Report: Koeman chooses his first-choice Barcelona attack for next season

With the pre-season camp ahead of the 2021/22 campaign set to begin in a few days, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has started jotting out plans for the new season. The Dutchman had an up-and-down debut season in the managerial hot-seat at Camp Nou and will be aiming to fare better this time out.

While matters of contract renewals, wage cuts, player exits continue to dominate the headlines, Koeman, though, is busy chalking out his strategies for the upcoming campaign. And, it seems like there will be a major shift in formation and tactics at Barça come the 2021/22 season.

Going back to the old ways?

Indeed, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, journalist Lluis Canut, a close aide of Koeman has claimed, has claimed that the former Netherlands head coach is planning to switch to a 4-3-3 formation for the upcoming campaign, after having rarely used that setup in his first season in charge of the club.

Koeman, during the first half of the 2020/21 season, largely set Barcelona up in a 4-2-3-1 formation before opting for a three-man defensive system for the majority of the second half. However, it seems like the Dutchman will be reverting to Barcelona’s trademark 4-3-3 setup for his sophomore year.

M.A.D ready to take La Liga by storm?

The report even reveals the ideal front three that the manager has decided on for the campaign. Lionel Messi, once his contract renewal is sorted out, is expected to line up on the right flank, while new signing Sergio Aguero plays as the centre-forward. The third slot in the frontline will fall to another new arrival in the form of Memphis Depay.

Messi moving to the right is a necessity at this point considering that Barcelona have parted ways with Francisco Trincao while Ousmane Dembele is out on the sidelines for a considerable period.

As for Depay, the Dutchman was widely tipped to take over the No. 9 mantle at Barcelona ever since Koeman’s appointment was made last year. However, with the acquisition of a world-class striker like Aguero, who also has an understanding of playing with Messi, it makes sense for Depay to be moved to the left-wing, a position he is very much comfortable in.

Where this leaves Antoine Griezmann now remains to be seen. The Frenchman had benefited from the switch in tactics last term but might once again find himself on the periphery next season. More so, considering that Ansu Fati will be fit and raring to go as well.

As for the trident of Messi-Aguero-Depay, it would be preposterous to liken them to the legendary ‘MSN’ trio. But, a fit Aguero along with Messi, who is ageing like fine wine, and Depay, who is entering his peak years, can form a deadly frontline for Barcelona.