Defense three, Dembélé in the axis ... how Koeman relaunched Barça before Paris?

Chin raised, bust straight.

Ronald Koeman can be proud to have so well revived FC Barcelona, ​​which has not ceased to pique its crisis for more than a year.

The humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich (2-8), the "Barçagate", the change of presidency, the spleen of Lionel Messi ... The Dutch coach embarked on a sports mismatch in August 2020. But with time and work, the former Barcelona defender has activated the right levers to revitalize the Blaugranas.

In 2021, Barça took 28 points out of 30 possible in La Liga.

He broke his teeth against a Paris Saint-Germain better prepared in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (1-4), but for three matches, Koeman has changed things again.

And it works well.

A three-way defense with a French accent

At Sevilla FC in the league on February 27 (0-2), Koeman inaugurated a three-way defense: Clément Lenglet left axis, Oscar Mingueza right axis and Gerard Pique between the two.

This new system has notably made it possible to lighten the defensive tasks of the lane players, Jordi Alba and Sergino Dest.

If they were not decisive, the two full-backs weighed heavily offensively, exploiting the best of their qualities.

Starting eleven identical 4 days later against ... Sevilla, Copa del Rey semi-final (3-0).

It was Pique who, with his head and in added time, sent the two teams into overtime.

Before getting hurt.

The Spaniard is forfeited for the trip to Paris and should be replaced by Samuel Umtiti.

At least that's what Koeman opted for on Osasuna's lawn on Sunday (0-2), the Frenchman occupying the left axis and letting Lenglet come between him and Mingueza.

The feverishness of this defense remains palpable: Marc-André Ter Stegen has been playing for a week, notably stopping an Ocampos penalty against Sevilla.

But the connection of Alba, scorer, with Messi, decisive passer against Osasuna, was considered "brilliant" by Koeman.

Pique's goal against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-final (3-0)

Young people are gaining ground

On social networks, supporters joke that they call him Messi's heir.

If he is not there yet, the attacking midfielder Pedri (18 years old, 1m74) shows a personality worthy of FC Barcelona.

Its ease with the ball at the foot and its ability to fluidify the game flavor Barça with Koeman sauce.

The Dutch coach offered a makeover to a group that had to be hermetic to the politico-economic controversies of the club.

In defense, he launched Oscar Mingueza (21), holder in 8 of the last 9 La Liga matches.

Ronald Araujo (22) also made a place for himself before injuring his ankle.

Winger Ansu Fati (18) launched the foundation for an explosive season ... until a serious knee injury in November.

But Koeman pulled a new club-trained player out of his hat in 2021: midfielder Ilaix Moriba (18), overjoyed after his goal against Osasuna on a Messi pass.

What to overthrow PSG in the Champions League?

Probably not, but the future now looks bright for Barcelona.

Dembélé has found his place

He has played 20 matches in a row with FC Barcelona, ​​unheard of for him since ... his arrival in Catalonia in the summer of 2017. Ousmane Dembélé has left injuries and any performance behind him.

The French world champion (23) has been repositioned at the forefront of the attack in the last two matches against Sevilla, next to Leo Messi.

His taking depth caused miseries to the Andalusian defense, like his goal in the league (0-2).

He was almost at a standstill, at 18 meters, when he shook the nets in the cup (3-0).

Little by little, the former Rennais freed himself from his blinders and won in accuracy with the game against him.

All this to the detriment of his compatriot, Antoine Griezmann, who had his chance against Osasuna, where he held in place of Dembélé.

The next day, the Catalan daily

Sport

deplored a Griezmann "still missing".

This is one of the regrets, so far, that Koeman may have: the Habs recruited for € 120 million a year and a half ago have never won over time at Barça.

However, his talent would not be too much to create a sensation at the Parc des Princes this Wednesday.

Dembélé's goal against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-final (3-0)

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