The variants of the alignment of the FC Barcelona against Chelsea

The duel of turn of the eighth of final of the Champions League is increasingly near. The FC Barcelona will have to them to him see with Chelsea like obstacle of face to obtain the note for the quarter-finals of the maximum continental competition to level of clubs. With a tie to one in the party of gone, everything is for deciding.

Of face to the alignment of Ernesto Valverde for the party, there is an important problem and another that can be it. The first is that it will not be able to have Philippe Coutinho, that was being key in the last victories of the FC Barcelona in the League Santander and that already is part of the eleven of gala of the Barcelona, as already it showed in front of the Athletic of Madrid. The second is Andrés Iniesta, that does not have ensured his presence by fault of some physical problems.

In spite of the doubts, the technician extremeño has clear that there are nine players that have his place ensured: Marc-André Ter Stegen in the goal; defence with Sergi Roberto, Gerard Hammered, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; centre of the field with Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic; and leading with Leo Messi and Luis Suárez. Depending on the presence or no of Andrés Iniesta, Valverde has several options.

The variants of Ernesto Valverde with Iniesta

Paulinho

It would suppose to jump to the terrain of game with the same eleven that Ernesto Valverde already used in Stamford Bridge or in Santiago Bernabéu does months. The problem is that Paulinho has gone down a lot physically and no longer is this player todoterreno that arrived to the area, marked and defended to equal parts. The bad experience of the party of gone subtracts him possibilities, although it is a very possible option.

André Gomes

A bet for having more the balloon. André Gomes has been the man of confidence of Ernesto Valverde in many of the big parties, as they can be the contested in Mestalla or in Wanda Metropolitan. After the injury of Iniesta in the duel against the Athletic of Madrid of two weeks ago, the Txingurri also bet by him. The problem is that it lives moments complicated, since  after his bad performance against the rojiblancos, the public booed him. However, it is not an option descartable.

Dembélé

It is the option more rompedora since the Barça would play with three pure forwards in a big party, something that had not happened from the course of Neymar. The French has improved in the last parties and would contribute speed, desborde and freshness by the band. However, it is necessary to see if Ernesto Valverde considers that it is prepared to assume a so important role in a crucial party.

The variants of Ernesto Valverde without Iniesta

Paulinho-André Gomes

If Andrés Iniesta does not arrive to time for the party, a very likely option is that Ernesto Valverde opt for reinforcing the centre of the field with Paulinho and André Gomes, that would join to Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets to form a quite physical axis. André Gomes would help in the football of control, whereas Paulinho would be a bet by the arrivals from second line.

Dembélé-Paulinho

A variant complicated to see since it would renounce to the balloon and would opt by a more direct game and of gone and turn, something that Chelsea dominates to perfection. This variant would increase the presence of the FC Barcelona in the rival area but would subtract control, something that is necessary, and more when have the marker in favour, as it is the case.

André Gomes-Dembélé

It would be the mixed variant. André Gomes, with a profile of footballer of control to help to build game from the patience. On the other hand, Dembélé, that would contribute explosividad by the right band. It can that to the Portuguese and to the French have arrived them the hour to claim in front of a big party.