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When Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves met earlier this season, Robert Lewandowski scored a sensational hat-trick to seal the game in 45 minutes.
Since then, the opponents’ season has not gone too well with them now sitting in 17th place, only one point ahead of Espanyol in the classification.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are in a world of pain in the league after dropping their leadership and now there are seven points behind Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick’s men have no margin of error in domestic competition and the next few weeks will be critical if they will design a return. With the Madrid derby just around the corner, they will have serious opportunities to defend themselves.
Universal Barça brings you three points of conversation ahead of Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves.
Inigo’s return
The beginning of Barcelona’s flight under life under Hansi’s film was largely reduced to two factors: the perfect implementation of the high pressure structure and the outstanding trap.
The defensive duo of the Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martínez team stylistically adjust as a hand in a glove and, therefore, did not make the team feel the absence of Ronald Araujo or Andreas Christensen for almost six months.
However, Araujo’s return of an injury along with Martínez’s fitness blow saw the Uruguayan a series of games under the film. While the central was decent, it is clear that he did not approach Martínez’s levels.
The Basque star, after all, has operated as a leader since the beginning of the season not only with its defensive contributions but also with its maintenance of the offside trap.
Its composure, decision making and distribution were sensational and it is clear that Araujo has not done enough to replace Martínez, who has been one of the best in the world this season.
Back from his injury and will return tomorrow, it is quite clear that the veteran star guarantees his place in the initial alignment. Not because of Araujo but his own quality.
Is it time for a tactical turn?
The front trio of Barcelona has been in a great way throughout the season, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal causing ravages on the flanks and Robert Lewandowski packing the goals in advance.
In recent months, however, the Polish striker has seen a leap in his form and is no longer as clinical in front of the goal as it was in the first months of the season.
Lewandowski has begun at the bank on some occasions this season, mainly to rest given his age. However, it is likely that it is now time for Barcelona to start leaving its own for tactical reasons given its low production.
On all three occasions, Pole has started in the bank in recent games, the team has won through healthy margins and, therefore, it is clear that its presence in the field is not essential.
Tomorrow, the film could seek to start the veteran at the bank and change their tactics. With Dani Olmo not available to play as a false nine, I could seek to display Ferran Torres as number nine.
The last time Barcelona tested a similar maneuver, they beat Valencia for a score of 7-1 and could look for that again tomorrow night.
Szczesny must show your class
Hansi Flick confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny was his favorite goalkeeper once again before Barcelona’s clash against Deportivo Alaves, and it is clear that the Polish goalkeeper has done enough to remain in the good books of the coach.
His ascent period began in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this year and there has been no longer back since then, since he has completely replaced Inaki Pena in the initial alignment.
However, it is clear that Szczesny’s place as a number one goalkeeper of the team is far from being clear, especially given his concentration times that seem to attack the game after the game.
Szczesny has already been expelled once this season, took unnecessary cup in the box, made bad decisions out of his box and has been very unstable in possession.
While you can’t doubt its shot, his ball ability has always remained a question and has turned it into a weak link.
Therefore, it is time for him to advance and demonstrate that he can be more reliable in possession and sew 90 minutes without making mistakes. After all, Inaki Pena is not far in the hierarchical order.
