© EuroFootball.com
Recently, the main goal of Tito Vilanova, who has just become the head coach of "Barcelona", is a renewed game enriched with many new elements, aiming to surprise opponents while not losing the specific team style formed over many years.
The perfect opportunity to see this was in the first Spanish Supercup match against eternal rival Madrid "Real".
"What works well, should not be touched" - that's how one of the most popular football principles sounds.
T. Vilanova understands very well that he has become the successor of the man under whose leadership "Barcelona" demonstrated incredible football, although at the end of the season sensationally let slip the gold of the Spanish championship and missed out on the UEFA Champions League final.
As expected, in the first official matches of the new season against San Sebastian's "Real Sociedad" and Madrid's "Real", what the new strategist emphasized most while working with J. Guardiola was clearly evident: constant ball control, pressing opponents, open play, improved defense, and ultimately, tireless endurance and courage of the players.
However, T. Vilanova does not limit himself to just that, as he knows very well that some opponents, such as London's "Chelsea" or the same Madrid's "Real", found effective antidotes to the blue-garnet game last season and even forced them to play according to their rules using a very tough defense.
T. Vilanova quickly created previously untested game strategies, which began to shine during El Clásico.
It seems that these changes were vital for the team, as another football rule states: "Either change, or perish."
1. More shots from the depth of the field
By patiently restraining the urge to constantly move forward, "Barcelona" players focused more on the midfield and started threatening with dangerous shots beyond the penalty area. Xavi was perhaps the one who most successfully tried this, but other team players did not fall far behind.
It is not worth doubting that successfully executed passes have a significant importance for the team game: not only does the team's self-confidence increase, and the initiative is taken over, but the opponent is gradually intimidated and forced to realize that passes in the middle of the field can cause serious damage.
2. Long passes - the key to a swift attack
It is no secret that "Barcelona" players, after a series of short passes and finding a suitable opportunity, immediately launch a lightning-fast attack.
The danger is that opponents have long understood and learned to cover the most dangerous attackers. Thus, T. Vilanova remembered Javier Mascherano: his mastery of high passes can become an excellent start to a productive attack. This was evident in the first Spanish Supercup match against Madrid's "Real", when Pedro Rodriguez took advantage of Messi's pass to score a goal.
3. More freedom for the central defender
Playing against "Real", Gerard Pique made excellent use of every opportunity and easily crossed the field without major problems. Thus, the defender supported his teammates in attacking fearlessly, knowing that Sergio Busquets was always ready to cover the exposed back.
4. Confusion in the middle of the field
In the match against Madrid's "Real", S. Busquets' problem was highlighted, when he had to try to take the ball from the opponents and start an attack. This time, the opponents forced the safety to make mistakes much more often than usual.
This not only suggests that the team needs better mutual understanding and confidence, but also proves that "Barcelona" acquired Alex Song from London's "Arsenal" for a reason.
5. The controversial duo of Dani Alves and Jordi Alba
Watching these two capable defenders playing in both flanks, the question arises whether the players will be able to find harmony? Indeed, in the first duel with Madrid's "Real", Jordi Alba was not included in the starting lineup, and instead, Adriano, who paid more attention to defensive actions, replaced him.
It is evident that the team must find a playing balance, and constantly playing with two attacking full-backs can be overly risky.
6. Lionel Messi: too many missed free shots
Knowing the skills and mastery of the Argentine forward, it is easy to understand why he usually takes the ball when the team has a chance to attack dangerously in a set-piece situation. If L. Messi does not take advantage of all these opportunities, the team must find a substitute for him. In the match against Madrid's "Real," Xavi Hernandez often became that replacement.
7. Pass from the corner flag to the penalty area - a way to score a goal
It has become common practice that in many matches of the previous season, "Barca", especially when playing against physically strong opponents, did not even take corners and tried to simply play the ball into the box. In this aspect, the team's game has also noticeably changed - in the first Supercup match against "Real", all shots from corner flags were directed into the penalty area.
Undoubtedly, the new coach of Barcelona, titled as an expert in set-piece situations, has prepared more than one combination to create danger in front of the opponents' goal.
8. The goalkeeper's role is also very important
The new coach aims to strengthen the team's defense. This is especially needed in dangerous set-piece situations. A part of this plan became the more frequent departure of the team's goalkeeper Victor Valdes from the penalty area.
In the match against Madrid's "Real," the goalkeeper demonstrated special courage by playing a lot with his feet and successfully defending the goal from opponents' head shots. However, there were two fatal exceptions - the goal from Cristiano Ronaldo after a lifted corner and Valdes himself awkwardly played the ball and passed it to Angel Di Maria.
