La Liga 2018/19 Tactical Analysis: Barcelona vs Levante

And just like that Barcelona have secured their eighth La Liga trophy for their rich cabinet. Levante proved to be a worthy opponent, regardless of their low positioning in the table, but the last three points the Blaugrana needed went with them back to Catalunya after all. The new champs started the game with depleted ranks but were forced to call upon Lionel Messi from the bench to shift the tides once again.

This tactical analysis will explain how Barcelona sealed the deal on their home turf and wrapped the league up with three fixtures to go until the official end of the season.

Lineups

Barcelona (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Ter Stegen  Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba  Vidal, Rakitić, Arthur  Dembélé, Suárez, Coutinho

Bench: Cillessen, Umtiti, Aleñá, Sergi, Busquets, Messi, Malcom

Coach: Ernesto Valverde

Levante (4-1-4-1)

Starting XI: Aitor  Moses, Coke, Vezo, Rober, Luna  Rochina, Vukčević, Campaña  Mayoral, Jason

Bench: Oier, Cabaco, Pedro López, Bardhi, Morales, Dwamena, Martí

Coach: Paco López

Barcelona’s setup

Even though this was a huge game for Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde decided to rotate his squad just a bit with that Liverpool clash still looming around the corner. With that in mind, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets dropped to the bench while Arturo Vidal and Ousmane Dembélé got their chance from the get-go.

In that system, Ivan Rakitić dropped to the “hole” as the team’s pivot, and Vidal accompanied Arthur Melo further up the pitch in midfield. The front trident consisted out of Ousmane Dembélé, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suárez.

Nélson Semedo also got the nod