By Kevin Kemboi
Let’s look at some basic buildup principles, and whether the lack of a lefty will hurt Xavi’s team 👇
In most Barcelona attacks, the Centre Backs remain central. They aren’t split on either side of a pivot.
From these positions, dominant foot isn’t important. Being central gives you more space/options. You can adjust your body to play inside or outside accordingly.
It becomes relevant with opposition pressure. Receiving from the GK, a left footed CB can turn into space fluidly.
By taking your first touch inside with your stronger foot, you limit your options.
It gives him forward options.
You also get an advantage when the ball is coming from wide. It’s more pragmatic to stop the ball dead and play the pass with the dominant foot.
So if your strong foot is on the ‘outside’, it’s easier to move away from the direction of pressure and into space where there’s forward options.
But how important is it for Barcelona specifically?
Well, Xavi’s Barca get into these pressure situations less often than, say, Manchester City.
That’s because Xavi has shown a clear preference for bypassing lines of pressure.
For example, the midfielders don’t drop deep to receive the ball. They stay upfield, ready for a pass through the lines, or a third man run off the CF.
This shifts responsibility away from the center backs, and onto ter Stegen. Generally, Xavi is ok with being direct.
The addition of a strong focal point (Lewandowski), supported by two advanced midfielders and two quick wingers, gives the team a lot of options for pressure release.
Finally, Barca’s most successful opponents last year didn’t press high, but sat in a mid block. Restricting passing lanes rather than applying intense pressure.
In this case, the Centre Back still needs to move it quickly, but vision and technique are more important than dominant foot.
Of course, if you can use both feet, that’s a huge advantage.
To conclude.
In an ideal world you’d have a left footed CB. It’s gives you more options if you’re building against high pressure.
But for Xavi’s Barcelona, it’s less of a priority. If the Left Centre Back is fast-thinking and responsible, being right footed shouldn’t be a handicap.
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