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Where Can Barcelona Improve Defensively in 2015?

Jason Pettigrove@@jaypetti1971X.com LogoContributor IFebruary 1, 2015

Barca can still improve defensively during the course of the year.
Barca can still improve defensively during the course of the year.Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Barcelona can rightly lay claim to getting things right in defensive areas this season.

Just nine goals conceded in the current La Liga campaign informs us of a solidity right across the line that, at this point, not even Pep Guardiola’s Barca could match.

That three of those goals were plundered by Real Madrid in El Clasico makes the feat even more impressive.

The numbers speak for themselves, of course, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.

Aside from the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, Barca’s defence was also found wanting in the away leg of their Champions League group game against Paris Saint-Germain.

Let’s take a look at where the Catalans can up their game even further in defence…

Jordi Alba and Dani Alves need to work on the defensive rather than offensive side of their game.
Jordi Alba and Dani Alves need to work on the defensive rather than offensive side of their game.Clint Hughes/Associated Press

Wide areas

This is possibly the weakest area in the back line, and both Dani Alves and Jordi Alba are culpable.

It’s long been contended that Barcelona’s Achilles' heel is the high ball into the box and that the protagonists are aerially inferior.

However, if the crosses into the box from the wide areas were cut out at source, then there isn’t a potential problem to deal with centrally.

The issue partly arises because, presently at least, Barca’s game revolves around both Alves and Alba, or their deputies, getting forward at every opportunity to provide a supplementary attacking presence.

It only takes a high ball over the top and a break by counter-attack specialists to render Barca’s full-backs impotent.

Even when in position, their defensive aptitude can be found wanting.

Squawka note that Alves wins only 42 percent of his tackles while Alba fares little better at 51 percent. Both are among the worst in the squad. 

Gerard Pique has improved but his team-mates need to become more proficient in the air.
Gerard Pique has improved but his team-mates need to become more proficient in the air.Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Aerially

As noted earlier in this article, Barca need to drastically improve their game in this area.

Defenders who are over 6'0" should have no problem clearing a ball floated into their area.

Perhaps part of the issue is a continued use of Javier Mascherano in that particular role. No one can question the Argentine’s commitment and ability generally but being so small is quite obviously a hindrance rather than a help.

After a stop-start tenure under Luis Enrique, Gerard Pique has improved sufficiently to leave no doubts once again as to his suitability as a starter in this regime.

Marc Bartra and Jeremy Mathieu also offer a good aerial presence. With Thomas Vermaelen still to return, the Catalans would then have four defenders over 6'0".

Aerial disability will hopefully become a thing of the past. 

Barcelona need competition for places to ensure excellence in all areas at all times.
Barcelona need competition for places to ensure excellence in all areas at all times.Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Train as you play/competition for places

Two high-quality players for every position is a coach's dream but Barca haven’t really had that luxury defensively until now.

Within the elite European sides, you need to have that competition for places. Players constantly on their toes, fighting for their professional lives.

Where is the incentive to bust a gut in training if you are going to walk into the starting XI every Saturday afternoon?

Keeping players motivated and focused is likely to be one of the biggest challenges for Luis Enrique.

Once Vermaelen returns there is a healthy competition to be had centrally, however, if Douglas is the future right-back should Alves leave, per Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, then Barca will find themselves in trouble again.