5 major differences between Valverde and Enrique's tactics at Barcelona

Nobody expected this after the Supercopa de España. Barcelona had been hammered 5-1 on aggregate over two legs by Real Madrid and we all thought it would set the tone for the 2017/18 La Liga season.

However, Ernesto Valverde has ignored all the turmoil and bad press at Barcelona to keep his team focused and prepared for a long campaign. And they couldn't have got off to a better start.

In one word, their start is perfect. Four games, four wins, 11 goals scored, just once conceded and all 12 points in the bag. In contrast, Real Madrid have already drawn twice, yet to win at home.

So what has Valverde changed at Barcelona to get such a highly functioning unit?

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1) Lionel Messi's new role goes back to basics

Messi is back in the role that made him one of the best players in the world

When Luis Suarez arrived at Barcelona to team up with Lionel Messi and Neymar, it was the Argentine who sacrificed his central position in what was the first step to form one of the most fearsome trios in football history.

One particular game early in the campaign saw Messi and Suarez wreak havoc when the Argentine forward moved out wide. He saw it too and immediately asked Suarez to play centrally while he used his dribbling prowess to cut in from the right.

The result? The trio scored a combined 122 goals and 66 assists in 2014/15 (in all competitions) with Messi bagging 58 goals and 31 assists.

But following Neymar's departure, Valverde moved Messi back to the centre, but in a withdrawn role. It was a familiar position in the 4-3-3 system - the False Nine role that made Messi courtesy of Pep Guardiola.

Under Luis Enrique, Messi's role had evolved from a wide forward to a more central role, crowding the box at times as a result and even playing in Suarez's zone. It was more out of necessity than invention to get Messi as close as goal to possible.

However, Valverde has been clear that Messi would now play in the centre with nobody but the defence to run at and weave his magic. As a result, Messi has now been involved in a goal every 60 minutes (5 goals and 1 assist in four league games and 8 goals overall).

2) Luis Suarez now pushed wide into the 'David Villa role'

Luis Suarez has his work cut out on the left for Barcelona

Suarez may be wearing the number 9 shirt at Barcelona but he may no longer play in that position unless Mess is rested or injured. Or unless Valverde decides to ditch the False Nine formation altogether.

Many expected Valverde to push Messi back to the right following Suarez's recovery from injury that saw him return to the side only for the Espanyol game (Barca's third league fixture). However, Valverde persisted with Messi in the centre with Saurez pushed to the left.

The impact on his performance was immediate. The Uruguayan striker initially struggled to get involved and did not have the pace to beat the full-back when he had the chance to get in behind the defence.

But that does not mean he will be restricted to the left side like Neymar. No, his role will see him drift into the centre when Messi drops deep to escape his marker. It was how he eventually managed to get on the scoresheet.

Suarez on the left is a throwback to David Villa in a similar role

It's designed to flummox the defence - do they drop back and mark him or do they step up and mark Messi? The tactics are designed to ensure at least one of Suarez and Messi find space to work with.

It's similar to David Villa's role when he thrived at Barcelona with Messi. He was either a serious goal threat or a foil for Messi to get into the box and do what he does best.

3) The return of high-intensity pressing

Barcelona's pressing tactics have improved under Valverde

If Enrique's sides were guilty of anything then it was their almost-lethargic attempts to win back possession after losing the ball. Once a hallmark of Barcelona sides that repeatedly won matches (and titles) under Pep Guardiola by starving opponents of both space and time on the ball, the past couple of years saw that intensity drop.

Not under Valverde. Barcelona don't "play defence" when they lose the ball now. Overwhelming their opponents is now their first line of attack. Under Enrique, they did press but in certain pockets only.

Now the entire team presses as a whole. Even Messi now tracks back in the middle of the pitch to put pressure on the ball-carrier. Did we ever see the Argentine forward work so hard off the ball under Enrique? It's something the rest of the team can also draw inspiration from.

They effectively put immense pressure on the player with the ball while simultaneously closing down any passing channels, forcing the rival into turnovers as they look to quickly get rid of the ball.

4) Ivan Rakitic awakens

Rakitic now has more freedom to play between the lines in midfield

Rakitic has had a career of ups and downs ever since signing for Barcelona from Sevilla in 2014. While the first season saw him become a hero in the treble-winning campaign, the last season saw him play a peripheral role, constantly struggling to make an impact from midfield.

Under Enrique, Rakitic wasn't played to his strengths. Without a specialist right-back in the side, he was forced out wide in right midfield a number of times so Messi could drift in to work with Suarez. Someone had to cover for his absence on the flank and the Croatian midfielder had no other choice but to step in.

As a result, his role became slightly diminished and Barcelona suffered from his reduced ability to create chances.

But with Messi now firmly in the False Nine role and a worthy right-back in Nelson Semedo patrolling the right flank, Rakitic has been able to focus all his energy on playing in the centre.

He now has the freedom to dictate play and also make off-ball runs into the box when Barcelona are in possession. The way he combined with Messi with a telepathic understanding to beat the offside trap is also promising.

5) Adapting to the loss of Neymar (so far)

Gerard Deulofeu has no qualms about playing second-fiddle to Messi

If there's one thing Valverde does not have that Enrique did for three seasons, it is Neymar Jr. The new Barcelona boss only had the opportunity to work with him on the Catalan club's pre-season tour. He watched from the sidelines as Neymar destroyed Madrid in the Clasico and then he was gone to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record €222m fee.

The trio of MSN was disbanded in the blink of an eye and Valverde initially struggled to cope without the Brazilian on the left. His loss was most evident when they struggled to find a way through Real Madrid's defence in the Supercopa de España.

Gerard Deulofeu was signed this summer and most fans expect him to be sold within a year at a profit. But with Suarez moving to the left and Messi to the centre, Valverde needed a right winger/forward and the Spaniard fit the bill.

Of course, Ousmane Dembele became the marquee signing and Valverde had managed to rotate them both well until the untimely injury to Dembele. The young Frenchman now requires surgery and will be out for 3-4 months - a hammer blow for Valverde and Barca.

Valverde will hope Dembele returns quickly for Barcelona

He had shown potential to mesh with Messi and Suarez in the derby against Espanyol. When he's back, his speed on the ball and quick dribbling skills to beat full-backs will create numerous opportunities for Messi from the right.

Neymar's loss may not be truly felt until Barcelona play tougher opponents (especially in Europe in the second half of the season) but they have already made mincemeat of Juventus in the Champions League.

But Valverde has convinced fans that all is not lost following his departure. Given time and the spotlight shifting back to Messi, Barcelona will thrive for the foreseeable future.