Barça's 'anti-Bayern' plan to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League

FC Barcelona manager, Quique Setien, was honest and said his side weren't good enough to deal with high pressing as well as keeping hold of possession. It wasn't aimed at the quality of players at his disposal, which is undeniable, but rather the impact it would have on the team's fitness levels. Barça head into the match against Europe's in-form side after a tough match against Napoli. Bayern have the power and pace to overrun most teams in Europe and that's why Setien is likely to revert back to 4-4-2 to offer a more solid core to the team.

Setien is confident his side are good enough to beat Bayern but a lot of that will depend on Barça's fitness levels. It doesn't make sense to use three forwards if they are unable to get the ball up to them. This is why Barça are expected to revert back to 4-4-2, with Messi being free to roam behind Suarez, and sacrificing a forward for another midfielder.

The defence is expected to remain the same but Busquets and Arturo Vidal are available again after serving one-match bans against Napoli. They should come in to pack out the midfield with Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto. This would mean that Griezmann would drop to the bench. He's only recently come back from injury and wasn't at his best against Napoli.

Setien used this tactic against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, albeit with Arthur and Riqui as the extra man in midfield in each game respectively, but failed to win either of those contests. 

The plan is to keep hold of the ball, dominate the game and restrict a Bayern side which is extremely dangerous down both flanks. If that happens, they should be able to get the ball to Messi and Suarez more often and that greatly increases their chances of progressing in the competition.