CAN THE BLUES SOLVE THEIR DEFENSIVE DIFFICULTIES?
While manager Frank Lampard orders his team to press high and aggressively, they do find it hard to stay compact when not in possession. They like to play a high defensive line but far too often the co-ordination is lacking, with the offside trap serving as an open door for opposition forwards.
“The important thing is the philosophy, to be clear about the way we play. My objective is to win every title. There is no other path but to improve every year and achieve the maximum amount of trophies possible. The best route to victory is playing well. It’s important to associate the two.
“I can only guarantee that Barca will play an attractive game. I don’t have an extensive CV. I don’t have trophies. But what I have is that I’ve shown a philosophy that I love. The only thing I have done is to make Betis, Las Palmas and Lugo play really good football.”
Relaxed, communicative and evidently overjoyed to be appointed Barcelona’s new coach, Quique Setien cut a most impressive figure in his introductory press conference at Camp Nou. Brought in to fill the gap left by the sacking of Ernesto Valverde, the 61-year-old – who was a midfielder for Racing Santander, Atletico Madrid and Spain in his playing days – will undoubtedly be embraced by the vast majority of Barca supporters.
And for one simple reason: Setien is a football purist. A huge admirer of ex-Barcelona coaches Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola, he represents a welcome return to old-school values, a game based on high pressing, relentless possession and quick passing. The plan is for Setien to restore the intensity and proactivity that his predecessor did not appear to overly appreciate.
During Valverde’s two-and-a-half season reign Barca effectively lost their DNA. Their performances often were dull, conservative and uninspiring. The entertainment levels plummeted. Setien the romantic should, in theory, lift the clouds and a more expansive style will be on the cards.
A devotee of a three-man back line while at Betis, Setien is unlikely to definitively go with a defensive trio at Barca. The main reason for this is because it is mid-season and he does not really have the time to put a new rearguard system in place. Also, the 4-3-3 formation is in the Barca blood and he will want to avoid breaking this sacred tradition.
Looking to put his stamp on his new team, Setien will probably look to make strides in two specific areas. He says he wants more competition for first-team places and to this end intends to give greater opportunities to graduates from the club’s La Masia academy. As a matter of urgency he must also improve the team’s positional discipline. On Valverde’s
watch it was next to non-existent.
But who will he turn to now that main striker Luis Suarez has been ruled out until April with a knee injury? The obvious name that springs to mind is French ace Antoine Griezmann, who has regularly
floundered since his €120million move from Atletico Madrid.
Mainly used by Valverde on the left flank, Griezmann was like a fish out of water. He has been less dynamic, not nearly as influential and was generally wasting his energy with all the tracking back he had to do.
As Griezmann has proved on numerous occasions, he is much more effective in a free-roaming role through the middle. Now he has the chance to truly step up and establish some chemistry with Lionel Messi.
“I can only guarantee that Barca will play an attractive game”
New coach Quique Setien