December 1st (EFE): You can't fly without wings, and the same is true in football. This is exactly what is occurring to Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, whose incredible rise has been thwarted by their incapacity to attack from the flanks when opponents defend in a low block.
UD Las Palmas (1-2) and Leganés (0-1) are two opponents from the lower half of the rankings that Barcelona has encountered in its previous two losses at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys. These games have revealed one of Barcelona's present issues: a lack of resources on the flanks during stagnant attacks.In order to exert pressure on the Blaugrana squad, one must now take the lead in the score, play defensively, and block the Catalan team's interior channels.
Borja Jiménez's squad took the lead in the fourth minute, but Diego Martínez's team managed to take the lead in the 49th. Barcelona's attempts to get past goalkeepers Marko Dmitrovic and Jasper Cillessen's defenses in neither game were successful.
Fast-paced games are preferred by Flick's Barça, who trade blows with opponents that attack and open up. They flourish in the surprise attacks that result from regaining control.
The German coach has two center-backs, Íñigo Martínez and Cubarsí, who are accustomed to playing the ball out from the back in this situation; two gifted players, Pedri and Olmo, who are masters of time and space and can move between the lines; and forwards, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, who are excellent at finding space and getting behind opposition defenses.
Fast-paced games are preferred by Flick's Barça, who trade blows with opponents that attack and open up. They flourish in the surprise attacks that result from regaining control.
The German coach has two center-backs, Íñigo Martínez and Cubarsí, who are accustomed to playing the ball out from the back in this situation; two gifted players, Pedri and Olmo, who are masters of time and space and can move between the lines; and forwards, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, who are excellent at finding space and getting behind opposition defenses.
They can attack with the speed of Kounde and Balde as full-backs in the fast-paced rhythm of back-and-forth games, but when they get stuck in static attacks, issues occur since the team's inclination is to focus inward rather than forth.
Raphinha on the left and Lamine Yamal on the right, who both start on the wings, don't behave like true wingers.
The former usually tries to dribble inside to position himself to shoot with his left foot while playing on his weaker foot. Neyou's right ankle injury was made worse by a challenge against Leganés, which also prevented him from playing with his typical flare.
Despite his many strengths, the Brazilian forward's natural tendency is to cut in diagonally towards the center. He is not very good at taking on defenders one-on-one, especially when the play isn't in free space.
The onus of creating instability on the flanks frequently falls on Kounde, a center-back who has been converted to full-back, and Balde, who loses his spark when forced to receive the ball in static situations and infrequently breaks through the opponent's area for crucial passes, if Raphinha and Yamal are unable to provide the required width and depth as wingers.
Flick's team is full of central midfielders (Olmo, Gavi, or Fermín have occasionally played that left wing), but he lacks true wingers, therefore he cannot solve this issue by looking into his bench either. Due to his persistent physical problems, Ansu Fati, the only substitute player used to starting wide, lacks confidence and rhythm.
Gerard Martín and youthful Héctor Fort, the substitute full-backs, are also not very good at attacking. Consequently, it is clear that this Barcelona's primary problem is with its wings.
Raphinha on the left and Lamine Yamal on the right, who both start on the wings, don't behave like true wingers.
The former usually tries to dribble inside to position himself to shoot with his left foot while playing on his weaker foot. Neyou's right ankle injury was made worse by a challenge against Leganés, which also prevented him from playing with his typical flare.
Despite his many strengths, the Brazilian forward's natural tendency is to cut in diagonally towards the center. He is not very good at taking on defenders one-on-one, especially when the play isn't in free space.
The onus of creating instability on the flanks frequently falls on Kounde, a center-back who has been converted to full-back, and Balde, who loses his spark when forced to receive the ball in static situations and infrequently breaks through the opponent's area for crucial passes, if Raphinha and Yamal are unable to provide the required width and depth as wingers.
Flick's team is full of central midfielders (Olmo, Gavi, or Fermín have occasionally played that left wing), but he lacks true wingers, therefore he cannot solve this issue by looking into his bench either. Due to his persistent physical problems, Ansu Fati, the only substitute player used to starting wide, lacks confidence and rhythm.
Gerard Martín and youthful Héctor Fort, the substitute full-backs, are also not very good at attacking. Consequently, it is clear that this Barcelona's primary problem is with its wings.
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