Barcelona's formation under scrutiny and other tactical talking points ahead of Copa del Rey final against Sevilla

Aditya Devavrat 09:36 21/04/2018
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  • Valverde and Montella face off with the Copa del Rey on the line.

    Ernesto Valverde and Vincenzo Montella head into Saturday’s Copa del Rey final under plenty of pressure, with both coming under scrutiny over recent results.

    Valverde was slammed for his tactics during Barcelona‘s Champions League exit to Roma, while Montella’s Sevilla side has seen its season peter out, as they’ve slipped to seventh in La Liga.

    Both managers will no doubt have plenty on their minds. Here are some of the key tactical questions the two must address.

    STICK OR TWIST DILEMMA FOR VALVERDE

    Valverde has largely stuck to his guns with his 4-4-2 formation, and in his defence, it’s left Barcelona with the possibility of going an entire La Liga season unbeaten.

    But the Champions League exit after their stunning 3-0 loss to Roma has seen many question his insistence on sticking to that formation, with his tactical acumen being doubted.

    Barcelona lined up in a 4-2-3-1 in last weekend’s draw against Celta Vigo, although that was chiefly because he was resting his key players. However, the Roma result will make him wonder whether reverting to his usual formation is a good idea.

    Valverde has to decide whether to stick to his trusted 4-4-2.

    Valverde has to decide whether to stick to his trusted 4-4-2.

    CAN SEVILLA PUT NEAR-MISSES BEHIND THEM?

    Sevilla have produced two superb displays against Barcelona this season, so they clearly have the tactical capability and personnel to produce an upset on Saturday.

    Unfortunately, they only took one point from those two games.

    In Barcelona, they weathered an early storm and found a second-half equaliser, only to concede soon after. But it is the home fixture that will hurt Sevilla more. They had a 2-0 lead and enough chances to make it 3-0, before conceding two late goals as Barca escaped with a draw.

    The biggest battle will be in the Sevilla players’ minds. Can they get over those near-misses?

    Sevilla's previous encounters against Barcelona will have left scars.

    Sevilla’s previous encounters against Barcelona will have left scars.

    PAULINHO SELECTION DILEMMA STILL TO BE RESOLVED

    The major selection dilemma for Valverde over the last month has been Paulinho. His absence was cited as a key factor behind the team’s collapse in Rome – his combativeness and physicality would have helped deal with Roma’s relentlessness.

    He was restored to the starting XI after that and Barcelona duly beat Valencia. However, the fact that he then started again in midweek against Vigo leaves room to speculate whether he’ll be used from the start on Saturday.

    Sevilla’s style is similar to Roma’s, so it seems a no-brainer. But with the depth of Barcelona’s midfield options, it’s still not guaranteed.

    Paulinho's place in the starting XI is in doubt.

    Paulinho’s place in the starting XI is in doubt.

    CAN MONTELLA COPY THE ROMA BLUEPRINT?

    Montella was a beloved of the Roma fans during his playing career and had a brief spell as interim manager for the side. He undoubtedly watched his former club dumped Barcelona out of the Champions League.

    Roma’s success in that game was down to manager Eusebio di Francesco’s bold decision to switch to a 3-5-2 formation, allowing his side to press Barcelona high up the pitch and play long balls in behind their defence.

    Sevilla have the personnel to pull off something similar, especially with Ever Banega’s passing ability. Will Montella take a leaf out of di Francesco’s book?

    How closely was Montella watching his former side Roma against Barcelona?

    How closely was Montella watching his former side Roma against Barcelona?

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