The winners & losers of Barcelona's new system under Valverde

Toni Juanmartí

22/08/2017 Upd. at 15:37 CEST

The use of 4-2-3-1 is good for some players but bad for others

Valverde stresses that his players press high when they lose the ball

Maybe later than would have been ideal, but Ernesto Valverde is still looking to complete his puzzle. After a summer which saw Neymar depart and -- so far -- no replacements come in, the 'Txingurri' is looking for a system which provides consistency and defensive balance. That's why he tried out the 4-2-3-1 which served him well at Athletic Club.

But who wins and who loses in Barça's new system? Which players have benefitted from it? Have others been affected?

BRINGING THE BALL OUT

Playing with two deeper midfielders makes it easier to bring the ball out. Previously, teams have tried to get at Barça by pressing them high and taking Sergio Busquets out of the game. Often, that meant Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to go long. With Busquets and Rakitic or Paulinho, the centre-backs will have more solutions.

FUll-backs, free to push

Jordi Alba and Nelson Semedo, the two starting full-backs, must be celebrating. The system gives them free range to attack their flank. Now, they have two midfielders who can cover them when they go forward in attack.

A BREATHER FOR busquets and rakitic

If Valverde sticks with the new system, Sergio may be happy. In recent years he's been crowded out too often, left on his own with too much defensive work to do. Sharing the role as part of a double pivote, his defensive work reduces. Remember that, despite palying in midfield, Rakitic has had to sacrifice himself at time by taking on a lot of defensive duties on the right.

DEMANDS ON THE MEDIAPUNTAS

With no interiors in this system, the mediapuntas must work hard. Not just to cover their 'full-back', but to close the pitch and put pressure on when the ball is on the other wing. With the ball, they always have to offer themselves, too. Therefore, Sergi Roberto, Deulofeu, Rafinha, Denis Suárez, Arda Turan, André Gomes and Aleix Vidal will have to be well prepared physically.

LESS MOVEMENT

In contrast to 4-3-3, the positions in a 4-2-3-1 are fixed. There's some freedom, but organisation is a priority. That means it becomes less easy for the opponent to counter-attack. But that also means Barça are relying on individuals to unbalance the opposition defence.

Meanwhile, there's also less movement between the lines in three quarters of the pitch. If before the team had two interiors, now there's just a No.10.