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Manchester City vs Barcelona – one of the biggest tactical battles of the season×Proofread Champions League football is here. There is a lot of excitement, there are new teams in the Round of 16 this season and more important than all, Arsenal, even though managed to finish behind Borussia Dortmund in the group stages, has got a weaker opponent in AS Monaco. Leaving all the trivia and nonsense behind us, let us turn our focus to the three main tactical battles that could decide the outcomes of these matches. Here goes the list:
#1 Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid - Two intensely pressing teams.
Last season’s finalists, Atletico Madrid are visiting Bayer Leverkusen, who, according to me, stand on the same ground as the Spanish Champions in terms of their playing philosophies. On paper, Atletico’s formation is 4-4-2 and Leverkusen’s 4-2-3-1. But Bayer manager, Roger Schmidt, who professes a high-intensity pressing game in the opposition half, makes sure that his team modifies to a 4-2-2-2 formation in order to set up the pressing traps. This might force Diego Simeone to change his side’s shape to 4-4-1-1 with Antoine Griezmann playing behind the striker, Mario Mandzukic.
The presence of a player between the forward and midfield line will help Atletico’s midfielders to play deep and neutralize Leverkusen’s high intesity pressing in this region. Griezmann can disrupt the balance in Bayer’s midfield by running wide and dragging along with him one of the defensive midfielders. Since, Gonzalo Castro and Lars Bender are the only players shielding Leverkusen’s defence (the wingbacks get involved in the pressing of the opposition in the midfield region), the movement of Griezmann could hold the key to unlocking the home side’s defense.
#2 Manchester City vs. Barcelona - The Catalan forwards vs. City\'s defense.
The Barcelona of this season is very different when compared to Gerardo Martino’s side of last season. When the Catalans found it hard to outscore Atletico Madrid even once in their six meetings, there were real concerns about the future of the team. Under Luis Enrique, after some early scuffles among the various personnel in the team, the squad ha settled down well and moreover, it has beaten Atletico Madrid hands down in all the three matches this term.
The main reason for this is the change in the playing style upfront – the front three, who were usually acting more like passers of the ball than the finishers under the previous manager, now get more time on the ball with the freedom of being ruthless in expressing themselves in the final third. The front trio has 47 goals and a vulnerable Manchester City defense could be easily outwitted by Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez.
It was Suarez wide runs to both the sides of the pitch from central areas, that opened up space for Neymar and Messi on the wings. And if you have observed carefully, then you might know about the offside trap played by Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichiles restrict themselves to the 18-yard line and leave space behind them. With Suarez’s off ball movements, this space can be put to good use by Barcelona.
The pace of the forwards and the quick transition to attack can prove menacing and it will be intriguing to know what changes Pellegrini is ready to make to counter the opposition. Although, City should not be much worried about this as Yaya Toure’s return to the midfield will put all the defensive duties central midfielder (Fernando or Fernandinho). There won’t be much confusion between the two midfielders since Toure will be bursting up the pitch occasionally.
#3 Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund - Juve\'s midfield dominance.
Juventus plays a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond and Borussia Dortmund, playing 4-2-3-1 while attacking and 4-4-2 while defending, is sure get overrun in the midfield. The midfield diamond consisting of Andrea Pirlo as the deep midfielder, Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba as shuttlers and Arturo Vidal on top will be a tough nut to crack for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Dortmund’s 4-4-2 vs Juventus (That is, Dortmund’s defensive phase):
This is the most problematic situation for Dortmund. When in possession, Juventus will outnumber Dortmund 4 to 2 in midfield with Pirlo and Vidal, the two tips of the diamond, free to move. We have seen Dortmund defend mediocrely this season. So with Vidal slipping in between the strikers, who move wide, and Marchisio and Pogba shuttling towards the goal, Dortmund’s defense will be tested to the limits.
Dortmund’s 4-2-3-1 vs Juventus (That is, Dortmund’s attacking phase):
Dortmund will still be outnumbered 4-3 in the midfield. Pirlo will track Kagawa. With Vidal dropping deep, Pirlo can find some space and launch a quick counter by passing long balls to the forwards.
