It has been five years now since Barcelona last lost a Champions League game at the Camp Nou. Bayern Munich was the last team to achieve this enormous feat back in 2013 when they crushed the Catalans with three goals in the back of their nets.
Tuesdays clash against Tottenham Hotspur was definitely a game to forget for Blaugrana, but also one that was meaningless in the grand scheme of things. One side was out on an exhibition, testing some young players and resting the rest, while the other was on a wild hunt for a chance to feature in the knockout stages of this fabled competition.
Surprisingly, both sides got what they wanted from the match, and a 1:1 draw saw both teams advance further in the tournament.
This tactical analysis will use statistics and insight to determine how Tottenham dominated a, it has to be said, fairly weakened Barcelona side but only managed to rattle the net once, allowing the hosts to keep their undefeated streak alive.
Line ups
Barcelona (4-3-3)
Starting XI: Cillessen Semedo, Vermaelen, Lenglet, Miranda Rakitic, Arthur, Aleña Dembele, Munir, Coutinho
Bench: Ter Stegen, Pique, Busquets, Denis, Messi, Alba, Vidal
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-1-2)
Starting XI: Lloris Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose Sissoko, Winks Eriksen, Dele, Son Kane
Bench: Gazzaniga, Davies, Dier, Skipp, Lamela, Lucas, Llorente
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
Barcelonas setup
It is safe to say this wont really rank as the most important game Barcelona had to play in the Champions League. Having already secured their spot among the elite in the knockout stages of the tournament, Ernesto Valverde was free to do what he so often opts against – rotate.
And rotate he did, fairly heavy, it has to be said. The Ant made a total of six changes to the usual gala XI as Jasper Cillessen was the man between the sticks, and Juan Miranda, the Barcelona B youngster, and Carles Alenya, the newly promoted La Masia gem, got their CL debuts.
Aside from them, Valverde gave Munir a chance instead of
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