Gap On Barcelona’s Left Side Defence

DBasia.news –  Valencia nearly gave Barcelona a third defeat in the LaLiga. Valencia led the score 2-0 while at Camp Nou, before Barca equalized the position through the megastar’s brace (two goals), Lionel Messi.

Though still being able to scoop one point, it’s as if the match against Valencia unfolded Barcelona’s weakness. Which has honestly been going on all season. That point being the left side defence.

Not detached from the players depth in this position. Contrast from other areas where having more than one coating player is practical for Barcelona’s left defender Jordi Alba.

Even with a coater, the player is not in position to be a natural left back. This situation certainly raises caution for Eernesto Valverde if Jordi Alba has to be absent, like going up against Athletico Bilbao next week.

While facing Valencia, Valverde initially did not play Jordi Alba from the beginning. But the coach ultimately played him on the second half after seeing Sergi Roberto struggle to play left defender.

Valverde is seemingly aware that the squad does not have the coater, Jordi Alba. Evidently Valverde has given Jordi Alba a break several times. However while also trying to do the rotation, Valverde realised  he doesn’t have a qualified coater.

Valverde has raised a few names to fill in the left defender position. At the beginning of Copa Del Rey, Valverde tried out Barca’s young player, Juan Miranda. However Miranda’s position was replaced by Nelson Semedo who was operating the right back.

Will Valverde succeed in switching Semedo’s position to left back? Absolutely not. While going up against Sevilla in Copa Del Rey, Semedo became a weak spot for Barca’s defence. He was made to face Pablo Sarabia and Jesus Navas’ attack.

Seeing that, Valverde then tried to play other right backs on the left side, Sergio Robertp, while against Valencia.

It’s interesting to see what will Valverde do next when Barcelona comes to Bilbao quarters, San Mames next week.