Barcelona’s summer time switch enterprise raised various eyebrows throughout Europe. For a membership identified for grand statements out there, their choice to not pursue a standard No.9 this season regarded, at first look, like of venture. But, because the months unfold, the query lingers amongst supporters of the membership, is that this an excellent strategic transfer or a harmful oversight that would derail their season? Softfootball studies.
The Catalan giants entered the marketing campaign with Robert Lewandowski nonetheless main the road, although now within the later phases of his profession. At 36, the Polish striker stays one of many sport’s nice professionals, however even his prime supporters know that age is catching up.
Regardless of that, Barcelona opted in opposition to signing a brand new and pure centre-forward. As a substitute, the club-led by sporting director Deco has chosen to position religion in inside flexibility, trusting that forwards like Ferran Torres, Dani olmo, and the on-loan ahead from Manchester United Marcus Rashford may share the goalscoring burden.
The choice was comprehensible, no less than on paper, was clear sufficient. Financially, Barcelona are nonetheless navigating muddy waters, and spending on one other big-name striker may have been unsustainable. Tactically, Softfootball understands that new head coach Hansi Flick has at all times most popular mobility and urgent up entrance over a single focus.
Below his system, each attacker is predicted to press, rotate, and create moderately than merely simply rating targets. In that sense, the choice aligned with a contemporary, versatile strategy to attacking soccer.
And but, outcomes have begun to check the persistence of even essentially the most optimistic followers. Barcelona have endured a troublesome few weeks, struggling back-to-back defeats to PSG within the UEFA Champions League, adopted by a humbling 4-1 thrashing by the hands of Sevilla earlier than the Worldwide break .
Rashford’s arrival from Manchester United was supposed to supply short-term aid. The Englishman isn’t a pure No.9, however his tempo, motion, and knack for locating house have given Barcelona a brand new dimension. His brace in the 2–1 Champions League win over Newcastle United stays one of many season’s brilliant spots, a reminder that he might be decisive on the largest nights.
In Flick’s system, Rashford thrives when allowed to float vast and assault from the left, although his final touch has sometimes masked the staff’s deeper inventive issues.
In the meantime, Barcelona by way of their official X deal with, have acknowledged Marcus Rashford affect particularly after having a incredible September for the membership, the Englishman has scored 3 targets and 4 assists his final seven video games, the staff posted a spotlight of a few of his targets for the membership in Laliga, watch under;
Nonetheless, the query persists which is can a membership with Barcelona’s ambitions actually depend on a makeshift strategy up entrance?.The lack of effectivity in entrance of aim, particularly in Europe, suggests in any other case. In opposition to sides like PSG, small moments resolve total season. The French champions had Gonçalo Ramos, a pure striker and finisher who transformed their solely massive probability late on. Barcelona, regardless of dominating possession, couldn’t discover a comparable determine to make their superiority depend.
Some followers could level out that Lewandowski’s expertise stays invaluable, and that Rashford’s mortgage offers an injection of vitality and new dimension. However the proof of the previous few weeks exhibits that this mix is way from a long-term answer.
And not using a constant, bodily imposing striker able to occupying defenders and changing half-chances, Barcelona danger being too predictable when going through deep and arranged backlines. Their assault flows fantastically at occasions, but and not using a finisher to tie all of it collectively, too many promising probabilities could go begging.
To their credit score, the choice to not signal a striker wasn’t solely reckless. Monetary prudence issues, and Flick’s footballing philosophy emphasizes versatility and cohesion over positional rigidity. There’s additionally a perception throughout the membership that the present crop of forwards can collectively ship what one star No.9 may present alone. That concept isn’t with out benefit , however it calls for near-perfect execution and consistency throughout the frontline. The current losses recommend they aren’t fairly there but.
For now, Barcelona’s assault revolves round adaptability. Flick is attempting to construct a aspect able to urgent excessive, interchanging roles, and overwhelming opponents with fluid motion moderately than static positioning. Rashford’s presence suits that narrative completely, a fast, aggressive runner who can stretch defenses and strike on the counter. But, if Lewandowski suffers one other harm spell or his type dips, the absence of a pure alternative may grow to be a season-defining loopholes.
In reality, it is a calculated danger. Barcelona’s refusal to chase a standard striker is each a mirrored image of their monetary actuality and may be an announcement of tactical intent. They wish to construct a staff that wins by way of concepts, not simply particular person firepower. The issue is that soccer, particularly on the highest degree, typically punishes concepts. Type factors don’t depend when they aren’t ensuing into wins .
As issues stand, Barcelona’s technique is defensible however has some loopholes. It seems to be good when Rashford scores and Flick’s fluid assault clicks into place. However it seems to be naive when the staff collapses underneath strain, as seen in opposition to PSG and Sevilla. In the long run, the knowledge of this choice will likely be judged not in press conferences or tactical type of play, however in trophies received on the finish of the season.
If Barcelona rediscover their rhythm, Rashford continues his type, and Flick’s system continues to gel collectively, historical past may view this choice as good. But when the targets dry up and the staff falters once more in Europe, the summer time’s “no-No.9” coverage will likely be remembered not as courageous however as of venture gone terribly fallacious.
