4. Protection

Lionel Messi: "Every game, he prepares for it as if it were a final."

19/09/2010 Atletico Madrid 1 FC Barcelona 2

In part 3 we saw the libero role of Busquets. It was mainly to build from the back when you have possession. This time it's different. Barcelona had always conceded a lot of goals in the Vicente Calderon ( like losing 4-3 in 08/09 season) Barcelona started with the regular 4-3-3 formation and the game was played with very high tempo. after 30 minutes, it was already 2-1 to Barca. At that point, Guardiola decided to change his tactics by moving Busquets into defence, between Puyol and Pique. But this time it was very narrow and the while defending, the full backs made it a 5man defence. This pretty much sealed the game, It was very hard for Atletico to find any answers to break trhough the defence and it ended 2-1.

Barca started with usual 4-3-3 formation.

After about 30 mins and leading 2-1, Guardiola changed his formation by making it 3 or 5 man defence.

When in possession, it was a straight 3man defence, with full backs providing the width and Pedro and Villa (red) moved more into middle, leaving Messi, Iniesta and Xavi (blue) into middle of the park

Defensivly, the full backs made it a very narrow 5man defence, which was proven too hard to break trought for Atletico and the game ended 2-1.