Champions League Tactical Analysis 2024/25: Best Formations & Plays From Matchday 4

Matchday four of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is complete.

Our tactical analysis shares the best formations, plays and tactics from Champions League week four. 

We will analyze Barcelona’s attacking tactics, the characteristics of the half-spaces, and the benefits of overloads in these areas.

Additionally, we will examine Bayer Leverkusen’s central overload in the build-up play and Liverpools solutions.

Red Star Belgrade Vs Barcelona Tactical Analysis

Hansi Flick Barcelonas tactics overpowered Vladan Milojevićs Red Star Belgrade 5-2.

In the 76th minute, FC Barcelona scored through Fermín López to make it 5-1.

The entire analysed sequence starts at 75:00 and ends with the goal at 75:50.

Several interesting tactical principles can be observed here, demonstrating how to dominate and break down a deep-lying opponent.

Barcelona’s positioning with the ball is highly flexible and adapts to the zones that need to be occupied.

The full-backs, Jules Koundé and Gerard Martín, are solely responsible for providing width.

The wingers (at the time of the goal, Lamine Yamal and Fermín) drop into the half-spaces on the ball-near side.

Notably, the left winger, Fermín, operates as a “free player” in Barcelona’s play with the ball, similar to Raphinha, whom he replaced.

This allows him to act primarily as an overload player on his nominally far-side right, regularly filling specific spaces to create numerical superiority.

Barcelona initiates a possession phase against Belgrades deep-lying opposition, who are set up in a 4-5-1.

Yamal, Dani Olmo, Fermín, and Robert Lewandowski overload the space between the lines, forcing Belgrade’s defensive line to push up repeatedly, creating issues in their coverage.

At the same time, the opposition’s midfield line is forced to reorient to constantly maintain their cover shadows.

To create marking problems, Barcelona frequently uses opposing movements, both in-depth and coming back from it.

Following the play further, we can see how Barcelona overload the half-space.

With Marc Casadó on the ball and the winger Yamal and the attacking midfielder Olmo shifting into the half-space, the centre is pulled open, which Yamal subsequently attacks.

This setup also gives Barcelona grea