Tactical Conclusion:
Lacking Defensive Organizer, Juve Still Put up a Fight
In an open game with sporadic pressing from both sides Barcelona counterattacked relentlessly after dead balls to earn the cup.
BARCELONA'S PLAN B FLOURISHES
After just three minutes, Juventus’ lack of defensive leadership was exposed, with various incorrect assumptions made about who was marking who on a single play, leading to Iniesta slipping into the box unmarked and setting up Rakitic--also unmarked--for the game's first goal. It was not the type of goal that is easy to imagine being scored against Juventus if Chiellini had been fit and fielded.
After this mishap, though, Juventus’ defense slowly began to resemble itself. When Barca had possession--which was 61% of the time--Juventus mixed pressure with compactness and aggressive tackling and/or fouls to stifle their plan A. Buffon's goalkeeping also aided in preserving the one goal difference.
Where Juventus again failed to quickly organize themselves and hinder Barcelona was on the break, in particular during the aftermath of dead-ball situations:
Briefly winded through their role in this flurry of attacks, however, Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba were unable to get back into position when Ter Stegen’s alertly put the ball into play, leading to Barcelona overrunning Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo in midfield on their way to the eventual winner.
Messi was quietly the game’s best player with ten successful take-ons (fourfourtwo.com). With a steady stream of passes from Dani Alves, he routinely cut back into the middle--from where he is fielded on the right--and was able to play pinpoint crosses (as he did in the first goal to Jordi Alba), or engage defenders on the way to linking up with his attacking mates.
Surpassing the clever build-up to Juventus’ goal was this 51st minute exchange:
Alves delivers the ball to Messi, who cuts into middle, passing to Neymar who has approached from the right. Neymar one-touches back to Messi with the outside of his right foot, who sees Suarez appearing into space ahead. He one-touches to Suarez, who promptly pivots and one-touches it back to Messi in stride. He dribbles once and shoots just wide.
When Barcelona’s front three play like this they are indefensible. We’ll see if anyone can stop them next year...
ENDNOTES:
Lacking Defensive Organizer, Juve Still Put up a Fight
In an open game with sporadic pressing from both sides Barcelona counterattacked relentlessly after dead balls to earn the cup.
BARCELONA'S PLAN B FLOURISHES
After just three minutes, Juventus’ lack of defensive leadership was exposed, with various incorrect assumptions made about who was marking who on a single play, leading to Iniesta slipping into the box unmarked and setting up Rakitic--also unmarked--for the game's first goal. It was not the type of goal that is easy to imagine being scored against Juventus if Chiellini had been fit and fielded.
After this mishap, though, Juventus’ defense slowly began to resemble itself. When Barca had possession--which was 61% of the time--Juventus mixed pressure with compactness and aggressive tackling and/or fouls to stifle their plan A. Buffon's goalkeeping also aided in preserving the one goal difference.
Where Juventus again failed to quickly organize themselves and hinder Barcelona was on the break, in particular during the aftermath of dead-ball situations:
- 48th minute: Barcelona 5v3 break after Juventus corner
- 68th minute: Barcelona goal kick leads to 4v6 break, Messi shot; Juventus fail to cover either Suarez or Rakitic on back post: GOAL
- 75th minute: Barcelona 5v3 break after Juventus corner
- 95th minute: Juventus free kick leads to 3v2 break: GOAL
Briefly winded through their role in this flurry of attacks, however, Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba were unable to get back into position when Ter Stegen’s alertly put the ball into play, leading to Barcelona overrunning Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo in midfield on their way to the eventual winner.
Messi was quietly the game’s best player with ten successful take-ons (fourfourtwo.com). With a steady stream of passes from Dani Alves, he routinely cut back into the middle--from where he is fielded on the right--and was able to play pinpoint crosses (as he did in the first goal to Jordi Alba), or engage defenders on the way to linking up with his attacking mates.
Surpassing the clever build-up to Juventus’ goal was this 51st minute exchange:
Alves delivers the ball to Messi, who cuts into middle, passing to Neymar who has approached from the right. Neymar one-touches back to Messi with the outside of his right foot, who sees Suarez appearing into space ahead. He one-touches to Suarez, who promptly pivots and one-touches it back to Messi in stride. He dribbles once and shoots just wide.
When Barcelona’s front three play like this they are indefensible. We’ll see if anyone can stop them next year...
ENDNOTES:
- Juventus and Barcelona both tried their luck whenever they found space, combining for thirty-two shots (UEFA.com)
- Barcelona (505) completed almost twice as many passes as Juventus (286) in this final (UEFA.com)
- The most frequent passing pair for Barcelona was Dani Alves to Messi (25 times). Cutting off Messi’s line of supply from their right back may be the key to beating Barcelona next year, and if the spry Dani Alves leaves, that may become a more manageable task.