The keys to the Quique Setien Barcelona revolution
The coach has already started making changes at Camp Nou having been in charge under a week
New coach, new life. Quique Setien took over from Ernesto Valverde and won his first game 1-0 against Granada. There has already been a small revolution, with plenty of changes. Here is what we have seen...
1. Leo Messi's position
Leo is Leo and has liberty to move where he likes. Setien restored him to the false nine role that he was first deployed in by Pep Guardiola. He associated with Antoine Griezmann, opened space for Arturo Vidal and came deep too, as he likes to do.
2. Utter control, utter possession
Barcelona had up to 85 per cent possession in some phases of the game, in the end finishing on 83 per cent. Something we haven't seen since Pep's time in charge. Control of the game with the opponent exasperated. Barcelona slow cooked Granada with Busquets a protagonist.
3. Confidence in homegrown talent
Setien arrived and used eight La Masia graduates in his first game. He started with six and brought on Riqui Puig and Carles Perez. Messi, ALba, Pique, Sergi Roberto and Busquets are famously Masia-made, while Ansu Fati also started. Identity will be vital.
4. Asymmetric full-backs with new roles
Jordi Alba became a winger when Barcelona had the ball, with Sergi Roberto, the other full-back, dropping in as a third centre back. However Quique is certain that the Spain left-back will not get tired out. "I'm sure he's not running moe than usual. We spoke during the week. If we press higher and he rises up and the defence is higher, he doesn't have to run 40 or 50 metres back in each move to get his position back."
5. Busquets, back to Pep's time
It was delightful to watch Sergio yesterday. He was back in his Pep pomp, giving more passes than the whole of Granada put together. He was a protagonis on the ball. The team pressed more aggressively higher upand he was the octopus, recovering the ball and spinning it out again. Great news.
On the downside...
Barcelona lacked the ability to unpick the lock until Granada were reduced to 10. They need more dynamism, ideas and chances. And, of course, goals.
Griezmann was not at his best in front of goal and Rui Silva didn't have many saves to make. We'll have to see how they cope with Suarez's absence going forward...
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