The problem for Barcelona is that the Enrique version is carried by the forwards. it is not based on maximizing control or having the midfield as central to their game. Previously they would plug and play any forwards with Messi but kept the midfield stable. Now they haven't invested in the midfield apart from Rakitic, they could have gone for Kroos as a Xavi replacement but decided to remake the midfield. Iniesta is good but he cannot do what Xavi did for them. Iniesta gets praise but he is more of a Laudrup/Zidane type and I don't think people realized how influential Xavi was for the midfield game, he was involved in every touch and building from the back. In 2015 the form of Messi and the forward line made up for the decline of their midfield. Barcelona can decide to either go back to the Pep model of midfield control but they would need to get a Veratti type mid or they could go with their 2015 set up that is far more direct (see their matches against Bayern and Atletico Madrid) but need someone to step in for Iniesta. The RB experiment is pretty much a wash and Messi just doing whatever the fukk he wants doesn't help for tactical discipline. The display they put up shows how they desperately need to look at the midfield if they cannot get the forwards to get back to their 2015 level.
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