Barcelona vs. Olympiakos: Valverde's doubts lie on the right wing
Roberto and Deulofeu did well off the bench at the Wanda on Saturday
The injury to Ousmane Dembele has left Valverde looking for solutions
The other game, after the game against Atletico Madrid, several Barcelona players seemed tired. Ernesto Valverde recognised as much in his press conference before Wednesday's Champions League game against Olympiakos .
THE GREAT ENIGMA
The right side is, surely, the great enigma of this Barça side. Since Ousmane Dembele got injured, Valverde has tried several options, but no one has managed to make the position their own.
Gerard Deulofeu was the first option. That's not strange because Valverde has insisted on the need to have players that will run at the opposition and unbalance the game.
Deulofeu's performance along with that of Sergi Roberto was one of the keys to turning things around against Atletico Madrid. Both could start against Olympiakos.
| Game | Player | Position | Result |
| Barça - R. Madrid | Leo Messi | Right wing | 1-3 |
| R. Madrid - Barça | Sergi Roberto | Right wing-back | 2-0 |
| Barça - Real Betis | Sergi Roberto | Right midfield | 2-0 |
| Alavés - Barça | Aleix Vidal | Right wing | 0-2 |
| Barça - Espanyol | Gerard Deulofeu | Right wing | 5-0 |
| Barça - Juventus | Ousmane Dembélé | Right wing | 3-0 |
| Getafe - Barça | Ousmane Dembélé | Right wing | 1-2 |
| Barça - Eibar | Gerard Deulofeu | Right wing | 6-1 |
| Girona - Barça | Aleix Vidal | Right wing | 0-3 |
| Sporting CP - Barça | Sergi Roberto | Right midfield | 0-1 |
| Barça - Las Palmas | Aleix Vidal | Right wing | 3-0 |
| Atlético - Barça | André Gomes | Right midfield | 1-1 |
DEFENSIVE PLAN
It's expected that the Greek side will play very defensively. And in that context, Roberto could offer more depth than Semedo. Valverde's encouraging the competition between these two by not having a fixed right-back week in, week out.
Both are playing well. Each one in their own way: Semedo is great in defence and has great pace, although he's lacking a little impact in attack.
In that regard, he has room to improve. Roberto, meanwhile, contributes in attack. Deulofeu can also be useful when it comes to opening up the pitch (Takis Lemonis could play a 5-4-1 formation).
MORE OPTIONS
Valverde's options for the right side don't end there: Denis Suarez has also been used there and it was Andre Gomes at the weekend. There are also doubts about the right central midfielder. Ivan Rakitic was there at Atletico and Paulinho came on in the second half. In theory, it doesn't seem like a game for the Brazilian -- he's more comfortable when it's end to end -- but his good performances deserve a start.
Paulinho, DELIGHTED
Paulinho spoke in the pre-game press conference and was delighted with his adaption to the team. Valverde, meanwhile, praised the Brazilian midfielder, highlighting his ability to attack the area and contribute from the bench.
He did not play in Lisbon, in the last Champions League game, and could get a chance tonight. Valverde's giving him minutes but he's not consolidated his place in midfield, where the hierarchy remains, with Iniesta, Busquets and Rakitic.
