Quique Setien: Yes, I think Barça have strayed from the original idea
The new Barcelona boss spoke to SPORT about the club's style
New Barcelona coach Quique Setien has told SPORT in an exclusive interview that he believes that Barcelona have started to lose their identity in recent years.
"I think they have moved away from the original idea," he said. "I have seen some aspects which have been maintained, but not others. I'm speaking as a spectator. I've watched Barcelona all my life. Xavi and Iniesta aren't here but you can play well without them. At Lugo, Las Palmas and Real Betis we tried it without Xavi and Iniesta."
Setien understands that there is little time to implement changes at the club, although he insists he will improve the team.
"There's no time here," he said. "The formation is important but not that important. The important thing is the concepts in each position on the pitch. That has to be integrated into the (players') heads. The players will develop when they understand it."
The coach admitted that he could play with a back three again when necessary: "When you ask them to play in another way, it's not easy to say this works and this doesn't. Against Valencia, we did things really well. We need to give it time. I don't rule out 3-4-3 or other formations depending on the game. We have to manage the players' minutes well."
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