Barca President Joan Laporta has informed Ronald Koeman to return the club’s traditional 4-3-3 formation starting next season.

President Laporta told Koeman that the team needs to play more offensive football and that the 4-3-3 formation is non-negotiable. Koeman explained that he opted for a 3-5-2 formation because of the players he had to his availability. [cadena ser]

Barca has been using the 4-3-3 formation right from Joan Laporta’s first spell as Barca President. The formation is described as more offensive, giving the team extra attacking options in the final third (opposition half), compared to Keoman 3-5-2 formation which mainly focused on defending, and hitting on the counter.

Ronald Koeman started using a 3-5-2 formation Midway into the 2020/21 season. The formation helped the club in securing the Copa Del Rey title, but the downside of the formation is, “it’s too defensive, doesn’t offer much attacking options, not offensive enough.”

With Sergio Aguero’s arrival, it would be great to see Barca play the 4-3-3 formation once again, with Messi, Griezmann and Aguero playing upfront.