FC Barcelona are spoiled for choice next season. With the signings the club has made, Xavi has been handed the privilege to tinker around with a number of options and variations in the starting XI.
Adapting to adversity is fundamental to the conquest of European ascendancy. Xavi was often held back due to a lack of options, but with the new gauntlets at his disposal, there is room for experimentation.
Diario AS has drawn up a list of formulas Xavi can opt for in the forthcoming season, as each lineup provides differing strengths and depends on the opposition’s preferred play style.
Plan A: 3-3-3-1
Plan A provides a 3-3-3-1 formation. Unlike the conventional 4-3-3 setup, this one poses the most relevance to the coach’s current methods. Utilizing the box midfield approach, four midfielders are employed on the pitch, with a significant contrast between the operation of the two flanks
On one side, a direct winger operates with isolations created for him, while on the left side, the creation of chances is emphasized. It is expected that the back three of Kounde, Araujo, and Christensen will be followed by a double pivot of Frenkie de Jong and the newly acquired Swiss army knife, Ilkay Gundogan.
Replacing Sergio Busquets, the German will be tasked to act as an anchor and ball winner, while Frenkie is the first receiver who is liberated to venture forward. On the left-hand side, Balde would effectively play the role of a wing-back with the responsibility to hold width. In turn, the false winger will focus on overloading central areas between the lines.
Accompanying the false left winger, which is expected to be Gavi, Pedri would play high up the field on the right with creative obligations and offers to support third-man runs inside the box.
As Ousmane Dembele is assigned to exploit one-versus-one scenarios on the right and Lewandowski awaits service in the middle, this formation enables effective usage of profiles. Most importantly, it presents a great deal of control.
Plan B: 4-2-3-1
In essence, plan B draws many similarities to the previously mentioned formation as the box midfield formula would still be in effect. Even so, differences in personnel can be observed.
The back four, on paper, could ultimately result in a back three as Balde would push higher to make up for the loss of a classic left winger. Even so, in the middle, the option of persisting with Oriol Romeu, a far more natural defensive midfielder exists
Romeu, who is better suited to halting transitions and winning duels, would accompany either Frenkie de Jong or Ilkay Gundogan. The pair both possess immense stylistic similarities and prefer to play off a natural number 6 like Romeu.
The offensive fundamentals would mostly be the same, as Dembele will be isolated for take-ons and the additional midfielder on the left would enable control. Still, greater security at the back is likely to be found considering the threat on the counter will be minimal. The only downside to this is benching one of Frenkie or Gundogan, who are both worthy of starting for most European powerhouses.
Plan C: 3-4-3
Apart from fielding a midfielder on the left to invert, the possibility of berthing two natural wingers and shaking up the back-line also exists. At the back, Inigo Martinez possesses the ability to hold the reigns as a third center-back accompanied by Araujo and one of Christensen or Kounde.
In midfield, Balde’s absence can be made up by employing all the leading midfielders, without having to drop one of them. However, since Balde is quintessential in holding width, a more naturally suited winger like Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, or Abde will have to chip in as the left winger. Even Gavi could be allocated that role if greater security in possession is required.
With Pedri, Romeu, De Jong in midfield and Gundogan as a number 10, the German is liberated to showcase his offensive acumen, which he has always been fabled for. Meanwhile, a front 3 of Dembele, Lewandowski, and one of the aforementioned left-wingers can stretch the play in Balde’s absence.
