Sergi Roberto VS Semedo

THE FULL-BACKS ROLE

As said previously, the full-backs have more responsibility in the 1st phase of build-up now.

Alba’s increasing participation shows it.

some Jordi Alba stats and ranks on Barcelona

Completed Passes per 90: 79 (1st)
Completed Passes into f3 per 90: 9.4 (1st)
Completed Passes into box per 90: 2.6 (2nd)
Attempted Crosses per 90: 3.8 (1st)
Progressive Passes per 90: 6.0 (1st) https://t.co/0eec4gQze8

— Michael Caley (@MC_of_A) September 18, 2019

IMHO, on the right side, Sergi Roberto would be more useful than Semedo when it comes to building from the back & acting as an auxiliary holding midfielder. His smart game reading & positioning, coupled with his physical attributes (pace, stamina), can also help in counter-pressing.

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FULL-BACKS, INTERIORS AND WINGERS

As noted in the game vs Valencia, the interiors positioning was more flexible and they were given more freedom (stay high vs drop deep).

And I think having equally flexible and versatile full-backs would be the perfect complement and give more tools/options to the team when building from the back.

2 options here :

– wide full-backs stretching the field and deep interiors helping to build from the back.

– Inverted full-backs with more responsibility to help Busquets to get the ball forward and interiors positioned high between the opponent’s lines.

And I can’t see this working properly without Sergi Roberto. I’d even say this role seems perfectly tailored for him.