I have been following Barca's season with great interest mostly because I am a Brazilian (Ronaldinho is my favorite player) and a huge Dutch fan. Unfortuantely I have only been able to watch about 3 Barca games and none since Davids have been signed. I was wondering, what exactly is the formation that Rjikaard has been playing? a 4-3-3? Where does Ronaldinho play? In the hole, next to Saviola? Why is Luis Garcia starting?
Rijkaard has shifted indeed to a 4-3-3 which folks consider to give him an Italian feel in defence. This means dropping the classic wingers, Overmaars (injured a lot, a fragile player in body and in mind) and Quaresma the Portugal right wing, who is not travelling to La Coruña today. Saviola plays up front and Ronaldinho is ostensibly on the left though has a lot of freedom of movement and this causes probs to defend him, as you can't put a sole marker on him. Luis García is a dynamic left-footed player on the right, doing good playmaking and working hard. He lacks a bit of goal but has been a positive factor in the winning streak. The midfield has Xavi or Iniesta subbing in as offensive playmaker (a role Ronaldinho often picks up as well), while Davids has been a big boost both holding in the middle and ball handling. Cocu is now in the middle as well after playing as a fill-in back, better where he is. Fourth midfielder alters between Brazilian Motta, Gerard, Luis Enrique if more attack is needed. At the back Marquéz has improved a lot in the last months but is out injured, so that the middle features Puyol in the middle with youth team player Oleguer Presas now beside him. Van Bronckhorst is reliable but unspectacular on the left, while the right back has changed a lot, now looks to be Reiziger's spot. Valdes has ensured the starting spot in goal, is damn good, and young still. Rustu not having a Euro passport is a problem, even for subbing in if necessary, though with Marquéz out that problem is solved temporarily. A fine youth team keeper is Albert Jorquera, who has done well in his two full matches for the team.
I believe the decision to remove the Classic winger formation is because Saviola will not win any Aerial challenges against a Top Flight defender. Allowing Saviola to run more..and move both vertically and horizontally along the pitch will maximize his performances.
