FC Barcelona: A Tactical Analysis - Defending
A Team from Another Planet!
A Tactical Blue-Print of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona Team
This book is an exclusive and groundbreaking study of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team.
This information and analysis of one of the most successful club sides in history has been in high demand and it is finally here!
The defensive part of Barcelona’s game does not get enough attention, but is integral to their philosophy and all their superior style of play.
The main elements of their tactics include pressure high up the pitch, winning the ball back quickly, maintaining a numerical advantage around the ball zone and pushing their opponents wide to limit their space.
We can now see a full analysis of Barcelona’s defensive tactics which have been so important to their success. The book shows Barca’s 4-3-3 system of play, each player’s responsibilities, positioning and movement within every possible phase of play.
Terzis Athanasios is a Tactical Professor of Football and has compiled an extensive assessment of Barcelona’s attacking play after over 1000 hours of studying all the games from the 2010-11 season. Guardiola’s team has won 3 La Liga championships, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 4 Spanish Cups, 2 Super Cups, and 2 FIFA World Club World Cups.
The book starts with the characteristics of the players and the philosophy of Barcelona and builds into a comprehensive overview of the defensive tactics employed with clear diagrams and detailed descriptions.
Included:
Strategies used to counter specific formations (the 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1, 5-3-2 and the 4-3-2-1).
Assessments of specific phases of play (central zone, near the side-lines and set plays).
Pressure, cover and support from front, middle and defensive zones
Preventing and limiting opposition space
Defending from set-pieces
Plus a lot more - SEE FULL BOOK CONTENTS BELOW
This gives football coaches an unbelievable chance to learn how Barcelona play and adapt their tactics to combat any team they play. Their defensive work is so important to their success and allows them to be such a strong attacking force.
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(Note: Actual Printed Book is in Black and White) |
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| Book Contents |
Chapter 1
The characteristics of Barcelona players
The Player Profiles
Pep Guardiola
2010/11 Season 4-3-3 System of Play and Player positions |
Chapter 7
Barcelona in the defensive phase against the 4-3-2-1
Preventing numerical dominance in midfield
Tracking players and preventing short passes
Intelligent positioning to prevent vertical passes |
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Chapter 2
The philosophy of Barcelona
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Chapter 8
Barcelona in the defensive phase against the 5-3-2
Man Marking
Utilising the spare man in midfield; double marking
Attacker’s defensive work to maintain cohesion |
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Chapter 3
Barcelona in the four phases of the game
Barcelona in the defensive phase
Barcelona in the transition from attack to defence
Barcelona in the attacking phase
Barcelona in the transition from defence to attack |
Chapter 9
Barcelona in the defensive phase against the 4-3-1-2
Getting three players around the ball carrier; regaining possession
Pushing high up the pitch to mark free players
Denying space for potential receivers of the ball |
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Chapter 4
Barcelona in the Defensive phase
The chain reaction of the midTelders and the forwards
The chain reaction of the defenders
Cohesion between the back four and the defensive midfielder
Pressure, cover and support in wide areas
Tactical movement: Offside line
Keeping the ball near the sideline and preventing the switch of play
Pressing high up the pitch towards the sideline
Closing passing options inside; forcing play down the line
The second line of defence
Limiting the space for the wide player in possession |
Chapter 10
Tactical situations where the pressing application was not possible
Defenders
The opposition create space down the flank to attack
Defending a long kick to the centre of the field
Midfielders
Defending against a central midTelder with space to create
Defending the long ball into the attacker
Midfield cohesion around the ball zone
Defending an aerial ball into the centre of the field
Forwards
The second line of defence
Closing down attacks on the flank |
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Chapter 5
Barcelona in the defensive phase against the 4-4-2
Limiting the opposition to one passing option at the back
Applying pressure to a team passing along the back line’
Pressure on the goalkeeper
Building up play from the back
Pressure on the central defender receiving the ball from the goalkeeper
Defending forward runs from the full backs
Limiting passing options for the central defenders
Preventing midfielders receiving short passes from the defenders
Defending a goalkeeper’s pass to a full back
The opposition full back receives the ball on the halfway line |
Chapter 11
Barcelona when defending near the sidelines
Defending on the weak side
Defending near the sidelines and close to the penalty area
Defending when the winger nears the by-line
Defending a free player near the penalty area
Defensive adaptability |
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Chapter 6
Barcelona in the defensive phase against the 4-2-3-1
Marking forwards who drop deep to receive the ball
Pressing forward and covering positions
Preventing vertical passes and creating superiority in numbers around the ball
Defending a long kick towards the sideline
Midfield balance and positioning from long kicks |
Chapter 12
Barcelona’s defending from set pieces
Defending a goal kick
Defending a corner kick
Defending a free kick near the sideline
Defending a free kick near the corner flag
Defensive positioning from throw-ins
Conclusion
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Athanasios Terzis
UEFA 'B' coaching licence
M.Sc. certification in coaching and conditioning
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I played for several teams in Greek professional leagues. At
the age of 29 stopped playing and focused on studying football coaching.
I have been head coach of several semi-pro football teams
in Greece and worked as a technical director in the Academies of DOXA
Dramas (Greek football league, 2nd division).
I wrote and published two books "4-3-3 the application of the system"
and "4-4-2 with diamond in midfield, the application of the system". I
decided to proceed in something more specific so coaches would have an
idea of how top teams apply the same systems. My next project is the 4-2-3-1 of Mourhinho’s Real Madrid.
Analysing games tactically is a great love and strength of mine. I think
teams have success only when they prepare well tactically.
I have watched Barcelona in most of their league and Champions league
matches for the last seven years and less frequently over the past twenty
years. I believe that this Barcelona side is by far the best Barcelona I have
ever seen in regard to their attractive style of play and success in
becoming the best side in the world. I have analysed Barcelona’s tactics for
this book, which together with the teams’ incredible technical ability allows
Barca to perform their attractive brand of football.
I watched every Barcelona game in the 2010-11 season creating a
set of highly detailed notes on each. I watched many of the matches
over 20 times. The matches were separated according to the
opposing team’s formation. This book is made up of over a 1000
hours of extensive tactical research and analysis of Guardiola’s Barcelona
side. |
