Barcelona's Press Against Bayern
A new wrinkle in their out of possession setup could be here to stay
It was interesting to see how Barcelona setup their press against Bayern in their 7-1 win over the Bavarian side.
Usually, Barca setup in a 4-3-3 and press with a front 3. When I think about their press, I think of moments similar to the video below against Real Sociedad in Liga F last season.
The front 3 started more connected to the team’s shape to restrict access inside to central areas.
When players stepped to pressure, their angle of approach took away inside areas due to their starting positions.
I also think of moments similar to the one below against Real Madrid in the 2025 Super Copa Final where they squeezed the half space.
Here, Claudia Pina (the left wide forward in this moment) started wide enough to take away Real Madrid’s Right Back, but also on the inside of her.
As Madrid’s right center back took dribbling touches forward, Pina closed her down from Barca’s left while Ewa Pajor (the center forward in this moment) was pressuring from the right.
I must admit that Barca’s game against Bayern was the first game I’ve watched of them this season.
So I cannot say that they haven’t implemented a front 2 press that forces inside yet, but it is the first time that I’ve seen them do it consistently throughout a game.
What stood out to me about their press was not only how effective it was, but also how quickly they were able to reform a front 3 to combine around and manipulate Bayern’s backline, and how quickly they were able to go forward after regaining possession.
In the video below, Salma Paralluelo (left forward) and Aitana Bonmati (right forward) started higher to restrict access to wider areas and force inside. Ewa Pajor (center forward) dropped down into an attacking midfield role.
After Bayern turned the ball over after playing into the half space, left back Esmee Brugts quickly found Pajor.
The front 3 were able to combine and create a shot opportunity in a dangerous area.
In the next clip below, Paralluelo, Pajor and Aitana started in a similar way to that in the previous clip.
After Bayern played long into a central area, Barca were able to regain and advance the ball quickly.
The front 3 were able to regain their in possession shape. In this sequence, their high positioning pinned Bayern’s backline which allowed left back Brugts and midfielder Alexia Putellas to make later arriving runs without getting picked up.
The last clip below starts slightly different where Putellas was in the attacking midfield role and had tracked a mark which makes the setup look like a front 3.
However, as the play evolves (and as Putellas followed her mark deeper) we see the front 2 emerge with left forward Claudia Pina and Pajor on the right.
After Bayern had chosen to go to their right (Barca’s left), Pajor stepped to pressure to force inside and keep Bayern’s possession pinned to the left.
Conclusion
Barcelona has been a dominant team on the women’s side for years now. What stands out to me is not only their play on the field, but the fact that they have been able to play a possession based game and still be consistently better year after year.
This post was an ode to their out of possession setup, work rate and execution. It hasn’t always been perfect (especially in big games vs Lyon in 2023 and Arsenal in 2025). However, when they get it right and are in the mood, they live up to their billing as the best team in the world.
Photo: CBS Sports