Barcelona defeted Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday, to move to the first spot in the La Liga table, however, the victory paid a significant price.
Catalan's superstar Lionel Messi took his league goal tally to seven for the season moments after setting up Philippe Coutinho for Barca's opener but Messi forced to be sidelined for three weeks with an arm injury that see him miss a crucial Champions League home game with Inter Milan, as well as next week's El Clasico clash with Real Madrid.
Here are 3 formations Ernesto Valverde could try out without the formidable front man.
4-3-3
Without Messi, it is likely Valverde would opt for Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé either side of Luis Suarez. Dembélé has provided more crosses (nine) than any other Barca player this term and he provides a more direct threat, driving at opposition full-backs and whipping the ball in. Coutinho is the more likely to take up the Messi role of cutting inside, taking shots and drawing others into the game. Suarez, is likely to anchor down a more central role, especially due to Dembélé's deliveries and crosses from Jordi Alba and Nelson Semedo, who could have more space on the overlap.
4-2-3-1
Coutinho will be allowed space through the middle courtesy of widemen Dembélé and Malcom, who can stretch the opposing back line with their blistering pace and movement down the channels. Suarez could become more of a target-man like figure, feeding off crosses. Ivan Rakitić will have less freedom with the ball at his feet and the Croatian would have to carry out a more defensive role in the holding midfield position alongside Sergio Busquets.
4-4-2
Coutinho, Alba, Malcom and Semedo can create overloads down the flanks while Busquets drops back to provide cover for Clement Lenglet and Gerard Piqué. This is still an option with Dembélé, who has the pace to latch onto the flick-ons and through balls Suarez has become accustomed to playing to Messi. The attacking individuals have more freedom in the final third and Coutinho and Malcom also have the option of cutting inside and striking, with Suarez and Dembele splitting up-top.
Source-sportskeeda.com
