Barcelona Squad Analysis - Formation and Goalkeepers

Formation

The 3-5-2 Formation

Koeman’s switch to the 3-5-2 system helped turn around Barcelona’s season. It was the most appropriate formation to get the best out of all the players in the team. But it does have some inherit defects. 

Sophisticated and Specific System

The major defect of the system is that it’s a formation you have to stick with. It’s easy to switch between formations when playing a fluid 4-3-3, but the 3-5-2 needs a particular set of players. Antonio Conte specializes in this system and he does have specific needs. He won the Serie A with Inter and the Premier League with Chelsea. Conte in his 2 years in charge of Chelsea brought in 13 players. Lot of these players who flourished under him, were wasted later in the absence of the 3-5-2 formation. The 3-5-2 is a very specific type of system, which a club has to stick to long term, at Barcelona it might have been a good short term solution but not the formation to move forward with.

Papering over the cracks

The 3-5-2 system did benefit Barcelona in the short term, but it was more like a way to hide our deficiencies. Barcelona had a major problem to stop counter attacks, Busquets especially was criticized for his lack of prowess when teams looked to play on the counter. Alba and Dest did flourish in this system as they were giving more freedom, this covered one of their deficiencies that is defending. Alba was criticized a lot for his lack of concentration when defending and in general wasn’t good going backwards as he was going forwards. Another major obstacle for Barcelona was the inability to defend against crosses. Gaps were often found between the centre backs. This was best illustrated in the match against Granada, when Koeman switched from a three at the back system to a four at the back in the last 20 minutes to change the game. This backfired, Pique and Umtiti who had played the whole game with the comfort of an extra body in defence, were unable to mark the striker, leading to a simple headed goal. The likes of Lenglet have benefited from this, as he looks much more comfortable in this formation. The 3-5-2 has just temporarily papered over the cracks in the Barcelona defence, the switch to the 4-3-3 would reveal some harsh realities.

The 4-3-3 Formation 

Barcelona and 4-3-3 go hand in hand. All the youth teams including Barça B, Juvenil A, Cadete A and other youth sides play the 4-3-3. The midfield three functions perfectly and Messi acts as the focal point in the false nine role. I’ll explain the working of the forward line, when analyzing the forwards. The switch to the four at the back would spell bad news for those benefiting from it in the defence. The likes of Lenglet, Dest and Alba would be forced to improve. With Emerson coming in and Barcelona being linked with the likes of Laporta, the back line does have room to improve. The goalkeeper would also really benefit from a stabilized defence. Who that goalkeeper will be, is what we will find our next. 

Goalkeepers

This category is pretty straightforward and I won’t be using any stats. Post shot expected goals are really the only useful metric for goalkeepers, but judging goalkeepers based on the eye test and from what I have read and listened is better.

Ter Stegen

Ter Stegen’s season has been underwhelming. His reflexes are still on point and he is still reliable. But what we are expecting from the German is far more than reliable. Now the highest paid goalkeeper, we culers are expecting MATS to be in the conversation for the best keeper every single season. Ter Stegen’s sweeping this season has been especially poor this season. Having a shaky defence in front of him doesn’t help either. He has been playing through injury, and has now undergone surgery. Hopefully he can fully recover and get back to his best. 

Neto 

The Brazilian has undergone the kind of season a Barcelona substitute goalkeeper has to face. There really isn’t an argument for Neto to start ahead of Ter Stegen. Neto did start the first few matches in goal due to Ter Stegen’s absence and has also appeared in goal for the Copa del Rey a few times. The substitute goalkeeper spot is tricky to fill as it involves a lot uncertainty. I wouldn’t blame Neto wanting to leave Barcelona for getting more game time. Selling Neto to generate funds would mutually benefit both the player and the club. 

Inaki Pena and Arnau Tenas

Both goalkeepers have been travelling with the first team and sharing minutes for Barça B. Promoting Inaki Pena to be the deputy would free up the Barça B goalkeeper spot for Arnau Tenas. Inaki Pena from what I have heard is ready to be the deputy and has good positioning, reflexes and is brilliant at saving penalties. Victor Valdes and Ter Stegen both started off their Barcelona careers as deputies. Inaki Pena could follow on. 

Donnaruma 

It seems pure speculation at this point, but Donnaruma has been linked with a move to Barcelona. Whether it’s Mino Riola trying to pressurize Juventus and PSG to agree a higher wage deal or if Barcelona actually are considering him we do not know. On the face of it, it is a free transfer. But the agent commission fees and high wages will spell a whole different story. Financially it’s not very smart and as we already have a settled No.1 in Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Donnaruma isn’t the kind of player we should target. Also considering his move to PSG is all but confirmed, Donnaruma to PSG doesn’t seem to be happening and rightly so. 

There you have it, the first section of the Barcelona Squad Analysis does come to an end. But there's much more awaiting your presence. Check out the next edition of the Barcelona Squad Analysis on fullbacks right here. Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you back soon for the next section of the Barcelona Squad Analysis and remember, it's more than a blog.