Analysis: Barcelona

Having already secured top spot in the group, Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde rested a number of star names, including Lionel Messi. The team continued in its 4-3-3 structure, with full-backs Nelson Semedo and Juan Miranda a key outlet during their build. Neither were required as Ousmane Dembele struck Barca into an early lead, however.

Avoiding Tottenham’s central diamond – and overload – was the priority for the hosts. In order to simultaneously push both full-backs forward, Arthur joined Ivan Rakitic in dropping deep within the back line, providing more security should they lose possession within midfield. Chipped passes over Tottenham’s full-backs repeatedly found both Miranda and Semedo in behind; they then looked for low crosses for lone striker Munir to attack in behind the Spurs defence, or cut-backs for Philippe Coutinho coming in from the left.

As the half progressed, Coutinho became more of a central presence, which helped the home side gain more control in the centre – particularly as the Tottenham diamond was proving difficult to penetrate. This also allowed Miranda to become a more permanent attacking threat down the left flank, as the hosts tried to isolate the already booked Kyle Walker-Peters.

Although the home side remained in front, they created little else in a first half Tottenham largely dominated. Individual brilliance from the likes of Arthur or Coutinho did at times progress the ball into the final third – the latter clipping the outside of the post with a shot from nowhere – but on the whole they had little to show for their lead.

Rakitic was replaced by Sergio Busquets at half-time, as the hosts tried to regain control in the middle of the park. This worked to a point, but Barca continued to be pegged back by strong Tottenham pressure – it was no surprise when Valverde called in the cavalry and introduced Messi for the final 30 minutes. He was unable to inspire any further score from his side, however, as they continued to build with short passes from deep rather than counter-attacking at pace against a Spurs team pressing hard for an equaliser.

Without the ball, the home side formed a mid-block structure, rarely committing to a high press in the first half. Rakitic was the single pivot; he protected the central space between defence and midfield, while both Dembele and Coutinho were forced to recover back against attacking opposition full-backs.

Dele Alli’s varied and unpredictable movements either horizontally to support the ball, or vertically to support passes into Harry Kane, caused Rakitic constant issues. If these forward runs were directed away from the central lane, the Croatian was uncomfortable following the England midfielder and leaving a huge central gap. If he left Alli to his own devices, then Spurs could create a two-on-one against Barcelona’s back line. This became a recurring issue in the first half – Son Heung-min should have levelled after Rakitic was once more dragged away by Alli.

Arthur moved back into a deeper position to form a double pivot against Alli’s runs while blocking off access into Kane or Son. From here, Tottenham’s possession increased as Barcelona had fewer players pressing the ball in advanced positions – but the hosts were much more stable in their own half.

A higher defensive line in the second half ensured Tottenham had much less room to sustain possession in the midfield third. However, with more space in behind, the away side looked to more direct passes and runs into the enhanced spaces, with Barcelona unable to block play around the sides of their block. This did make the second half a little more open, as the hosts in turn had more space to exploit in behind the increasing number of midfield runners Spurs sent ahead of the ball.