Barcelona showcased their attacking control from the opening whistle in their clash against Copenhagen, but detailed analysis revealed a stark imbalance between the wings.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the right flank, spearheaded by Jules Koundé and linked with Lamine Yamal, consistently outperformed the left, which was led by Alejandro Baldé.
The report highlights how Barcelona’s offensive structure revolved around the right side, providing both fluidity and effectiveness in attack.
Both Koundé and Yamal bring African heritage to the forefront of Barcelona’s system, adding not only technical skill but also physical dynamism and versatility.
Koundé, the French full-back of Beninese descent, displayed remarkable involvement, participating in 129 touches throughout the match.
His contributions spanned offensive surges, defensive recoveries, and continuous ball circulation, underscoring his centrality in Hans Flick’s tactical plan.
Yamal, a Spanish international of Moroccan and Equatoguinean descents, capitalized on Koundé’s precision, constantly dropping into midfield to receive the ball, link play, and transition it forward, creating a fluid attacking pattern on the right.
Statistical analysis confirmed the dominance of the right side. Most of Koundé’s passes were directed toward Pau Cubarsi (39), while the player he targeted most frequently was Lamine Yamal with 26 touches, followed by Eric Garcia on 13 occasions.
In contrast, Baldé primarily connected with Gerard Martin (21 passes) and Raphinha (11), highlighting the left wing’s lower involvement in Barcelona’s forward movements.
Furthermore, the Koundé-Yamal-Lewandowski connection produced 31 direct passes toward goal-scoring opportunities, more than double the 14 successful links generated from Baldé’s side to Lewandowski or Raphinha.
The tactical disparity reflects the different approaches of the two wingers: Yamal’s tendency to drop into midfield enhances ball progression and creativity, while Raphinha focuses on exploiting space and vertical runs. U
nder Flick’s guidance, Barcelona has developed a multi-dimensional attack that leverages this diversity, but Copenhagen’s match underscored the undeniable importance of the right wing as the team’s primary engine for offensive cohesion and goal threats.
