FC Barcelona have been, for the past years the best team that has played the game. Entertaining people with their drooling style and engaging Tiki-Taka, winning all the trophies around them in the process. But last year Barca have lost their winning track by losing the two most important trophies; the UCL and La Liga. This year they hope to retain their trophies by strengthening their squad under new manager Tito Vilanova, and they are doing so with the addition of left-back Jordi Alba from Valencia and recently defensive midfielder Alex Song from Arsenal FC.
With these new signings, Barca and football fans started asking; “How will Barca line-up next year with the new players?” “Is there enough space for all players?” I will answer all these questions critically.
Barca 2011/12 Standard Line-up:
Valdes
Alves Puyol Pique/ Mascherano Adriano/ Abidal*
Sergio Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Alexis Sanchez Fabregas/ Pedro/ David Villa*
Messi
All players with “*” Have been injured for a long period last season.
Note: Fabregas when playing, was positioned as a CAM and not at LW.
Barca In:
Jordi Alba (Valencia)
Alex Song (Arsenal)
Barca Out:
Seydou Keita (To Dalian Aerbin)
Barca 2012/2013 Possible Line-Ups
Barca could line up in several ways and formations-
4-3-3:
Valdes
Alves Puyol Pique/ Mascherano Alba
Sergio Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Alexis Sanchez/ Fabregas (As CAM) David Villa
Lionel Messi
Barca could also play as 3-4-3 to benefit from Alexis Sanchez and Fabregas:
Valdes
Alves Puyol/Pique/Mascherano Alba
Sergio Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Cesc Fabregas
Alexis Sanchez David Villa
Lionel Messi
Alex Song technically has no place in Barca’s line-up¸ and that is what has made some Barca fans furious, as in “Why would FC Barcelona want to buy a player that is just going to sit on bench?!”
Song may just have a place in the squad in replacing Sergio Busquets, if he is injured or if he has gone back to play as CB to replace an injured Pique or Puyol. So Alex Song will have to cope with the bench most of the season, unless Tito Vilanova will just flip around all the squad and formation just to find a place for Song (like playing in a 4-2-2 formation), but this is very unlikely to happen. This formation especially with the addition of Song could affect Barca’s winning odds this season, and so sportsbook review could prove to be a useful resource in covering the Catalan’s odds and chances of a successful season.
Alba on the other hand should have a lot of playing time with the absence of Abidal. Then there will be another story.
Note: The Transfer Window has not closed yet, Barca might as well sell some players that don’t fit in Tito’s plan for next year.
Barca Possible Departure(s):
Ibrahim Afellay (Inter, Arsenal, Liverpool)
Andreu Fontas
Thank you for reading.
Written By Nadim Rmeity
Follow me on Twitter @nadimrmeity
Please like O-Posts on Facebook
Follow the site on Twitter @OPosts