How Barcelona are adapting to life without Iniesta (and Paulinho)

FC Barcelonas evolution is underway as the league champions are currently topping the list after three fixtures, not to mention their last remarkable 8-2 victory over SD Huesca. Yet, as I have explained it in my previous analysis on Barcelonas evolution that the absence of key midfielders this season  Iniesta and Paulinho  would be the main influencer on Barcelonas new shape. While Coutinho seems to be the starting central midfielder alongside Busquets and Rakitic, and Dembele the starting left winger, Barcelonas new shape is ready to re-embrace tiki-taka and their multi-dimensional attacking style. Here is the tactical analysis of how Valverde is shaping up Barcelonas midfield without Iniesta and Paulinho.

Coutinho in the Central Midfield

With the departure of Neymar from La Liga, Barcelona switched to 4-4-2 and focused on their defensive restructuring. With this, Iniesta who used to be the left central midfielder moved laterally to the respective wing with Busquets and Rakitic at the defensive midfield. Paulinho, on the other hand, often joined Busquets or Rakitic in the defensive midfield mostly at the right side.

Iniesta provided depth covering to Barcelona by blocking the opponents deeper movements in his defensive third. Paulinho, on the other hand, blocked opponents forward movements by picking the right defensive spot between the lines thus disturbing their passing play and also made defensive runs to chase and back-tackle the opponent in a way unexpected to the later.

Though with the departure of Iniesta, concerns arose regarding the teams midfield. Paulinho, who proved to be a noteworthy addition to the midfield, also loaned out. But Valverde has had already another emerging midfield talent in his pool ready, Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian is playing at the left central midfield position of the 4-3-3 set up this season  the place formerly dominated by Iniesta.

Even though Coutinho stands a little lower in terms of passing, crosses, a