Previous Barca Coaches Also Implemented Changes - A constantly evolving style

Posted Friday, September 27, 2013 by Marca.com

Every press conference by 'El Tata' has become an interrogation in which he is accused of betraying Barcelona's style of play. But a closer look back in time shows us that all the club's recent managers have modified some kind of aspect because the opposing teams had begun to decipher the team's strategy.

Cruyff went from three to four defenders

Cruff's eight-year spell as manager was littered with different changes. The team also frequently played long passes, which was one of the reasons why Koeman was played at the back. Cruyff even failed to field a single natural defender in one game against Valencia: with Goico, Eusebio and Koeman. The team used a back-three, but after a 6-3 defeat in Zaragoza, the Dutchman reconsidered and decided to play four.

Van Gaal used wingers to create chances

The Dutch coach returned to Cruyff's system after Robson's Barça had played a 4-2-3-1 formation. It was the return to the Dutch way of playing, but Van Gaal's side followed stricter tactics. Van Gaal went back to using fixed wingers: Luis Figo and Rivaldo.

Rijkaard changed the position of Xavi and Puyol

The first thing he did was to revert to the 4-3-3 formation and put an emphasis on controlling possession, which had previously been lost. He did not make major tactical changes, but he moved Xavi Hernández ahead by about 10 metres. Another important change he made was to move Puyol from full-back to centre-back.
Guardiola introduced 'false number nine' and three defenders

Pep was the real innovator in the system. He continued Rijkaard's strategy but added new elements. He moved Messi and then changed to a defensive back-three.

Tito went back to using wide players and large share of possession

One of the changes implemented by Vilanova was to go back to using wide players. Tito's Barça also played one match with eleven home-bred players, which Guardiola was unable to do.