Expert analysis: What Barça can expect from Alaves tactically
Former Blaugrana striker Pichi Alonso takes a look at what we can expect from the Basques
Barcelona lost 2-1 at home and won 6-0 away against Alaves. Here is what tactical expert and former Barça player Pichi thinks they need to watch out for.
1. Block
Alaves work as a unit. Not one player stands above the rest in terms of quality, if we analyse the squad. Mauricio Pellegrino’s big achievement has been able to take so many new incorporations, including loans, and make them believe in the team and its chances. Their values of modesty, solidarity, spirit and sacrifice, humility, effort, desire and hunger to win have made them hard to beat.
2. Dead balls
They have in Ibai Gomez, a specialist at launching set pieces into the area. Being a right-footer from the left, with a good cross on him, he’s dangerous. Especially at set pieces in front of the area and with long shots.
3. Physical power
In Theo Hernandez they have power personified. His physique makes him hard to stop on the left flank. He arrives to the byline a lot and his crosses are extremely dangerous.
4. Base
They have a double pivot of Manu Garcia, the indefatigable captain, and Marcos Llorente, one of the sensations of the season. Both cover a lot of space when they need to defend, giving strength and security in the middle of the pitch, and can win the ball back very well.
5. Play between the lines
Camerasa is their specialist, who moves like a fish in water when it comes to finding space between opponents’ defensive lines, doing a lot of danger. He forms a triangle with the double pivote, and although he’s not agile or quick he is very smart and knows how to find dead space where he can receive the ball, without pressure, to create chances. Could be more accurate when it comes to attacking.
6. Defensive work on the wings
The wide midfielders, as shown at Camp Nou in La Liga, work extremely hard to help the full-backs have 2 on 1 superiority. Ibai, along with one of Edgar and Toquero, do the jobs of second full-backs, allowing the real full-backs play almost like centre-backs. It turns a defence of four into a defence of five or six at times.
7. Deyverson’s fight
He’s not a big goalscorer but forward Deyverson makes things constantly uncomfortable for opponents amor his capacity to fight and scrap for every ball that arrives in his vicinity. He does well in the air, good at flick-ons and teeing up team-mates. He often deals out more fouls than he receives and Barcelona won’t like battling with him.
