Koeman continues looking for the suitable formula in the Barcelona

When they hired Ronald Koeman to manage Barcelona, ​​the club knew what it was getting.

He was stubborn and did not allow himself to be pushed. In August, those sounded like positive qualities. The team was humiliated, Lionel Messi was determined to leave and President Josep Maria Bartomeu was determined to stay.

It seemed to be hitting rock bottom, a consequence of years of shortsighted decision-making. Few people at the time expected Koeman to come in and win a league title. He inherited a mess, but with his reputation for disciplining, he could provide stability and leadership.

Despite disappointing results and general inconsistency from week to week, it could be argued that with elections for the new president just around the corner, Koeman has done as well as anyone could hope for.

Realistically, Barça are playing in the top four in the league and a decent streak in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. This year is really about rebuilding, and with that in mind, these less ambitious goals still seem perfectly achievable. Ultimately, the new president will provide a roadmap for the future, and the first decision will be whether to select a new manager.

Koeman now has a few weeks to earn that trust. For the good of the club, you better find a way to do things right. Hiring a new coach mid-season would be a big risk. Keeping things stable is what is needed in the short term.

For that to happen, Koeman must critically analyze what doesn’t work and not lose sight of the things that do.

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The most obvious problem in the field is the surplus of the numbers 10. Really only one person should play this role, but on any given day Barcelona has up to four. Against Valencia, it meant that Philippe Coutinho, Messi, Pedri and Antoine Griezmann met each other.

This mistake has continued and there is no excuse for Koeman to keep making it.

To solve the problem, you have two options. The first is realizing that you won’t be able to play with your most talented players at the same time. Coutinho is probably the odd man, but that doesn’t mean he won’t play a role this season. There will be many opportunities, but for now Pedri has earned the opportunity to be the first to climb. However, in the end, this may not be enough. If the congestion in the middle continues, Griezmann may be the next player with the short straw.

The second option is to walk away from 4-2-3-1 once and for all. A 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 might not be perfect, but given the injuries, it would take advantage of the strength of the players that are available.

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The other side of this problem is how to get more breadth from the team. Recently, Martin Braithwaite has been asked to play wide. He has done well, but cannot continue. His impact comes as a center forward and not as an improvised winger.

Fortunately, Ousmane Dembele will be back soon. It will not be enough. Konrad de la Fuente needs to have a chance. Even if it is not the first option, play the position. This is hugely important. The team looks totally shapeless and disorganized, even when they are playing well, and the way to fix that is to put the players in their natural positions.

Finally, what really doesn’t work is grudges against players. If Koeman doesn’t give Riqui Puig and Miralem Pjanic a fair shot, he will shoot himself in the foot.

Adding these two players to the rotation and changing the formation to suit it would be a great investment in your money movement.

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Since the Juventus game, the intensity has increased, but it is somewhat fickle. To maintain it, you will need to be rewarded with a steady profit.

Frenkie de Jong and Pedri have stepped forward, and it is the hot hand that Koeman needs to keep playing.

The double pivot should be eliminated. Instead, Barcelona has a winning combination with Sergio Busquets or Miralem Pjanic holding (vying for it), and Frenkie playing alongside Pedri in offensive midfield. This would require a return to a 4-3-3, which would have the added benefit of providing opportunities for Riqui and Carles Alena.

Dembélé was in great shape before he was injured. He has been one of the highlights of the season, and when he returns, he should be given the prominent role he deserves.

Martin Braithwaite has been excellent, evidence that a real number nine is better than a fake one. Even though you have missed some opportunities, you have created enough to make up for them.

Finally, the children are good on defense. Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza have done well given the big shoes they have been asked to fill. Koeman should support them, even if they make mistakes. It is the only way to learn and grow. If you can get the team to attack and put pressure on opponents, these young defenders will execute on the other end.

Some of these changes are obvious. The only thing standing in the way is the manager’s ego. Koeman’s self-confidence has been an asset in some ways, but you’ll need to combine it with humility to make the decisions needed in the future to keep the job.