3 ways Barcelona can line-up in the 2018/19 season

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The Catalan giants won the La Liga and Copa Del Rey title last season. Ernesto Valverde predominantly played a 4-4-2 formation last season. Though it was not as flashy as a 4-3-3 they played under Pep, it was really effective and yielded good results.

The Catalan giants are playing a waiting game in the transfer market. Andres Iniesta left the club and Paulinho was loaned out to his former club, Guangzhou Evergrande. Also, Gerard Deulofeu was sold to Watford. The Blaugrana are looking to off-load Andre Gomes as well. 

There are a couple of big money arrivals at the Camp Nou. Clement Lenglet arrived for a fee of € 35.9 million from Sevilla and Arthur arrived from Gremio for a fee of around € 40 million. Coutinho is expected to play a huge role in his first full season at the club.

Ousmane Dembele will look to justify his huge price tag after a disastrous 2017/18 campaign. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are expected to lead the line with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen between the sticks. 

On that note, let’s take a look at the three ways Barcelona can line-up in the 2018/19 season

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#1) 4 – 4 – 2

Ever since Ernesto Valverde arrived at the Camp Nou, 12 months ago, Barcelona’s way of playing football has changed dramatically. Unlike Pep Guardiola or Luis Enrique, Valverde relies a lot on balance and defensive stability.

The Catalan giants are one of the best defensive units in Europe’s top five leagues, thanks to the approach of Valverde. However, the attacking football that we witnessed under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique has disappeared.

4-4-2 formation has been the most used one by Ernesto Valverde last season. Valverde is not expected to make major changes to his tactics for the 2018/19 season. Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic could partner in the central midfield with Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele on either side.

Messi and Suarez at the top and Clement or Umtiti will partner Gerard Pique at the back. Jordi Alba will start as a left back while Nelson Semedo or Sergi Roberto will start on the right. 4-4-2 gives him enough protection at the back and allows him to control games. 

#2) 4 – 3 – 3

This was the second-most used formation by Ernesto Valverde during the 2017/18 season. The arrival of Ousmane Dembele has allowed him to play three up front.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Ousmane Dembele played as a front three on numerous occasions last season. Expect them to partner more frequently this season. 

With the departure of Andres Iniesta and Paulinho, Ivan Rakitic, Philippe Coutinho, and Sergio Busquets form the midfield trio. Also, they have Arthur as a backup to play in the central midfield.

Sergi Roberto can also occupy the position. Valverde has quite a few great options at the back. He has four quality centre-backs, two great goalkeepers and right-backs.

#3) 4 – 2 – 3 – 1

4-2-3-1 has become a standard formation in modern-day football. Managers like Jose Mourinho has used it to great effect in European football in the last 10 years. Valverde has tried this formation on a couple of instances in La Liga last season.

This formation gives him the stability and balance he always craves for. Rakitic and Busquets will have to play as a defensive midfielder.

This will allow their full-backs to go forward as Busquets provides the defensive cover at the back. Rakitic will play a free role in the middle of the park as the situation demands.

His work-rate will allow him to help defenders and at the same time, go forward and support his attackers. Suarez will play up front and Messi slots behind him. Coutinho and Dembele are expected to play either side of the Argentine.