Between now and April 21, MARCA are publishing exhaustive analysis from the MBP School of Coaches of six Champions League last 16 matches from this season.
We start with Napoli vs Barcelona, with MBP studying the Italian team's structure, attacking and defensive positioning and strong and weak points, proposing alternative options that Barcelona could use to beat them.
Main system of play
Gennaro Gattuso's preferred system at Napoli is 4-3-3, with the usual starting line-up made of the 11 players below.
Despite not getting the results, the team does quite a few things well.
On evidence from the first leg against Barcelona, they don't mind defending deep, with their versatile players looking to make the most of the chances they can create.
Recommendation for Setien:
Barcelona should use the size of the pitch at the Camp Nou to create and exploit space for themselves in order to break Napoli down in the second leg.
To do this, they must be quick in transition.
Going man to man with a 4-3-3 formation might be the best way to go.
Defensive positioning
Napoli set up in a 4-5-1 formation when defending, with all nine of their defenders and midfielders keeping a narrow, compact shape.
There isn't much space in between the lines, but Napoli do allow teams to have the ball out wide.
Recommendation for Setien:
In the first leg, Barcelona's attackers were pounced upon by Napoli's centre-backs when they received the ball in behind the midfield.
To avoid this, put a central striker in to occupy the centre-backs, allowing other attackers like Lionel Messi to drift into this space unnoticed.
Then, there are also options to double up on their full-backs, with Barcelona's attacking midfielders moving into wide positions.
Attacking positioning
With the ball, Napoli's 4-5-1 moves into a 4-3-3, with the three midfielders all versatile enough to receive the ball anywhere on the pitch.
This means that space opens up between Napoli's defence and midfield, allowing Barcelona's attackers to find bigger gaps.
Recommendation for Setien:
As soon as you get the ball, try to find Messi in this expanded gap between the midfield three and the back four.
Then the Argentine will be able to do much more damage and take players on one on one rather than in a group.
Hunting in packs
Like in defence, Napoli work as a team going forward too.
Their midfield and attack are very tightly compact when on the ball, penning Barcelona's players inside.
Gattuso prefers to leave the defensive line a bit deeper, creating a bit of space for Barcelona to exploit behind Napoli's midfield.
Recommendation for Setien:
Just like if you win the ball inside the opposing half, you can do damage if you win it in your own half.
With Napoli's midfield out of position, get the ball into someone like Messi or Antoine Griezmann in the space they leave behind or where one of their full-backs has gone forward.
Changes in position in attack
Napoli's front three rarely stick in the same positions.
They're all quick and versatile, making them hard to track as they make different runs.
Recommendation for Setien:
Barcelona's goalkeeper, back four and holding midfielder must be in constant communication in order to keep tabs on where each of their opponents are.
Changes in position in defence
Napoli's wingers tend to come back and sit alongside the central midfielders to make a bank of five in front of the defence.
Recommendation for Setien:
Try to get the ball in behind the wingers before they're able to track back.
Key point
Fabian Ruiz is the heartbeat of the team.
When he gets on the ball, the team are a different machine.
Recommendation for Setien:
Try to stop him getting on the ball.
Barcelona's central midfielders must take responsibility for preventing the ball either arriving at him or leaving his feet.
Adu2473
359
How to beat Barcelona in the second leg !! Just let them know that this is the 2nd leg and there is no 3rd leg๐๐๐๐๐