Barcelona endured a third successive La Liga game without a win on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao.
The Catalans struggled to get going in the first half but were a different team when chasing the game in the second.
Here, we look at the tactical impact he had on the contest.
WITHOUT-MESSI
Valverde set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation with Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele flanking Luis Suarez up front in the absence of Messi.
Sergi Roberto anchored the midfield but didn’t have the kind of control on the game that veteran Sergio Busquets usually has.
Barca set up in a 4-3-3
That didn’t bode well against Bilbao’s high-press.
The visiting team’s front four in a 4-2-3-1 system exerted pressure on Barca’s back-line which suffocated attempts to play out from the back, thereby forcing several turnovers.
Bilbao’s high-press
Meanwhile, Barca were compromised by their high defensive line. Pique may be an experienced professional but he was either ignorant or complacent in this encounter.
The Catalan was regularly beaten by runs in behind from the pacey Inaki Williams, leading the line for the away side.
Barca’s high-line exploited
Going forward, the Catalans struggled to break down the opposition without Messi. Suarez was lively and went close but again, those were chances created by an individual’s brilliance.
When the first line of the press was breached, Bilbao worked hard to get back in numbers, with the two holding midfielders dropping deep, forming a low block along with the deep line of four at the back.
Bilbao’s low block frustrated Barca
WITH-MESSI
The introduction of Busquets and Messi in the second half transformed the game.
Busquets was much better than Roberto at retaining possession and directing play. As a result, Barcelona immediately seemed to operate 15 yards further up the pitch.
Meanwhile, Messi’s threat saw the visitors back off and the Catalans were able to camp in the final third.
The Argentine had time and space in front of a very deep Bilbao defence and proceeded to wreak havoc until the opposition finally gave way.
Messi changed the game
