Embarrassing moment for Barcelona

Embarrassing. That is a correct word that perfectly describe Barcelona, as they have admitted that their tactics are the best in the world, only because they won to Man Utd last season.

With the big nose pointed to the sky, Barca have shown a great game play against Inter Milan,changing their plan a little bit by forcing Ibrahimovic to play more on the right-sided wing,while pushing Messi to play more in the center. They've got so many chances, but Julio Cesar was a very great keeper, acted as a savior for Inter Milan.

The game was too boring, Barca played with the same style as usual, setting 4-3-3 formation as their key to play against Inter. Having Pedro and Yaya Toure in the squad was a big mistake for Barcelona, because Pedro can't deliver beautiful crosses from the left side of the field, as he failed to use his left leg well. Yaya Toure also have made wrong desicions by shooting fromdistance, but all shoots were off-targeted.

However, well done to Gerard Pique for his turning-skill before scoring the single goal of the game. I think that Pique should have played as a midfielder, not a defender, but thanks to Man Utd for polishing his talent.

Inter Milan also got great defenders like Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti, and Maicon whose being the great wall for Inter Milan. Maicon is a great player with the ability to defend and attack well, and he also has made the difference to the squad. He is the most brilliant player of Inter Milan.

Don't forget to watch the highlights of the game on your left hand side of this page. ENJOY!

Barcelona Tactics (Formation,Passing,and Attacking)

Formation

Barca uses 4-3-3 formation in all their matches. The formation contains 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, 2 wingers and a striker.
Goalkeeper : Victor Valdes
Fullback Left : Eric Abidal
Fullback Right : Dani Alves
Central Defenders : Gerard Pique
Carles Puyol (C)
Midfielders : Iniesta,Xavi,Seidou Keita
Winger (Right) : Lionel Messi
Winger (Left) : Pedro/Henry
Striker : Ibrahimovic

Passing Style
Barca usually use direct low pass between the team-mates. The players get two touches of the ball before they pass the ball to the other players.(They stop the ball passed by the other player, then they now have two choices;either pass the ball,or run with the ball)

In this team,they will use Xavi to do a great through pass to the forwards, and iniesta to dribble more with the ball at the midfield. The midfielders will coorporate with the fullbacks in attacking phase.They will use the through ball to move the ball to the wings. Then the fullbacks will move forward and pick up the ball.

Below is an example of barcelona passing style.


Barca will always switch the sides to look for the chance and availability to bring the ball upfront.They will pass to the left side of the field or the right side of the field.
Barca prefer to do through passes to pass the ball from the midfielder to the attackers,while from the wings,low crosses were chosen to pass the ball to the striker. Rarely the players use high pass,because the players can easily get the ball if low passes are used.

Attacking
In attacking phase, there are two defenders would be allowed to go forward to join the attack:which are left-sided and right-sided fullbacks. The function of the fullbacks moving forward are to cover up the wings when they are not in their position.

The midfielders usually will stay in the center to handle up the job from the midfield.When the ball comes,the midfielders will have three choices;pass the ball,dribble with the ball or make a shoot from outside the box. Barca hate to do attacking such in rush,so they have taken a safe way by moving the ball among the players,before they make a through ball to the strikers and wingers,after realising that the space between the opponent's defender is big.However,the ability of the players will decide which action should be taken by the players.The player like iniesta,would have dribble to find the space before pass the ball back,while the player like Xavi who has known as the 'master of pinpoint passer',would like to give the beautiful passes to the attackers,which can break the defenders of the opponent side into two parts.

The wingers are likely to dribble and cut inside,where they can shoot by using their preferred foot.They are always coorperating with the fullbacks to cover up their positions when they are cutting inside.Messi is used on the right sided wing,so that he can shoot more by using his preferred-left foot,while henry is used as the left winger,so that he can use his right foot.However,when the ball reaches to the feet of the wingers,they may have two choices,either cut inside or pass the ball to the nearest helping fullbacks.The fullbacks are the one who will give the cross over the head height to the attackers.

Striker will only move in the front,waiting for a great pass from the other players,but the striker should have a great creativity and dribbling ability to get past the defenders.Ibrahimovic is a great striker who is able to finish the high pass,and collect the ball easily,using his tall body.He has a great pace,and he is also a frightening sharpshooter.

- Iniesta (AM) move forward to the left,and the defenders will get closer to him,then he will passthe ball to Xavi(Right MC),when the space between the defenders get bigger.

-Xavi will bring the ball a little bit forward and use a through pass to pass the ball to Ibrahimovic(S) or Messi(WGR) or Dani Alves(FBL) depends on the condition.

-Messi will run to the left and try to cut inside to the penalty box.If it is difficult to get inside the box,he will pass the ball to the midfielders back.Sometimes,he moves forward from the right side and try to get a low pass to Ibrahimovic.

-Henry(WGL) will run forward on the left,pick up the ball and try a cross to the center,or try to cut inside like Messi does.If he cuts inside,he will try to shoot from distance.

-Ibrahimovic will stand by the left side of the penalty area,and if the ball reaches upfront,he will run to the right to pick up the ball.

The title race is still open

Man Utd exerted more pressure on Chelsea by winning 3-1 against Tottenham Hotspur in the past match, but Chelsea have shown their potential to be the champions by winning 7-0 to Stoke City.

Separated by only one point,any mistakes made by Chelsea would allow Man Utd to have the chance to win the league.

7 goals scored by Salomon Kalou, Frank Lampard and Daniel Sturridge have warned the other club of their power to grab the title from Man Utd.

Look left, and check out the highlights.