Xavi's doubt ahead of Real Betis: Four at the back or 3-4-3?
The coach has changed his system in his first three games in charge thus far
Barcelona take on Real Betis on Saturday at Camp Nou in the fourth game of the Xavi era. Manuel Pellegrini’s team visit the Blaugrana in the penultimate game before the Catalans’s ‘final’ in Munich.
The line up from Xavi will be awaited eagerly. After a 3-4-3 against Benfica, the coach turned to a four man defence against Villarreal. However the right flank was problematic.
Barcelona could not beat Benfica but the performance was good. They used four midfielders and Gavi as a false winger, it allowed them to pen back Jorge Jesus’s men.
However, the 4-3-3 against Villarreal, with Eric Garcia as an improvised right back, did not work well. The team could not get on top in the game, especially in the second half where the hosts threatened Barcelona.
The lack of options on the right could lead Xavi back to the 3-4-3. Sergino Dest is still recovering, Sergi Roberto will need surgery on a thigh problem. The only natural option is Oscar Mingueza, although he struggled there against Espanyol too.
We’ll have to see what Xavi does and if he’s got one eye on the clash with Bayern Munich. A three-man defence against the Bavarians would be risky.
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