Yet people should not forget that this team consists mostly of small players and need at least 3 players in the line-up who can battle with anyone for the long balls. The games against Milan showed that the opposition can overpower us in the air and that could lead to unnecessary goals and draws. For example, I can't imagine playing with a defensive lineup like alves-Macherano-Puyol-Adriano. It would leave us desperately open to long balls, considering neither of our Back four reaches the 6ft mark and the 2 CB are quite slow. Right now, we have Busquets, Pique, Abidal, Keita and Puyol who can compete quite well in the air. But Pep should give more minutes to players like Fontas, Bartra and Muinesa, who can come into the game when the opponent is in an all-out attack mode and tighten things up, especially in set-piece situations.
Also, It wouldn't hurt to get someone who isn't below 5.7ft in the front lineup. It would make our attacks more dynamic to get a player who can compete in the air as much as in the ground. You can't always hope(even if you're Barca) you can unlock the opponents defense with possession football and then send in Pique if you can't. I'm not suggesting buying Carroll, Llorente or Crouch, who'll slow our attacks down, but a player like Falcao or Cavani, who are physically threatening and fast with the ball at the same time.
