Game Analysis

Written assignment, May 19, 2020, for Intercollegiate Soccer II (EXSC 174) under the instruction of Prof. Milton Hidalgo, Head Coach for San Diego City College Men’s Soccer — Go Knights!

FC Barcelona vs. Atlético de Madrid 2014

Formations:

• Barcelona: 3–4–3
• Atlético de Madrid: 4–4–2

Most interesting player in the game? Why?

• Messi
• Messi is constantly getting into position between defenders to either be a bumper or as a runner himself using other players as bumpers while weaving the ball closer to goal using basic rondo.
• Messi is always working: defensively and offensively. Even when he’s walking, the space he occupies is with purpose.

Attacking Tendencies:

• Most touches are one-touch, no more than two, unless a run requires it.
• Slower buildups on the right, controlling tempo.
• Most attacks came from the right side using a series of one and two-touch passes to move the ball, spreading mid-fielders apart with passes to the top of the box, then played back wide. This caused Atlético’s left back to over-play his position, and other defensive players to be out of position.
• Barca’s right side moved with the ball forward and back as a unit of 3–4 players.
• Attacks from the left side were more direct, including long distance shots on goal.

Defensive Tendencies:

• Barca’s midfield wingers are always wide unless there is a need to come back and choke an attacking run.
• Atlético attacked mostly from the left, but when they were near Barca’s left corner, Barca’s left mid would drop back to cover any back side runs.
• Whenever not in position, Barca’s players take defensive posture.

Tactical situation that stood out not normally seen in all games?

• 32nd minute: far side throw in at the midfield gets worked to Fabregas at the center circle. He looks up and 5 Atlético players are clustered by the ref and not covering anyone. Fabregas makes a long push-pass to Alvarez by the touch line deep into Atlético territory. Midfielders are still running back to defensive positions. Before Alvarez passes the ball back to Fabregas, who is now at about 40 yards from goal, Messi slows his pace and walks through the semicircle. Right before the ball gets to Fabregas’ feet, Messi splits the two center backs. Messi traps the ball down and wide with his chest away from the center back behind him. The ball falls in front of Alexis who had taken position at the top left of the box. Alexis strikes the ball after it bounces back up from Messi’s chest pass and threads the needle hitting the top of the net. The keeper was a spectator.