DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
Note that this is in no way a prediction as some of the tactical changes will likely never happen in real life
Players in: Reus (30m), ter Stegen (15m), I. Martinez (20m), Marquinhos (20m, loaned to Roma), Deulofeu (promoted), Rafinha (promoted)
Total: 85m
Players out: Valdes (12m), Villa (12m), Afellay (10m), Cuenca (loan), JDS (2.5m), Fontas (2.5m), Keirrison (0.75m), Bojan (0m), Roberto (loan), Adriano (15m)
Total: 54.75m
25 man squad:
GK: ter Stegen, Pinto
DF: Alves, Alba, Abidal, Bartra, Pique, Montoya, Puyol, Mascherano, I. Martinez
MF: Cesc, Busquets, Thiago, Xavi, Iniesta, Rafinha, Song,
FW: Alexis, Messi, Pedro, Reus, Tello, Deulofeu,
Squad Handling:
*all of these rules are under normal circumstances (no major injuries, suspensions, etc.)
Rotation rules- For every standard league game there must be at least 3 changes in the starting lineup for more equitable distribution of playing time
Form- Lineups and playing time will be given based off of current form instead of previous merit or overall popularity
Substitutions- If losing, bring in necessary power subs. if winning, bring in subs for playing time. at least 2-3 substitutions per game
Youth handling- For every game we play against a team in the relegation zone, there must be at least 4 players in the starting lineup younger than 23 and 2 players called up from the B team to start or sub in
Tactics
6 second rule/pressing- this has to be brought back into the system to really strengthen our defense because it cuts off the opposition from threatening at all and forces errors which is exactly what we aim for in defense. Overall team pressing and energy is more likely with rested and energetic players and will really be a major fix to our defensive woes rather than just throwing money away for big name CBs in hopes that one/two transfers can fix everything.
Permanent sweeper (as shown in the formation)- I’ve always really pondered this theory for Barca and it’s something we can bring back from old football that would seriously help our team on counterattacks. 3 stopper defenders (2 fullbacks and 1 CB) are pressuring the opposition attackers as a group and cutting off as many options as possible in a counterattack. The main problem would be how our defense gets spread too thin and can’t handle through-balls, pace, or getting beaten 1v1. Here is where the sweeper comes into play. The sweeper cuts off any behind-the-defense options the opposition are trying to play and helps to keep the structure of the defense strong and by providing cover for each of the defenders if they are being outnumbered or beaten. Having a sweeper cuts out the option for them to play over the top long balls, through balls that pass through our defense with ease, and makes sure they don’t have any space to run into. In theory, it’s a really great fix and if they could create and practice the system constantly then it could work in games extremely well.
Circular movement- This is a pretty simple rule yet it’s been missing from the team this season and that shows to some level. The idea is that whenever player X is in possession, the other teammates in that player’s area will make runs/movement in a fashion that circulates around the player’s passing range/space so that they have a lot of options. To really click it into tiki-taka the team will have to be able to switch runs and movement when the possession changes from player to player. The faster it goes, the more it will be like a swarm of players moving in several directions/ways in and around the defense to get through and create an attacking chance with one/two touch passing. The opposition defense will not be able to maintain their formation as the team gets through/past them and into more advanced positions and ultimately that creates holes and space for us to utilize. The previous barca system is based around high movement in general to create passing options that will eventually lead towards the goal but this circular method will make it more oriented towards the player in possession and helps the team move along a set path towards the goal as a mass so that it’s quicker, more deadly, and less able to be shut out by the opposition.
Outflanking- This is an old method used to topple over and break down the most difficult defenses. The idea is that whenever we face a team with an airtight/bus-like defense that we can’t seem to break, we completely outnumber and outplay them on one flank to get in. It’ll work with Reus becoming a focal point forward in attack, Iniesta drifting a little closer to the left to dictate the attack, Messi staying close to the area to spark chances that lead to goals, and Alba bombing up to provide dominance in width. If they want to maintain their structure and formation, we can easily outplay them on the left and get in to score. If they dare to shove more players on the left to silence us, we’ll have a forward such as Tello on the right to play the ball to in space and score. It’s not something we should use for all games but kind of as a last resort in game change that completely topples the balance of the oppositions defense and makes the team more difficult to stop and unpredictable.
Players in: Reus (30m), ter Stegen (15m), I. Martinez (20m), Marquinhos (20m, loaned to Roma), Deulofeu (promoted), Rafinha (promoted)
Total: 85m
Players out: Valdes (12m), Villa (12m), Afellay (10m), Cuenca (loan), JDS (2.5m), Fontas (2.5m), Keirrison (0.75m), Bojan (0m), Roberto (loan), Adriano (15m)
Total: 54.75m
25 man squad:
GK: ter Stegen, Pinto
DF: Alves, Alba, Abidal, Bartra, Pique, Montoya, Puyol, Mascherano, I. Martinez
MF: Cesc, Busquets, Thiago, Xavi, Iniesta, Rafinha, Song,
FW: Alexis, Messi, Pedro, Reus, Tello, Deulofeu,
Squad Handling:
*all of these rules are under normal circumstances (no major injuries, suspensions, etc.)
Rotation rules- For every standard league game there must be at least 3 changes in the starting lineup for more equitable distribution of playing time
Form- Lineups and playing time will be given based off of current form instead of previous merit or overall popularity
Substitutions- If losing, bring in necessary power subs. if winning, bring in subs for playing time. at least 2-3 substitutions per game
Youth handling- For every game we play against a team in the relegation zone, there must be at least 4 players in the starting lineup younger than 23 and 2 players called up from the B team to start or sub in
Tactics
6 second rule/pressing- this has to be brought back into the system to really strengthen our defense because it cuts off the opposition from threatening at all and forces errors which is exactly what we aim for in defense. Overall team pressing and energy is more likely with rested and energetic players and will really be a major fix to our defensive woes rather than just throwing money away for big name CBs in hopes that one/two transfers can fix everything.
Permanent sweeper (as shown in the formation)- I’ve always really pondered this theory for Barca and it’s something we can bring back from old football that would seriously help our team on counterattacks. 3 stopper defenders (2 fullbacks and 1 CB) are pressuring the opposition attackers as a group and cutting off as many options as possible in a counterattack. The main problem would be how our defense gets spread too thin and can’t handle through-balls, pace, or getting beaten 1v1. Here is where the sweeper comes into play. The sweeper cuts off any behind-the-defense options the opposition are trying to play and helps to keep the structure of the defense strong and by providing cover for each of the defenders if they are being outnumbered or beaten. Having a sweeper cuts out the option for them to play over the top long balls, through balls that pass through our defense with ease, and makes sure they don’t have any space to run into. In theory, it’s a really great fix and if they could create and practice the system constantly then it could work in games extremely well.
Circular movement- This is a pretty simple rule yet it’s been missing from the team this season and that shows to some level. The idea is that whenever player X is in possession, the other teammates in that player’s area will make runs/movement in a fashion that circulates around the player’s passing range/space so that they have a lot of options. To really click it into tiki-taka the team will have to be able to switch runs and movement when the possession changes from player to player. The faster it goes, the more it will be like a swarm of players moving in several directions/ways in and around the defense to get through and create an attacking chance with one/two touch passing. The opposition defense will not be able to maintain their formation as the team gets through/past them and into more advanced positions and ultimately that creates holes and space for us to utilize. The previous barca system is based around high movement in general to create passing options that will eventually lead towards the goal but this circular method will make it more oriented towards the player in possession and helps the team move along a set path towards the goal as a mass so that it’s quicker, more deadly, and less able to be shut out by the opposition.
Outflanking- This is an old method used to topple over and break down the most difficult defenses. The idea is that whenever we face a team with an airtight/bus-like defense that we can’t seem to break, we completely outnumber and outplay them on one flank to get in. It’ll work with Reus becoming a focal point forward in attack, Iniesta drifting a little closer to the left to dictate the attack, Messi staying close to the area to spark chances that lead to goals, and Alba bombing up to provide dominance in width. If they want to maintain their structure and formation, we can easily outplay them on the left and get in to score. If they dare to shove more players on the left to silence us, we’ll have a forward such as Tello on the right to play the ball to in space and score. It’s not something we should use for all games but kind of as a last resort in game change that completely topples the balance of the oppositions defense and makes the team more difficult to stop and unpredictable.
