XAVI HERNANDEZ'S 4-3-3 DOMINANT BEAST TACTIC

Barcelona Team Analysis

Barcelona today is quite different from its tiki-taka glory days but remains a highly technical team with a clear, structured playing style. Their tactical approach aligns with their long-standing possession-based and positional play philosophy. With Xavi, the mastermind of that tiki-taka era, now managing the team, their approach continues to reflect that tradition. Barcelona rarely disposes of the ball aimlessly; they are adept at finding close solutions, maintaining possession under pressure, and progressing the ball on the ground to create space and opportunities. Even the goalkeeper plays a crucial role in this, often participating in build-up play, which makes him an integral part of the team's strategy. The team is very offensive, with several players skilled at finding the back of the net.

Possession Phase

Build-up

Barcelona always starts building from the back, with the two central defenders spreading wide and the goalkeeper involved in the initial play. They use the full width of the field, with full-backs positioned on the touchline to maximize the width of their build-up. It’s rare to see the goalkeeper making long goal kicks; instead, Ter Stegen, who has a strong kicking ability, looks for Lewandowski’s head in such cases.

Development

During the build-up phase, two of the three midfielders drop deeper, with Romeu coming centrally to receive the ball and Gundogan dropping to the left side of the defense. This allows Balde, who is quick and effective in attacking spaces, to make runs down the left flank. The play often develops along the flanks, with midfielders quickly looking for wide attackers who are skilled at challenging opposing full-backs.

Wide Play

Barcelona's wingers, such as Ferran, Joao Felix, Yamal, and Raphinha, are fast and explosive, making the flanks their main weapon. They start wide and are not afraid to take on defenders, often creating numerical superiority with full-backs who overlap effectively.

Finishing

In the absence of a striker like Lewandowski, other players often occupy the space where a central forward would typically operate, drawing a defender and creating a false 9 scenario. The third midfielder, usually Gavi, takes on a playmaker role, supporting the central attacker and looking to capitalize on crosses from the wings. Crosses are particularly dangerous with Lewandowski in the box, as he has a knack for scoring from various positions and angles.

Defensive Phase

Initial Defensive Action

Barcelona's forwards immediately pressure the opponent's ball carrier to force long passes. Regardless of the opponent's response, the central forward covers the two central defenders, while the wide attackers pressure the full-backs.

Midfield Analysis

One midfielder is tasked with marking the opponent's playmaker, no matter where they are on the field. Barcelona’s midfielders are aggressive and aim to disrupt the opponent's play, though this can leave gaps in midfield due to the large area covered by only three players.

Defensive Line Analysis

Barcelona employs a very high defensive line, keeping the team compact and unified. They focus on marking opponents closely and often force the opposition into offside positions due to their well-coordinated four-man defense. Central defenders close down the full-backs with short diagonals, ready to cover if their teammate is bypassed.

Defensive Width

Barcelona’s defensive units work well together, with high-lying wide players contributing to defensive duties. Full-backs like Balde and Cancelo are more offensive than defensive, being fast but not very physical. They struggle to cover crosses from the opposite side effectively, which can be exploited with high, well-positioned attackers.

Transitions

Positive Transition

Upon regaining possession, Barcelona quickly transitions vertically. The player who recovers the ball looks to immediately advance it to the wide areas or dribble quickly towards the opponent’s goal. They are particularly fast in these transitions, with Gavi being notably effective at winning and carrying the ball.

Negative Transition

Barcelona aims to recover possession as swiftly as possible, keeping their defensive line advanced and coordinated. They press the opponent immediately, ensuring the team remains compact and prevents the opponent from spreading the play.

HOW TO REPLICATE THIS TACTIC IN FOOTBALL MANAGER 2024

In Football Manager 2024 we can replicate this tactic starting with a 4-3-3 formation and a positive mentality. 

In possession, the attacking width is fairly wide, width is provided by the two full-backs who push a lot forward. To retain possession even more, I set up the passing directness to much shorter, this to avoid passing mistakes. Tempo is slightly lower, not too low. Of course, playing out from defense is a crucial instruction in this tactic, besides Xavi wants his players to focus play in the middle and overload the central areas. Crosses are low, and work the ball into the box is another important instruction. Finally, more expressive allows our players to give free rein to their skills. 

In transition, as a Guardiola's former player, Xavi also likes to win the ball back as soon as possible, so counter-press is a key instruction. I did not choose to hold shape or counter because I want our players to decide according to the situation. Goalkeeper will roll the ball out to the central defenders.

Finally, out of possession, the defensive line is higher and pressing line is high too, trigger press is much more often and of course it's important to select prevent gk short distribution. 

Let's now examine players roles and instructions. 

Ter Stegen: sweeper-keeper (support), Kounde: wing-back (attack), Araujo: central defender defend: take fewer risks, stay wider, mark tighter, same role and instructions for Christensen, Baldè: wing-back attack cross less often, dribble less, shoot less often, stay wider, De Jong: deep-lying playmaker (defend), Gavi deep lying playmaker (support): stay wider, run wide with the ball, dribble more, Pedri mezzala (attack), dribble more, run wide with the ball, shoot less often, Lamine Yamal inside forward attack stay wider,  Fati inside forward (attack) sit narrower, shoot more often, Lewandowski deep-lying forward, (attack) dribble more roam from position, shoot less often, he will drop deep and link the play