Champions League 2018-2019 season semi-finals, 2nd leg,

Liverpool vs Barcelona (1st half report)

Giorgi Tavtavadze
Structural Dimension - Marc-André ter Stegen

Strengths:

• Reflexes
• Passing
• Ball-playing

Weaknesses:

• Concentration
Structural Dimension – Jordi Alba

Strengths:

• Holding on to the ball

• Key passes/assists

Weaknesses:

• Aerial duels
• Tackling
Structural Dimension - Gerard Piqué

Strengths:

• Passing
• Aerial duels

Weaknesses:

• Tackling
Structural Dimension - Clément Lenglet

Strengths:

• Passing

Weaknesses:

• Commits fouls often

Structural Dimension – Sergi Roberto

Strengths:

• Holding on to the ball

• Passing

Weaknesses:

• Tackling
Structural Dimension – Sergio Busquets

Strengths:

• Passing
• Through balls
• Ball interception

Weaknesses:

• Lack of pace
Structural Dimension – Arturo Vidal

Strengths:

• Passing
• Ball interception
• Blocking the ball

Weaknesses:

• Commits fouls often

Structural Dimension – Ivan Rakitic

Strengths:

• Passing
• Through balls
• Creativity

Weaknesses:

• Poor body orientation before receiving a pass

Structural Dimension – Philippe Coutinho

Strengths:

• Holding on to the ball

• Through balls
• Key passes
• Finishing
• Long shots
• Dribbling

Weaknesses:

• Aerial duels
Structural Dimension – Luis Suárez

Strengths:

• Finishing
• Long shots
• Headed attempts

Weaknesses:

• Offside awareness
• Defensive contribution
Structural Dimension – Lionel Messi

Strengths:

• Holding on to the ball

• Key passes
• Dribbling
• Direct free-kicks
• Through balls
• Finishing

Weaknesses:

• Aerial duels
• Defensive contribution
Barcelona - Phases

Barcelona functional dimension

• Offensive method – positional attack

Barcelona was trying to make positional attacks with short passes in “Tikitaka” style, but
because of Liverpool’s high pressing they very often had to make a long pass.

• Defensive method – pressing zone

Barcelona used pressing zone tactic from the middle of the pitch. Only several times Barcelona
tried to make high pressing.
Barcelona - Stages

Attacking 1st stage – trying to play short passes but because of high pressing from opponent have to play
often long balls.

Attacking 2nd stage – trying to make threat with fast dribbling of Messi-Suarez-Coutinho, or making long
pass. For example, great long pass of Busquets on Alba behind defenders.

Attacking creation – After long pass from Vidal, great combination of Coutinho and Rakitic and pass on
Messi who find free zone in penalty area. After receiving great pass from Busquets Alba didn’t shoot and
found Messi.

Striking – After combination of Coutinho and Rakitic good shot from Messi and Alisson made a good save.
After Alba’s pass left footed Messi didn’t shoot with right leg and lost great chance. Good chance for
Coutinho, after sprint from Messi, but Alisson was in a good position.
Defending balance

Defending balance is working really good. Defensive players are playing really compactly and especially
against Mane often was double defense from Sergi Roberto and Vidal. On the screen below Vidal is trying
his best to help fastly to Sergi Roberto and as a result Mane got only corner kick.
Transitions

Great Attacking/D transition from Barcelona. After losing the ball midfielders and fullbacks are moving fast
to the defense.

Good Defense/A transition helps Barcelona to make counter attacks. Coutinho-Messi-Suarez are moving
forward as fast as they can to find free zones in Liverpool’s defense.
Set pieces for

Corner kick (left side) – 5 players of Barcelona are inside the penalty area and only Lionel Messi is waiting
a chance outside the penalty area. Goalkeeper and 3 players are in defensive role.

Corner kick (right side) – 5 players of Barcelona are inside the penalty area. Lionel Messi moves to the
right wing, receives pass and makes a cross in penalty area.
Set pieces against

Corner kicks – goalkeeper and 9 players are defending (individual defending plus some of them are free and controlling
zone) and only Lionel Messi is near the middle of the pitch