians tried to count Xavi’s passes.
In what looks like, from a distance, a full U-turn from the trailblazing philosophy that set Barca apart, they’ve reverted back to the old-school shape.
Barcelona – yes, Barcelona – are playing 4-4-2.
Youth development coaches around the world, just stop for a second to see how this plays out.
It might be one thing if they have the players perfectly-suited for that formation – it would still be considered blasphemy in some corners – but Valverde has seemingly shoe-horned personnel into this rigid style.
They’re top of the league at present – their draw with Valencia on Sunday night keeps them four points clear of the same opposition and eight ahead of the two Madrid outfits but, despite all that, some fans are growing anxious.
You see, Barcelona are playing 4-4-2.
https://twitter.com/MrScripto/status/934878081017360385
I never thought Barcelona will play in a 4-4-2 formation.
— Toni 📿 (@yvessttoni) November 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/_C_W__/status/934871635701698560
Whilst Messi leads the way as La Liga’s top scorer with 12 goals already – and, it must be repeated, Barcelona lead the way in the table – it doesn’t seem to be suiting everyone.
A proper look at some of their outfield options tells its own story.
Nelson Semedo
Had a torrid evening at right back against Valencia and was eventually brought off. There are complaints over the lack of help he was offered by this formation.
https://twitter.com/BusquetsMO/status/934928592441573376
Thomas Vermaelen
He’s still playing for Barcelona?!
Jordi Alba
Good left backs like a 4-4-2.
https://twitter.com/RaazRafa/status/935061786851729413
Ivan Rakitic
Wasted on the wing.
Valverde second half approach has always been a problem. All i see is Rakitic just stays on the right wing and do nothing.
Culés may say Semedo was exposed today but Rakitic heavily contributed to that. He exposed Semedo and it's Valverde who has to take the blame.
— C H R I S (@_bjCT) November 26, 2017
Paulinho
Maybe this whole thing is designed to get the best out of their big summer signing.
The perfect 4-4-2 set up for Valencia but Messi Busquets unlocking it well for Paulinho to get into spaces. Barcelona the only side looking settled against Valencia.
— A (@VoiceonMadrid) November 26, 2017
Andres Iniesta
Getting too old for this shit.
Barcelona playing 4-4-2 but with no wingers on the flanks, Iniesta and Rakitic wide, Suarez and Messi upfront
— KariukiThe1st (@Karriss) November 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/OmVArvind/status/934892608874254342
Lionel Messi
It doesn’t really matter where you play him.
https://twitter.com/JussiLeppalahti/status/934884453058531334
Luis Suarez
At just 30 years of age, there are suggestions that his playing style and body type are catching up on him.
https://twitter.com/kallol_joadder/status/934935309665669121
The term 4-4-2, whilst used as a purpose to describe a shape or a formation, gradually progressed to being used as an insult.
If you followed better teams who played pure football, if you got the most out of technical midfielders or you were just a football hipster, 4-4-2 was a stick to beat everyone else with. You don’t need to resort to that nonsense.
But, now, Barcelona play 4-4-2.
