We need to be smart for this first leg. Considering we are at home first, we can try and blitz them early for about 10-15 minutes while staying cautious at the back. If nothing comes of it then we should conserve our energy and focus on not conceding for the rest of the game. There’s no point thinking there’s a chance we can beat Barcelona over two legs if we lose the home leg by 3+ goals. If we lose 1-nil or 2-1, then so be it. It will still give us a slim chance of qualifying.
Home Leg Tactic: *Play like we did against Leicester
*Barcelona hunt in packs so our key to victory will come down to how well we keep the ball/not losing it in dangerous positions
Away Leg Tactic: *Play like Leicester
*Congest and counter
Default Home Leg Formation: *If fit, starting Gabriel will give us the pace at the back to recover in case Chamberlain or Ramsey gives away possession
*Also considering the form Sánchez is in, I would not be against starting Welbeck on the left...
Home Leg Formation 1:*…Assuming Gabriel’s not fit and Mertesacker starts then Ramsey and Bellerin should be instructed to prioritize defending in this match. They can alternate who goes forward but Chamberlain should be left to do the brunt of the work down that right side. Mertesacker’s going to need all the help he can get against Neymar because Neymar will not need to do much to get past Mertesacker…
Home Leg Formation 2:*…If Ramsey and Bellerin cannot resist going forward, then it would be safer for us to start Ramsey out wide and Elneny and Coquelin in the center. This way Ramsey and Bellerin can get forward, but we’ll still have Elneny and Coquelin to cover.
Away Leg – Defensive Formation:*Elneny and Coquelin = Kante
*Ozil = Drinkwater
*Sanchez = Mahrez
*Ramsey = Okazaki
*Walcott = Vardy
*Every man behind the ball except Walcott and maybe Sanchez…
Away Leg – Offensive Formation:*…Once we win the ball, give the ball to Ozil and let him find Walcott, Sanchez, or Ramsey