LaLiga 2019/2020: 5 possible attacking combinations for Barcelona next season

Antoine Griezmann's arrival at Barcelona was one of the more protracted and controversial moves of the transfer window, and with reports of Atletico Madrid having taken Barcelona to the LaLiga authorities, the last could possibly not have been heard of this deal.

However, beyond the furor generated by his arrival, the 28-year-old is a player of undeniable quality, and if he performs at the level expected of him, Barcelona would undoubtedly count the gains of signing him despite the huge amount and shenanigans involved in getting the deal over the line.

His arrival however presents a tactical conundrum for Ernesto Valverde, as he must find a system which fits in Griezmann with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, while also maintaining a balance in the rest of the squad.

The attack of any team is crucial to its chances of success, as goals essentially win matches and attackers are the ones primarily charged with scoring them, and for this reason, Barcelona must get it right in this department if they are to reach their lofty ambitions for next season.

In this piece, we highlight five different attacking systems which Ernesto Valverde could deploy next season, as well as the attendant risks and rewards associated with each formation.

#1 Suarez leading the line in a classic 4-3-3

Griezmann would be deployed on the left of Barcelona's classic 4-3-3

This system is the most traditional Barcelona formation, and it has three forwards lining up ahead of a V-shaped midfield.

Griezmann's arrival would see him slot out wide in attack, and fans would be hoping his performance in this role would be more akin to that of Neymar in the famed 'MSN' trilogy than the struggles experienced by Dembele and Coutinho in the last two years.

The advantage of this system is that it has been tried and tested at Barcelona for the last decade.

When defending, Griezmann would drop back onto the left side of midfield, while Rakitic or Sergi Roberto cover for Messi on the right to form a mid-block 4-4-2.

When defending, Griezmann would drop back to midfield to form a mid-block 4-4-2

There are a number of drawbacks to this system, the first of which is that this is not Griezmann's best position, while there is also no guarantee that his fortunes in this role would be any different to that of Coutinho and Dembele.

#2 Messi and Suarez leading the line in a 4-4-2 system

Ernesto Valverde could also resort to a formation which is gradually going extinct despite enjoying immense popularity less than a decade ago.

This system would see Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez deployed as central strikers, with Griezmann operating as a left midfielder and Dembele complementing him on the other flank.

This would have the concordant effect of Barcelona having to play with an alien (to their style) system of just two midfielders, as one would have to drop out for the two wingers to be accommodated.

While this system would ensure Barcelona maintains defensive solidity (which Valverde prioritizes), its work-ability is highly debatable for many reasons.

For starters, Barcelona have operated with three in the middle for as long as anyone can remember, and trying to rework a system inbuilt in their DNA could be counterproductive.

Secondly, this formation requires pacy wingers who are adept at crossing the ball and while Dembele might be a speedster with pace to burn, the same cannot be said about Griezmann, and neither of them are particularly adept crossers.

Lastly but by no means least important, the very essence of this system is to have two central strikers who are physical in the box and dominant in the air and neither traits are exactly what you would describe Messi and Suarez with (although you could make a case of physicality for Suarez), making this formation virtually unworkable.

#3 Messi occupying the 'hole' behind Griezmann and Suarez in a 4-3-1-2

Messi could play as a number 10 behind Suarez and Griezmann

Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann could be tasked with leading the line, with Messi dropping in behind centrally, and with the traditional three-man midfield maintained.

On paper, this looks this an attacking system which would be seamless, but a deeper incursion reveals underlying issues within this framework.

While it might seem that this system plays to Messi's strengths; as the Argentine is at his destructive best when played centrally, it is pertinent to note that on the occasions when Messi was deployed through the middle, it was almost always as a false nine.

Messi in a false nine role presents a dilemma for opposition defenders, as they are usually caught out between coming out to mark him and leaving space behind them, or maintaining their defensive lines and allowing the Argentine maestro to come at them with plenty of space.

The 32-year-old's ability means that either course of action is tantamount to danger, as if the defenders come out to mark him, Messi's exquisite passing could be exploited by his teammates who would possibly be occupying the spaces left behind in the box.

If the defenders maintain their positions, this essentially invites Messi to run at them, and we know his capabilities when given space and time to shoot.

In this variation however, Messi would have not one but two teammates ahead of him, and this coupled with the requisite two central opposition defenders and one or two holding midfielders means that the middle of the field would be extremely choked by at least five or six players, and this therefore, limits the Argentine's creativity.

Also, Barcelona would have virtually no wing presence in this system, piling more pressure on their full-backs, as they would not have anyone to provide protection ahead of them.

Finally, while Griezmann might have led the line on occasions for Atletico Madrid, he usually did so alone or behind the main striker, and it is highly unlikely that either him or Messi would prosper in this system.

#4 Griezmann on the right flank of a 4-3-3 formation

Messi could lead the line in a 'false 9' role

This is a slight variation to the first formation highlighted, as it would see Griezmann switch roles to occupy the right flank.

Dembele would replace him on the left, while Messi occupies the central attacking berth in a false nine role.

Obviously, Luis Suarez would be dropped out of the starting lineup and quite whether Valverde would have the guts to do this is an entirely different issue.

There are a number of pros to this system, as it is a win-win for all three parties involved in attack for Barcelona.

For starters, Messi played some of the best football of his career under Guardiola in this system and as highlighted in the previous slide, his deployment in this role creates multiple headaches for opposition defenders.

He is most likely to drop deep into attacking midfield, dragging the central defenders out of position and allowing the likes Griezmann and/or Dembele could run in behind and take advantage of the space left in the box.

Messi could drop deep into midfield, drawing out defenders, allowing Griezmann and Dembele exploit the spaces in behind

It also plays to Griezmann and Dembele's strengths, as their roles in inverted wing positions implies they can always cut back onto their stronger foot. (although Dembele is very much ambipedal)

The only drawback to this system is the benching of Suarez, as this is likely to be an unpopular decision.

#5 Griezmann leading the line in an alternative 4-3-3

Griezmann would operate as a number 9 in this system at the expense of Suarez

Another system that would see Luis Suarez dropped to the bench is a third variation of the 4-3-3, only that this time, Griezmann would be leading the line.

For many reasons, this represents the best system that Valverde could deploy next season, with the only feasible drawback being the exclusion of Luis Suarez. (as explained in the last slide)

Ernesto Valverde is a highly pragmatic coach, and this formation would help Barcelona maintain defensive solidity, as Griezmann's would continuously press opposition defenders and drop back to act as the first line of defense; neither of which Suarez offers as well while leading the lines.

Messi would operate in the role he has played for the last five seasons - out wide on the right - while Dembele would occupy the left berth of attack, bringing frenetic pace to the table. (which is a key strength that cannot be attributed to Suarez or Griezmann)