From it did a lot of seasons, the 4-3-3 was the basic diagram of the FC Barcelona. Many were the trainers that kept it: Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, Tata Martino... But Ernesto Valverde broke with the rule. The failure of the Barça in the Supercopa of Spain, trophy in which it was vapuleado by the Real Madrid, forced to the Txingurri to do some modifications.
The technician extremeño finish to lose to Neymar, by what the trident remained lame. The injury of Ousmane Dembélé left to the team without an attacker of sufficient level as to accompany to Leo Messi and to Luis Suárez near of the area, by what Valverde opted for sacrificing part of fantasy and add a man more to the centre of the field to add the consistency of the team.
In the new diagram of the Barcelona team, two men had to reinvent his football and turned into fundamental: Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. The Catalan was accustomed to handle the central circle only, whereas the Croat was used to to play more advanced. To improve the provision of the new 4-4-2, Valverde decided to approach his positions in the field until forming a double pivote.
The results did not do expect. The presence of a second man by in front of the defence freed physically to Sergio Busquets, that no longer has to cover so much field. By his part, now Ivan Rakitic can explode to the one hundred by one hundred all his offensive and defensive virtues, in a position that awards him the same freedom that antaño but with a lower wear.
Exultant in front of the Athletic of Madrid
In the decisive victory of the FC Barcelona against the Athletic of Madrid, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic showed the dimensions of his contribution to the team. The Catalan gave 63 passes with 93,7% of tarpaulin in front of the team colchonero. The Croat, by his part, delivered 84 passes with 89,3% and recovered nine balloons. Both protect the defence and contribute greater solidity to the game, but without renouncing to the football of touch and possession.