Barça will visit the Alfonso Pérez Muñoz Coliseum (7:30 p.m., Movistar LaLiga) already looking ahead to next season, but with the aim of fully securing second place in the League. In front, a Getafe much improved in performance since the arrival of Quique Sánchez Flores. Here are my tactical keys for this great game:
After Xavi experimented against Celta using a 4-2-3-1 to start with, he will most likely return to a 4-3-3 today. In fact, a very discreet first half in which the azulgranas did not obtain the desired share of the ball (48%) already served for the team to recover its structure at half-time. Another important issue today lies in the composition of the defense since it is the line that has the most casualties. The sides seem to be owned by Dani Alves and Mingueza and, on the axis, Lenglet also seems to be. The great unknown goes through who will be the second center-back. We will see which option the Barca coach opts for.
Today is a day for the team to show that it has learned the lesson of the matches against Cádiz or Rayo. Because Quique Sánchez Flores’ Getafe is a team that, applying a 5-3-2, bases its strength on defensive solidity. So Barça will have to teach more things in their positional attacks than just finishing plays in the center. Interior breaks, long shots, players who opt for personal actions… variety to be undetectable and impossible to stop.
The arrival of Quique Sánchez Flores has made Getafe a very solid team without the ball. So much so that, if we take as a reference the games in which the coach has been in charge of the team (28 games), Getafe would be the team with the second fewest goals scored in the championship (25 goals conceded). But within this eminently defensive habitat, there is a point of weakness. We find it in its left sector and it refers to the space that goes from the left side to the left center. A space that is normally managed by Olivera and Jorge Cuenca. And it is that while all the distances and aids are rigorous in the rest of the areas of the field, in this one in particular, the margin of action for the rivals is greater. It is no coincidence that a good part of the few goals conceded by the Real Madrid team originated here.
It’s been five games since Barça have kept a clean sheet. In addition, the rivals have found too much reward for the little presence they have had in the Barça area. Largely due to not defending well the actions of lateral centers or due to lack of tension in the rejections within it. An aspect that Barça has to reverse from today.
Within the dangers of Getafe it is necessary to highlight, above all, their goal man, Enes Ünal. Because the Turk is doing an excellent campaign. He is being very active in a habitat that is going great for him. So much so that 15 goals out of the 32 scored by Quique Sánchez Flores’ team in the championship are enough baggage to be considered a man to watch. On the other hand, Olivera is a very interesting offensive defender. He intervenes in the ball out continuously and frequently joins the attack. He has a good foot for crosses or even finishing go-ahead actions. He has one goal and three assists this season.
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