Some things I agree with and some I don't. I whole wholeheartedly understand where Valverde is coming from not switching back to 4-3-3. And here is why. In order for our 4-3-3 to work properly our wingers need to be ferocious, run and press high, as it ultimately helps our team win the ball back. But with Messi not running and contributing backwards, any manager, not just Valverde, would have an extremely hard time making 4-3-3 work properly, unless Messi is played as CF of course. But with our current squad it would cause a domino effect.
1) Suárez would be forced out wide - far away from goal, ultimately making him harmless.
2) Dembélé would on the other hand flourish in a 4-3-3, especially if played as RW, which he would. But he would be a defensive liability as he has yet to learn how to press, track backwards and position himself. But regardless of formation, Dembélé needs to improve his physique in order for him to be able to help defensively. He is currently weighing 73 kg, which in my opinion, is 5 kg short of what I would like him to weigh.
So with that said, I understand why Valverde decided to stick with 4-4-2.
He stuck with 442 because it brought temporary success and he was blinded by it. Just like how he stuck with 442 and the same lineup against Roma, when asked why, he himself said because they scored won 4-1 in the first leg with it. He refused to change even when he knew it starts crumbling. That's how "safe" a manager he is.
And is it really a coincidence that he is a defensive coach and uses 442? And why has it always to be Dembele is the problem? If he really had some tactical sense, Iniesta would be forced out wide in a 442 and has to do more defensive work, and you think the frail old body of Iniesta could keep up with that? And 20 year old Dembele cannot learn to press or build up himself? Busquets also suffers in a 442, he doesnt work in a double pivot. Not to mention, playing Pique with a knee injury and somehow he can be expected to defend like a master.
Dembele is under the guidance of Valverde and it's up to the coach to train and nurture him. If Valverde really had the 433 in mind, then he wouldn't have benched him after he came back from injury, literally for 3 games against Getafe, Eibar and then Chelsea, after that decide to field him against Girona where he had a superb game. Then he somehow decide to revert back to 442 against mighty Las Palmas, and ended up with a 1-1 draw. And guess what? He only gave Dembele 15 mins of gameplay. After that, didnt field him against Atletico, and finally decide to let him play against Malaga.
So let that sink in, after he came back from injury, he benched him for 3 games straight, play him against Girona where they gave a 6-1 trashing, after that benched him for 2 games again. So in one match, he is supposed to somehow learn how to press, defend, attack after being back from injury?
Fcking ridiculous.
It's honestly not rocket science, he is a defensive and a very conservative manager, simple as that. He fears big changes and doesnt like the idea of 433, even against small teams where they should win comfortably, even with a 8- 10 points lead.
In any case, all the theories surrounding why he uses 442 is wack as fck. Next season, it is do or die for him. Whether he decides to develop and integrate Dembele is all down to him. And whether he uses Arthur is also a huge sign on whether he wants to use 433. If he uses 442 and fail again then no excuses for him.
