'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Barcelona’s attacking movements
On Sunday, Barcelona were presented with the opportunity to go five points clear of Atletico Madrid. Though Barcelona didn’t set the world alight with their display, they just did enough to keep their lead at the pinnacle of the table intact.
By no means did Barcelona produce a vintage performance, yet the away side were quite swift with their attacking movements.
On several occasions, they created numerical advantages on the flanks, with one of them directly leading to Semedo’s goal.
Moreover, Barcelona used the tactic of making late runs from deep to perfection. The said strategy helped the visitors free Coutinho at least twice, while there were also instances of Suarez and Alba being sent clear.
Even though Barcelona don’t keep the ball for as long as some of their decorated predecessors, there is no denying that their movement off the ball is as splendid as ever.
The act of Messi dropping deep creates space all across the pitch, and with the Argentine blessed with unparalleled vision, Barcelona take advantage of the gaps more often than not.
On occasions, Barcelona struggled to get out of the defence, yet whenever push came to shove, they ensured their dazzling attacking play came to the fore.
When Barcelona pass and move with such efficiency, there aren’t many teams across Europe who can stop them. Thus Valverde would hope his charges can conjure similar showings when the business end of the season comes.
