On Saturday night, Ernesto Valverde recorded his fourth La Liga defeat as Barcelona manager after a total of 74 games managing the Blaugrana team. That makes just a bit over five percent of all his matches in the Spanish top division and so far, it makes him the most proficient Barcelona boss of them all.
But in a way, this defeat was somewhat an expected turn of events at the Balaídos stadium and against a highly motivated Celta Vigo team on the other side of the pitch. This tactical analysis will attempt to dissect how a depleted champions’ team fell in Vigo and how their hosts made that happen.
Lineups
Barcelona (4-3-3)
Starting XI: Cillessen – Wagué, Todibo, Umtiti, Vermaelen – Puig, Arthur, Aleña – Dembélé, Prince, Malcom
Bench: Iñaki Peña, Lenglet, Murillo, Semedo, Vidal, Coutinho, Collado
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Celta Vigo (4-4-2)
Starting XI: Rubén – Hugo Mallo, Araújo, Cabral, Olaza – Okay, Lobotka, Boudebouz, Boufal – Maxi Gómez, Iago Aspas
Bench: Sergio, Costas, Beltrán, Sisto, Hjulsager, Jozabed, Méndez
Coach: Francisco Escribá
To read the full tactical analysis – click here
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