Why the false 9 system isn't as effective with the current Barcelona side

1st in La Liga, and 1st in the UEFA Champions League group; Ernesto Valverde surely has rejuvenated the Blaugrana side, and brought them back to where they belong after the dreadful 2016-17 season. Barcelona boast, arguably, one of the best defensive records in Europe this term, but how have they fared offensively?

Barcelona no longer look like the side they have been in the last decade, with the free-flowing goals. As a matter of fact, Barcelona have only scored 9 goals in the Champions League group stage, with 3 being own goals.

Even in La Liga, they haven't been scoring like they used to, and Luis Suarez has been struggling off late too. This begs the question, what has gone wrong? Is it the absence of Neymar? Or is it the new system under Ernesto Valverde?

Inception and reintroduction of the false 9 system at Barcelona

Valverde marked his entry as the new gaffer by reintroducing a tactic most Cules would be familiar with - the False 9. A system, where instead of a traditional striker or number 9, the team's centre-forward drops deep, almost into the midfield. So this unconventional dropping of the forward gave birth to number 9s cousin - the False 9.

Pep Guardiola is credited with first employing Lionel Messi in a false 9 role

The 4-3-3 False 9 was famously used by the eccentric Catalan genius, Pep Guardiola, during his time at Barcelona. The idea of deploying Lionel Messi, a right winger as a false 9 came to him the night before the famous El Clasico of 2nd May 2009.

He called Leo up at 10 PM and told him about his idea of playing Leo centrally, but not as a traditional centre-forward. Messi waited for the instruction that came in the 10th minute, and then swapped positions with Cameroonian poacher Samuel Eto'o.

Messi exploited the space between the midfield line and the defensive line of Real Madrid, leaving the Los Blancos' centre-backs baffled - they did not understand if they should go ahead to track Leo and isolate their partner, or stay back and look at Leo using the space and demolishing Real Madrid. The final score? Barcelona win 6 goals to 2 at the Bernabeu.

Guardiola's innovation was incredible, which probably became the underlying reason for Barcelona's immense success during his tenure. But it wasn't just because of Messi's talent and versatility - but the team as a whole.

Why the false 9 tactic worked for Pep Guardiola's Barcelona

The team could readily adapt to this new system. Barcelona boasted probably the best midfield trio in the history of football - Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Their passing, vision and gameplay complemented this new style of play.

Iniesta would assume a free role behind Messi, and Messi's transition to the deep helped Barcelona create more passing triangles and freeing up space in the final third. Another important aspect of Barcelona's game were the wingers - David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez.

Villa was known for his swift movement and dribbling, and his killer instinct in front of goal. So 2 things would normally happen: either a centre-back would go ahead towards the midfield to mark Messi, causing the right-back of the opposition to fill in that void at the heart of defence, thereby leaving Villa unmarked.

The False 9 system worked wonders when Lionel Messi was complemented by David Villa and Pedro

Someone would then unleash an excellent ball to Villa, who would rush into the D and shoot with utmost finesse. Or, Messi would be left unmarked with opposition defence in shape, leaving a lot of space for Leo Messi, who would dribble around and unleash a lethal shot.

What changed?

Now, Valverde has been trying this system with Barcelona, but isn't exactly getting similar results. This is because Barcelona no longer have players who would fit the 4-3-3 false 9 system, and complement Messi's free central position.

Firstly, the Barcelona midfield no longer are the force they used to be - a defensive minded workhorse in Ivan Rakitic and an ageing Andres Iniesta can no longer press or maintain the phenomenal triangles Xavi and Iniesta would make with Busquets, Leo or someone else.

Another major reason for the failure of the system is Luis Suarez. El Pistolero, as he is affectionately nicknamed by Cules, is no doubt one of the most lethal forwards in the world. He has consistently been amongst the elite in the last 5 years at least, scoring a record 31 goals in the Premier League with Liverpool and scoring for fun as MSN wrecked havoc in Europe in the last 3 years.

However, he cannot replicate the role Villa played for Barcelona as the left winger or inside forward, who would cut inside as Leo would free up space along his wing. Even though both of them are phenomenal strikers, they are very different in their approach. David Villa is more of a trequartista, who tries to make runs behind the defence and use his finesse shooting abilities to slot in the goals.

Suarez, on the other hand, is a buky striker, who uses his physicality to get out of one-on-ones with the last man and slot the ball in the far post, even in the tightest of situations.

Hence, Suarez could easily strive as a no.9 or even in a 2-striker partnership with a quicker partner like Sturridge, but just isn't meant for the left wing. Suarez is slower and has a heavier touch, due to which he fails to exploit the time and space provided by Messi's positional superiority.

Barcelona's lack of a proper right winger also affects their play, as Ousmane Dembele got injured early in the season and Gerard Deulofeu, who seems really promising at times, fails to provide the consistency of Pedro.

Hence, Messi as the false 9 probably does bring the best out in him, but having the proper team to complement the little magician is also vital in determining the success of the improvised 4-3-3 formation.