BARTRAS TIME

It seems yesteday like we started to tweet bara's game against Real Sociedad and here we are once again. Today we want to talk about one player that tomorrow will have all the flashes facing him. Marc Bartra. The catalan player from Sant Jaume dels Domenys, will replace Mascherano for second time,after his great performance against Almeria, in the defensive line next to Piqu. Once again, probably Piqu will occupy the left side next to Adriano giving the right side for Bartra next to Alves.

Bartra seems ready to face a challenge like a Champions League game.

Martino proceed to do that after Masherano's injury against Real Sociedad and Bartra's performance was more than reliable. Same thing against Almeria, Marc Bartra had a brilliant game being very consistent in defense and proactive in offense, he progressed really well with the ball he was almost to score again, which would represent two goals in two games for the center back from Sant Jaume dels Domenys.

Like last game, the experience in the field of Piqu allows Tata to put Piqu next to Adriano and give Bartra the ride side to be more comfortable with the ball when he has to build the game from the back. That tactical adjustment will provide to the team two center backs that don't have any problem to break opponent's pressure lines with their passes or progress with the ball to the second third of the field to create numerical superiority, something natural for both Catalan center backs that have been learning this style since they were kids. A priori this will be a great advantage for Barcelona against Celtic because Neil Lennon will have to decide where and how to pressure to recover the ball. The young talented Bartra, or the experienced Pique in the left side? Hard to decide.

Bartra is in a difficult situation in his career though. Last year Marc spent the first 12 games switching bench and Camp Nou seats without playing any minute. Tito converted him in the sixth center back behind Song and Adriano because of Pique, Puyol and Alves injuries. This year before Real Sociedad game, Martino didn t count on him. Tomorrow is time for him to prove that he is ready to face this kind of games where physical presence will be one of the main opponents weapons. Samaras (192cm/ 6.2) and Amido Balde (193cm/ 6.3) sound like possible starters in the Celtic offensive line. Last Bartras Champions League experience was against Bayern Munchen when Barcelona lost 4-0 at Allianz Arena and we all could see that this moment was too early for him, especially when he didnt have minutes before that performance and he had to face one of the best offensive lines in the Champions League: Ribery, Mario Gomez, Muller and Robben. This year the situation is quite similar, Puyol is about to come back and Mascherano will be available in two weeks. However, soccer concedes second chances when you dont expect them. Bartra will live again the same story one year later. Again in the lineup at Celtic Park. His confidence in himself has changed and the fact of having played 150 minutes during the last two games will be a great advantage for him. Although he certainly knows that he cant fail tomorrow against Celtic if he wants to keep having the confidence of Tata Martino. These are the secrets that Marc Bartra will have to follow to suceed in his performance: Place properly in the field depending on ball, teammates and opponents position in situations that are likely to be crossed into the box Coverage Pique in air ball fights Leave the box as fast as possible after the ball is cleared from a opponent s cross Mark man to man inside the box in possible opponent s crosses Drop back fast when there is a possible cross between the goalkeeper and defensive line.

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