The 4x2x3x1 vs 4x3x3 option will not result in a 2 vs 3 battle, since Guardiola’s 4x3x3 uses an anchor. Wich means that a miedfield composed by Xabi Alonso, Diarra and Ozil would be enough in terms of numbers to track Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. But…
Problem 1: Ozil defensive work is poor, There’s no way to turn. And his offball movement is no better. When out of space he’s out of game.
Problem 2: Diarra commits tons of unnnecessary fouls and takes possession too far for his (lack of) technique, which results in loosing the possession in compromising areas.
Problem 3: Xabi Alonso is a highly disciplined player in his position, which means that when it is required to do other tactical tasks, he will struggle.
The main problem in Real Madrid’s miedfield against Barça is a lack of an energetic anchor man, like Essien, who could push the pressure higher up the pitch.

When Jose Mourinho beat Barcelona with Inter, he was using a 4x2x3x1 system also, but having a miedfield composed by Cambiasso, Motta and Sneijder makes a bit easier. Cambiasso and Motta can help the team to press higher, they have energy to sell, and Sneijder is handy when the defence needs help.
So, the 4x2x3x1 can cause tons of troubles to a Barça side.

Other thing against Barça:
Playing inverted wingers is useless unless their first touch with the weak foot is great. The main strength to beat Barça is to have a good first touch passing football on the counter/build up, since the pressing is so extreme that if you have players with a good first touch, you will cause them troubles. The inverted wingers will have their strongest foot on the defenders side, which makes the first touch much more difficult and with less precision, since it’s more difficult to hide the ball from the defender with your weak foot.

Daniel Alves leaves a hole in his back, but…
If you don’t have a player tracking him, he will create a bigger hole in the opposition defence. This is not really an exploit, since risking a lack of tracking to Alves will put your team in to instant goal threat. If you put a center miedfield to track him, you will be overruned in center of the pitch, resulting in really big troubles.
It must be a winger tracking him, so the team doesn’t loose the tactical positioning, which is crucial against Barça.

Tracking Messi is probably the biggest challenge for every team nowadays. His positioning is not defined. The messi-role is unique. Bringing a center back to track him seems to be the better option, when you think in tactical terms, but there are very few center backs who can play well when constantly dragged out of position. The best short term solution is to sacrifice the AM C and put an anchor, while ordering the striker to pressure the anchor man. Problem is, the striker must be inteligent enough to understand wich is taking the anchor role, since they rotate during the game.

Doesn’t mather how good the discipline of the team his, being constantly outpassed irritates everyone.

Cheers by the article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/1999/apr/21/newsstory.sport6

UP CHELSEA!

Come to think of it, another player may arise in future that will rival all his records and also win the world cup

Nice article

We will all agree that football competition has been stiffer than it was in the past, more countries are participating, more football leagues, Game Improvement and so on. just go watch ESPN Classic matches for some insight.

NOW
Lionel Messi brought a touch of magic and certainty to new age football, he brought speed, intelligence, accuracy, flexibility and other xtics. He has proven himself by winning tough matches, tough competitions that we could never had imagined in this age.

Therefore, we can easily ignore the fact that he hasn’t won the world cup. Trust me, We know it alreadt that he is the greatest.

Kenny
I hardly read long articles buh this is a very good piece.