© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

Match analysis: PSG - Barcelona

Positive transition and individual quality were crucial

By Athanasios Terzis

PSG progressed against Chelsea with an outstanding performance, but had

to face Barcelona having many top players unavailable. On the other hand

Barcelona had all players available but on Saturday they lost a two goal lead

against Sevilla and a four point lead (they now have two) against Real Madrid.

Barcelona managed to achieve an outstanding score against PSG without

performing accordingly and unless a miracle takes place they will be in the

draw for the semifinals of the Champions League.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

1st Half: Positive transition for Barca gave them the lead

PSG: PGG started with a lopsided 4-3-3. Cavani was in the centre of attack

while Pastore took up a position on the left and in a more advanced position

than Lavezzi on the right. The last one was responsible for tracking Jordi

Alba’s forward runs (who was more attacking minded than Montoya on the

right) and was rather a side midfielder than a winger. During the defensive

phase PSG switched from 4-3-3 to 4-5-1 as Pastore followed many times

Montoya. However there were times that he stayed in advanced position

ready to take advantage of the available space behind the fullback of

Barcelona. Pastore’s positioning didn’t have the aim of forcing Barcelona’s

play towards the other side (left) but to exploit the available space behind

Barcelona’s fullback as well as to create an overload on the left of PSG. This

conclusion was made due to the fact that during the first half Pastore and

Lavezzi switched sides, however they maintained the same tactical approach

(Lavezzi followed Montoya and Pastore stayed higher leaving Rabiot to close

down Alba). The three midfielders Campaye, Matuidi and Rabiot together with

Lavezzi who helped them on the right, formed a team of four (sometimes five

with Pastore’s contribution) that tried to retain cohesion (small distances

between the players) in order to narrow the available passing lanes towards

Barca players placed between the lines. Matuidi a very physically strong and

quick player was placed on the left in order to double mark Messi together

with Maxwell when the Argentine was positioned near the side line on the

right. Cabaye at the same time was close enough to make it impossible for

Messi to drive the ball towards the inside and pass or take a shot on goal just

like the goal against Sevilla.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

The same tactical approach stood for the players on the right against Neymar,

as Rabiot tried to provide support to V.D. Wiel and prevent the Brazilian from

making driving runs towards the inside. As regards dealing with Messi, when

the last one was in possession in the centre, the closest to him midfielder tried

to put pressure on him and especially on his left foot, while the others

provided cover.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

When Messi moved in front of the midfielders of PSG without being in

possession, the closest to him midfielder (mainly Matuidi or Campaye) had to

shorten his distance from him, especially when Messi was placed in an

available passing lane. This was done in order to prevent him from receiving

and turning towards PSG’s goal. Finally when the Argentine was between the

lines (between midfielders and defenders) PSG’s midfielders tried to be aware

of his positioning and put him in their shadows in order to prevent him from

receiving.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

PSG waited for Barcelona to come within their defensive half or third. They

tried to retain always a compact formation to restrict space for Barca players

who struggled to retain possession when they tried to use their passing game

within limited spaces. As regards the attacking phase Blanc’s team switched

to a normal 4-3-3 as Pastore converged towards the inside and Lavezzi

moved forward and towards the inside to create space for V.D. Wiel. It was

obvious that they were searching for an opportunity to threaten Barca during

direct positive transition. If this wasn’t possible their aim was to take

advantage of the indirect positive transition by moving the fullbacks in

advanced positions (mainly Maxwell) and take advantage of Messi’s lack of

contribution during defending. PSG created 2 or 3 times a 3 v 3 situation

during the counter, but failed to make the appropriate decision. As regards

attacking during indirect positive transition, Blanc’s team tried to take

advantage of the overload created by Pastore, Maxwell and Matuidi on the

left. The ball was directed to Maxwell several times and as Montoya moved

forward to close him down, Matuidi found the available space behind him to

exploit, receive and make a cross. At the same time at least three PSG

players entered the box (Pastore, Kavani and Lavezzi).

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

Barcelona: Barca started with 4-3-3. Mascherano (in place of Mathieu) was

the only player that didn’t start the match against Sevilla. (Link:

http://soccerteamtactics.com/index.php/match-nalysis/european-leagues/252-

2015-04-13-15-13-53). Enrique’s tactical approach was more conservative as

the one against Sevilla, as not all three forwards stayed high. Neymar on the

left tracked V.D. Wiel, Suarez was between the two central defenders T. Silva

and Marquinhos, while Messi many times left Maxwell unmarked and moved

towards the centre to make it 2 v 2.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

Barcelona didn’t put a lot of effort in applying pressing, as the attacking

midfielders Iniesta and Rakitic avoided to move in very advanced positions to

close down Campaye, who was usually free of marking. Instead they left

Suarez to deal with him by trying to put him in his shadow. To deal with

Maxwell’s forward runs Enrique instructed Montoya to move forward and

close him down, but this stretched the defence of Barcelona as Busquets

didn’t have the appropriate synchronization to drop back and fill the gap as he

did against Sevilla and as he usually does. As regards the attacking phase

Barcelona tried to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. However they

couldn’t be creative through the centre as PSG players restricted the spaces

despite Messi’s frequent positioning in midfield. On the right Montoya didn’t

seem very comfortable when moving forward, so Barca had to take advantage

their left side and they did it as Iniesta, Alba and Neymar used combination

play and took advantage of the available space. From an attacking move on

this side came Messi’s shot on the post.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

As time went by, both teams tried to threaten through their left sides.

Barcelona with combination play involving Iniesta, Alba and Neymar while

PSG with the forward runs of Matuidi between the gaps created by Montoya’s

shifting away from his zone of responsibility. Barcelona managed to find PSG

unbalanced during positive transition, after regaining possession on the left by

Busquets while at the same time Marquinhos had moved forward and

Campaye had stayed back to retain balance. Busquets passed to Rakitic and

V.D. Wiel decided to move forward and put him under pressure, leaving

Neymar free of marking behind his back. This reaction unbalanced PSG as

when Messi received the pass from Rakitic a 3 v 2 situation was created.

Messi passed at the right time to Neymar and the last one didn’t miss the

chance.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

Then PSG tried to press higher but without putting much energy, so Barca

broke through them easily and moved the ball forward. Blanc switched sides

to Pastore and Lavezzi but the two players worked as they did before. Lavezzi

tracked Montoya when the last one moved forward and Pastore left Rabiot to

deal with Alba. This was an opportunity for Barca to take advantage of the

situation as the left was their stronger side, but they failed to do it and nothing

changed until the half time whistle.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

2nd Half: Individual quality of Suarez gave Barca a safety score

As soon as the second half started PSG searched with more intense the

equalizer, but without changing something tactically. Blanc took a risk in a

couple of cases as both fullbacks moved forward at the same time. The only

threat for Barca came with the shots outside the box, while both teams

continue to attack better on their left. PSG coach made their team more

attacking minded by switching Rabiot with Lucas (an attacking minded player)

while at the same time he switched to 4-4-2. Pastore took a position near

Cavani and Lavezzi moved on the left (Lucas was on the right).

However the team that managed to score the second goal was Barcelona.

This was achieved after an excellent individual action by Suarez on the left,

during which he left behind him three PSG players (David Luiz, Marquinhos

and Maxwell). PSG had to play their last card, so they pressed high by

moving close to Barcelona players while Matuidi shifted close to Mascherano

(who in the meantime was moved to a defensive midfielder’s position) and

Campaye stayed between Xavi and Busquets.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

Barcelona’s third was scored by Suarez after a combination play in the centre

which involved him and Mascherano. This goal gave Barcelona an extra

boost. The Catalans were far more comfortable during possession, even in

very tight spaces, during the last stages of the game and moved the ball with

ease among the disappointed PSG players, despite Mathieu’s own goal.

© Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015

Conclusion: Barcelona managed to take advantage of the positive transition

in order to score the opening goal, at a moment that the match seemed

balanced despite Barca’s domination in possession. Then the individual

quality of Suarez and the bad reaction of David Luiz in two duels against the

Uruguayan enabled the Catalan team to achieve a stunning score without

performing in a stunning way. PSG were probably affected by the many top

players who were unavailable, such as Ibrahimovic, Verati and they lost T.

Silva early in the first half. So they are travelling to Barcelona having only very

few chances to progress.