Roles Change
The game we are analysing today is the third of five in the OkLiga playoffs between Barça and Reus. It ended 4-3 for Reus. This set of games forms the semi-finals for the OkLiga title. At this stage, the series was 2-1 in favour of Barcelona. This game could have secured Barça's place in the final, but Reus won and kept their hopes alive.
As a reminder, follow these steps:
- Take a look at the video: Reus Deportiu vs Barça (4-3) | HIGHLIGHTS PLAY OFF PARLEM OK LLIGA
- Read and think about the analysis.
- Match the analysis and the video. It starts at 2:50.
Positioning
Let’s start from the beginning. Barça restarts the game after a foul, and we can see how all the players position themselves according to the ball. The ball is between positions 4 and 3, so one player is positioned at 7 and another at the area’s top corner. Alabart (Barça Nº3) is waiting, looking for a defensive reaction.
Zone 3 is consider as creation zone
Patience
M. Grau (Barça Nº28) is the player at the top corner, looking to block Alabart several times, but Alabart doesn’t attempt anything initially. Alabart is observing how the defence is moving. He spots a gap—the weak side defender. As soon as his teammate starts skating, Alabart skates in his own direction but keeps looking for the gap to exploit, drawing the defender’s attention.
Weak Side
Eloi Cervera (Barça Nº72) takes advantage of the weak side. He receives the ball while skating with a significant advantage, allowing him to execute right in front of the goalie.