I don't know what any other coach could do today, against Valencia.
Any other coach with imagination, inspiration, tactical and strategic knowledge would have realized that the starting 4-4-2 is a certain entry for fiasco.
But Valverde only likes that type of something, which is not even a system as such.
Valencia played a very defense-oriented 4-4-2 in the first half, hoping to counter-attack.
Against a team like that:
- you try to be as offensive as possible, regardless the missing players, so Malcom should have started.
- you try to bait their midfield out, so long balls are the only chance to create some chances.
- you should realize that mere possession leads nowhere in this situation, so speeding up the game is the solution.
- after conceding the first goal the wise coach should have IMMEDIATELY brake the 4-4-2, because the first aim should have been: to score the soonest.
- after the second conceded, Busquets should have been taken out for Vidal.
- as there were only 3 shots on target in the first half, so nothing really worked, ANY tactical change would have been better than nothing.
you have almost no choice. 4-4-2 system was his only chance today with Messi and Coutinho in the attack.
No. For this team Messi needs to come back to create something and Coutinho is anything but a real attacker.
That virtually meant to be left without any attacker.
When Coutinho often tried to cross to the right, it was a good kind of change, but it didn't work.
Roberto's role was highly undefined in the first half and he played in the possible worst space, filled with opposition defenders.