Fansided

5 bold La Liga predictions: Barcelona bounce back against Atletico

By Benjamin Barkworth

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Ernesto Valverde head coach of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Ernesto Valverde head coach of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Nantes’ Portuguese head coach Miguel Cardoso looks on during the French L1 football match between Lille (LOSC) and Nantes at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, on September 22, 2018. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP) (Photo credit should read DENIS CHARLET/AFP/Getty Images)
Nantes’ Portuguese head coach Miguel Cardoso looks on during the French L1 football match between Lille (LOSC) and Nantes at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, on September 22, 2018. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP) (Photo credit should read DENIS CHARLET/AFP/Getty Images) /

4. Miguel Cardoso to start with a win

Antonio Mohamed lost his job after a 4-2 loss to Real Madrid that was marked with some extremely physical play from his side and saw three Real players go off injured. His Celta tenure started brightly with the highlight being a convincing win over Atletico Madrid, but it soon fizzled out as teams found it easy to pick holes in their defensive shape. Seven points in the last nine games was nowhere near enough for a team aiming to finish in the European places.

Cardoso is similar to Mohamed in that he is willing to take risks as part of his bold philosophy that sees his teams press high with a high defensive line as they aim to control territory and possession. He was assistant manager to Paolo Fonseca at Shakhtar Donetsk. Fonseca is also known for his proactive approach, so it appears to have had an influence on Cardoso. His first head coach role at Portuguese side Rio Ave was a huge success as they achieved qualification for the Europa League.

He moved on to Nantes in Ligue 1 for the start of this season but was sacked after eight games after picking up only six points. This is a bold decision for the Celta board, but they have a gifted group of players who have the technical ability and tactical intelligence to successfully bring his ideas to life.

Real Sociedad under Asier Garitano are willing to cede possession and let teams come on to them before regaining possession and quickly transitioning. This contrast in styles could be a tough way for Cardoso to start his time at the club, but he has had the international break to drill his players while La Real won’t be sure what to expect in terms of recognizable patterns of play or even the formation, which hands Celta an advantage.

Home/La Liga