Lineup Analysis: FC Barcelona vs. Dortmund 3-2 in Champions League
Before the game, there were rumors that Ferran and Frenkie might start in the lineup. Considering the challenges of playing Dortmund away—a fixture known for its difficulty—such choices seemed risky. This match was not the time for experimentation or rotation, as it required the strongest team available.
Barcelona Dortmund 3-2 in Champions League
It’s important to note that concerns over their inclusion weren’t a critique of the players themselves, but rather about ensuring the best strategy for such a high-stakes game. Ultimately, these rumors proved to be false. The coaching staff opted for the strongest lineup, prioritizing stability and experience.
How Flick’s Barcelona Won 3-2 Against Dortmund, 10th December 2024, Tactical Analysis
The First Half Analysis
Dortmund started the match with an aggressive pressing approach, particularly targeting Barcelona’s right side, which is typically a key area in their buildup play. However, Barcelona managed to bypass this press comfortably.
Flick’s tactical adjustment proved decisive. Recognizing Dortmund’s focus on the right, he shifted the buildup play to the left flank, effectively exploiting the spaces that Dortmund left open. This clever adaptation allowed Barcelona to maintain control and progress the ball despite the early pressure.
Tactical Breakdown: Pressing and Marking Dynamics
Dortmund’s Guirassy closely marked Cubarsi, while Sabitzer took on the task of pressing Inigo. However, Sabitzer, being a midfielder, often arrived late to his pressing assignments, which inadvertently gave Inigo more freedom on the ball.
This delay in pressing created additional tactical advantages for Barcelona. Sabitzer’s high positioning frequently left one of Barcelona’s midfielders, usually Pedri, unmarked. Pedri, leaning to the left side of the pitch, was able to capitalize on the spaces left by Sabitzer’s advanced press, providing more fluidity and options for Barcelona’s buildup play.
This dynamic showcased Barcelona’s ability to exploit the slight inefficiencies in Dortmund’s pressing strategy effectively.
In the first 10–15 minutes, Barcelona consistently had a numerical advantage during their buildup on the left side. This tactical setup allowed them to create several promising chances, though poor finishing prevented an early lead. Dortmund eventually adjusted by abandoning their high press and retreating into their own half to minimize further threats.
Midfield Dominance
Even after Dortmund retreated, their defensive shape remained similar to their pressing structure, with Sabitzer joining Guirassy up front. This allowed Barcelona to consistently establish a 3v2 numerical advantage in midfield (Casado, Pedri, Olmo vs. Reyna, Nmecha), making central progression smooth and effective.
Missed Opportunities in Attack
Barcelona struggled to capitalize on Raphinha’s runs behind Dortmund’s high and mid defensive lines, often opting for safer passing options. Flick’s strategy in the first half focused on maintaining control over direct play. While this conserved energy, it also missed key chances to exploit Dortmund’s vulnerable defensive positioning.
Pressing Adjustments
Flick’s tactical tweaks in Barcelona’s pressing game were clear against Dortmund. Typically, both wingers press the center-backs while Lewandowski and Olmo cover the pivots, leaving space for the opponent’s wingers. However, in this match, only one winger pressed high, while Yamal stayed closer to his fullback, providing additional defensive support and limiting Dortmund’s wide options.
At the end of first half, Dortmund started finding gaps in Flick’s pressing adjustments. The new system made it tougher for them to play wide, but it left the center more open. This happened because Lewandowski’s pressing on the center-backs was less aggressive compared to how Yamal usually presses in the standard setup. It gave Dortmund an easier path to progress centrally.
Barcelona Dortmund 3-2 in Champions League
The Second Half Analysis
In the second half, Dortmund built on their central play from the end of the first half, effectively bypassing Barcelona’s press. With Lewandowski and Raphinha showing clear signs of fatigue, Barcelona’s counter-pressing intensity dropped. This allowed Dortmund to maintain possession more comfortably and launch attacks with greater ease.
In the second half, Barcelona struggled to build up play as Dortmund shifted their pressing focus to the left side, nullifying the earlier numerical advantage. Guirassy continued marking Cubarsí, forcing Barcelona to build through the left, where Dortmund had tightened their press.
Without the ability to create overloads, the team relied heavily on Pedri’s individual brilliance to escape tight spaces and advance play. His efforts led to key moments, such as the long ball to Olmo that contributed to the first goal, but such plays were rare and unsustainable over the course of the game.
Dortmund’s high press left large spaces in behind
This inconsistency in breaking Dortmund’s press made it difficult for Barcelona to maintain control, but when they managed to bypass it, Dortmund’s high press left large spaces in behind. These gaps created better attacking opportunities, leading to more dangerous chances compared to the first half. Improved finishing from the attackers also played a key role in making these moments count.
This shift in dynamics explains how Barcelona managed to score three goals and generate more dangerous opportunities in the second half, despite having less overall control. Dortmund’s focus on pressing the left side created more freedom for Yamal and Koundé on the right, which directly contributed to Barcelona’s second goal and added variety to their attacking play.
Defensively, Barcelona faced significant issues, particularly with defending crosses. Flick’s reliance on the offside trap as the main strategy against aerial threats proved both risky and ineffective. This approach led directly to Dortmund’s penalty and created many of their most dangerous opportunities during the match.
Barcelona Dortmund 3-2 in Champions League
Conclusion
Barcelona’s tactical flexibility and midfield dominance were key strengths in this match, but missed opportunities in attack limited their impact. Flick’s adjustments ensured stability and control, but sharper execution in the final third could have turned dominance into a decisive advantage.
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