Barca need one more good center back and need to attack bit different against "busses"

We have to be real, our defense at this moment is awful. I can't remember the last time we had such difficulties at back. Maybe the reason for that is that Pique and Puyol are injured. But if Tito haven't planned and believed in Bartra, why Barca didn't buy another center back?


In last few season when I watched Barca playing I felt so secure when oppositions were attacking. Puyol and Pique commanded everything. Dani was so explosive and agile on the right flank, nobody could outran him. We were so powerful! But now we are so vulnerable at every game (especially in fouls and corners). Things have changed.

Rosell and Vilanova need to get real. We are vulnerable and we had luck in some games. Against top class teams we are going to suffer. Daniel Agger was connected with Barca in the summer. Maybe Rosell should try to sign him in January transfer window as Liverpool are fighting to avoid relegation zone in the Premier League.

Another option is to give Marc Bartra more playing minutes. He had a promising game against Celtic, although it was an easy night for the defenders as Celtic had only 18% possession.

Maybe Barca should consider to sign Vermaelen or Koscielny in the future. They are Barca alike defenders,fast and aggressive and they are good with the ball. Also both players can play as full backs. This is only a option we mention, this is unlikely to happen, although Barca and Arsenal have good collaboration.

How to attack "busses"

We all saw how we suffered last year against the defending style and tactics of Chelsea. The last game against Celtic reminded me of that game. I'm always frustrated when we face such teams as we always do the same thing - pass like crazy and wait for Messi to do something.

We must try to be inventive and try to do unpredictable things against defensive teams. But in most cases we are uninventive and predictable. When we need a goal (like we needed against Celtic) we must attack and reform our whole tactics. Here is what we recommend:

- Fast and inventive wings like Pedro and Tello who will aggressively attack defenders.

- Adriano as right midfielder. Adriano is creative and has precise long passing and thus can easily support Pedro, or send long balls to the other winger or forward.

- Villa as forward and Messi as attacking midfielder.

- Xavi in the position of Busquets.

Tactics when we face such teams:

Alves           Pique           Alba  

Xavi

Adriano     Iniesta

         

  Messi

 Tello                            Pedro

   Villa 

We have to risk and dribble more in such games, not only to pass the ball and wait the opponent to make mistake. We lost two semi-finals in the last 3 years against such defending play when Inter and Chelsea just parked their "busses" and defended with all players.