Two reasons why Alejandro Balde’s offensive contributions have reduced for Barcelona

Journalist Ferran Correas has analysed in SPORT that Alejandro Balde’s offensive contribution for Barcelona this season has declined so much so that the young full-back has only assisted a solitary goal, which was scored by Sergi Roberto during the 2-2 draw against Granada in early October.

However, that only attributed to one thing that a certain Joao Cancelo is now shouldering the offensive duties, as a result of which Balde is limited to his half.

Now, Balde is without a doubt a vital member of Xavi’s team. This season, Balde has featured in 13 out of the 14 matches Barcelona have played and his only absence was due to an injury. 

Statistics on decline, but performance is not

While there is absolutely no denying Balde’s commitment to the club, his offensive impact has waned in comparison to the previous season, with the left-back delivering just a solitary assist.

The statistics paint a striking picture when comparing Balde’s contributions to the team last season, where he had a premature end due to an ankle injury. 

Having persuaded Xavi during the pre-season last year that he deserves a spot in the first team, Balde successfully displaced Alba from the starting lineup. Over the course of the previous season, he managed to tally seven assists and this was capped off with a goal.

Why the decline?

Balde’s declining offensive attribute could be credited to both the team’s tactical approach and the arrival of Cancelo. Xavi’s strategy often revolves around deploying Joao Felix on the left flank, limiting the space available for Balde to exploit.

This means Balde does not have much work in offence and thus, he is limited to performing defensive duties more often than not.

Additionally, having Cancelo as the right-wing option has brought about two significant changes. First, it has shifted the focal point of the team’s attacking plays towards the right side.

Second, Balde now shoulders the responsibility of maintaining defensive stability, as he needs to secure his position, ensuring that the team remains solid in the backline.

In essence, Balde finds himself in a situation where he must exercise caution when venturing forward, a contrast to the previous season when a central defender like Jules Kounde would cover the right side, allowing Balde greater offensive freedom while helping to bolster both Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen’s defensive efforts.