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27th November 2017
09:29am GMT

The new Barcelona manager has spread the greatest mind f**k since statisticians tried to count Xavi's passes.
In what looks like, from a distance, a full U-turn from the trailblazing philosophy that set Barca apart, they've reverted back to the old-school shape.
Barcelona - yes, Barcelona - are playing 4-4-2.
Youth development coaches around the world, just stop for a second to see how this plays out.
It might be one thing if they have the players perfectly-suited for that formation - it would still be considered blasphemy in some corners - but Valverde has seemingly shoe-horned personnel into this rigid style.
They're top of the league at present - their draw with Valencia on Sunday night keeps them four points clear of the same opposition and eight ahead of the two Madrid outfits but, despite all that, some fans are growing anxious.
You see, Barcelona are playing 4-4-2.
https://twitter.com/MrScripto/status/934878081017360385
https://twitter.com/adahtony/status/934876506781880320
https://twitter.com/_C_W__/status/934871635701698560
Whilst Messi leads the way as La Liga's top scorer with 12 goals already - and, it must be repeated, Barcelona lead the way in the table - it doesn't seem to be suiting everyone.
A proper look at some of their outfield options tells its own story.
Nelson Semedo
Had a torrid evening at right back against Valencia and was eventually brought off. There are complaints over the lack of help he was offered by this formation.
https://twitter.com/BusquetsMO/status/934928592441573376
Thomas Vermaelen
He's still playing for Barcelona?!
Jordi Alba
Good left backs like a 4-4-2.
https://twitter.com/RaazRafa/status/935061786851729413
Ivan Rakitic
Wasted on the wing.
https://twitter.com/barca_lead/status/934904327268917255
Paulinho
Maybe this whole thing is designed to get the best out of their big summer signing.
https://twitter.com/ElMedianoFM/status/934878007461736448
Andres Iniesta
Getting too old for this shit.
https://twitter.com/Karriss/status/934871335309922305
https://twitter.com/OmVArvind/status/934892608874254342
Lionel Messi
It doesn't really matter where you play him.
https://twitter.com/JussiLeppalahti/status/934884453058531334
Luis Suarez
At just 30 years of age, there are suggestions that his playing style and body type are catching up on him.
https://twitter.com/kallol_joadder/status/934935309665669121
The term 4-4-2, whilst used as a purpose to describe a shape or a formation, gradually progressed to being used as an insult.
If you followed better teams who played pure football, if you got the most out of technical midfielders or you were just a football hipster, 4-4-2 was a stick to beat everyone else with. You don't need to resort to that nonsense.
But, now, Barcelona play 4-4-2.

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