TOGETHER

"Every time we are together, we create something. Every time we are separated , they create something".

I wrote this yesterday while watching the match Madrid-Barça. I think it summarizes for me what was the game. While Barça played "positionally" applying the correct criteria for this type of play, the game was placid for Martino's men. And, while Madrid made ​​high pressure to prevent to play the ball out from the back, in case it can not work out, kick up and out. As the team was well placed, although the ball was for the white players, it was relatively easy that there wasn't great danger for Valdés. Barca scored ​​the first goal and Messi had the second in a play where he controlled the ball a little long.

This changed from the time that Barça relaxed a bit and Madrid was able to leave with counterattacks. Cristiano came to the center and the left wing was allowed for Di Maria. And he damaged, a lot of damage. Breaking again and again Alves, who had no help from Xavi, who was away by that of the separate lines, or Mascherano, that theoretically should give coverage, but in fact was more aware of Benzema, he created enough danger to score 3 or 4 goals.

Towards the end of the first half, Barca was together again and returned to have options, until Messi made ​​the 2-2 before the break.

The second half was quite different. Although Madrid took the lead again, the feeling was that Barça had much more controlled the game, but had troubles to create danger, but on the other hand, did not give options for counterattack to Madrid.

And the key play of the game came. Messi makes an amazing pass on the ground: he breaks two lines (double pivot and the back four) and eliminates 6! players. I recommend everyone to see it and especially those who are dedicated to teaching football to use it as a model of what a pass means. The referee called the penalty and sent off Ramos. Martino brought Pedro for Neymar and, somewhat later, Alexis was in for Cesc, for Iniesta to return in midfield and to play with three clear forwards.

And I say that is key, not only for what it means for the opposing team with one less player, but by the fact that, from then on, Barça became the boss of the match permanently. Lines together without options for the Madrid game and allowing rapid recoveries for Barca and creating danger. In fact, many saw a fifth goal could come at any time.

Important considerations:

1) When the lines are together, when from Piqué (great game yesterday, why it will not be always the same?), to Messi, here are at most 30 meters and mobility appears, this team is still the dominator. When as many games this year, the lines are separated, Xavi can not go up and down and Busquets can not cover everything and is when the defensive problems are magnified. And this is know by all teams. Madrid, too. And this is exploited in almost every game. When we run like in the schoolyard we suffer too much at the back, for the very simple reason that there is no 8 or 9 players to defend. When the team comes together, it is easier to recover the ball and better to defend. The defense suffers, beyond the gaps that may exist, by this disorder and Valdés is becoming more critical than before and now is much more involved in the game with hands than with feet, and this means that opponents arrives too often to the goal.

2) Messi, for the same reason, is much less part of the game, but instead, it is much more crucial now. O scoring, or assisting. And that's a lot. The problem is in his "disconnections" that, as I say, are given by the "new" way of playing of Barça. Earlier, Messi appeared not to much to get balls. Now, he has to come a lot to look for them, because they don't arrive to his area of ​​influence. And that, often is not good.

3) Let us keep clear. Yesterday was a great game for football fans, but I do not think it was for many coaches. Crazy matches, with "races" to here or there only like to the weaker teams, knowing that it is much easier for them to take advantage of this type of game. This must be fixed by Barça. And, the sooner the better, because, in Champions League, Atlético will do the same as Madrid did yesterday: closed at back and go to the counter, and these are equally or more dangerous than those playing this type of game.

If we want to go to Lisbon, together and "ordered", which is what led us to Paris, Rome or London.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP