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#4 Valverde's safe selections fail to pay off
Barcelona's conservative approach under Ernesto Valverde has come in for some criticism in recent months, particularly when they struggle to beat teams who set up to defend and physically impose themselves in midfield.
We've seen it against Athletic Bilbao, Girona, Valencia, and Inter Milan already this season - teams are gradually getting better at frustrating Barca under this existing tactic, which is predictable and rather has flexibility under Valverde.
The 4-3-3 formation has its strengths and weaknesses. But against a Lyon side with Aouar and Ndombele in midfield, picking Sergi Roberto over Arturo Vidal or Philippe Coutinho is questionable.
Sergio Busquets is a deep-lying midfielder, while Ivan Rakitic has shown the capability to both attack and defend - though he's better suited further forward. Why pick the safe option? Malcom was again an unused substitute, but in a game where they were dominant as time wore on, why not introduce the Brazilian winger to further stretch Lyon's backline?
Coutinho did more in less than half-an-hour than Dembele in 65 minutes, with the Frenchman's decision-making again coming into question. Why was the substitute not made earlier? These safe decisions ultimately cost the visitors what would have been a valuable away goal.
