Roberticus @ 17.07.2009

Both halves of the pitch reflect Barcelona's front five; what I would imagine to be their attacking options

CaptainGerard @ 17.07.2009

Surely they'll not sign Ibra and Villa together. Whoever they sign he'll lead the attack rather than playing like wing forwards as in your top bit.

Roberticus @ 24.07.2009

Yeah, looks like Villa is staying at Valencia.

But the principle of the formation is true: this is what Guardiola wants for this season, at least as a Plan B to the 4-1-2-3. As seen in the games versus Madrid and Manchester United, he will place an attacking player as a false striker, the way Cruyff used to alternate Laudrup. Sometimes he (Messi or Ibra; they could rotate)will be up against the centre-backs, on other ocassions he will drop off into the midfield to confuse the centre-backs (do we follow him??) and allow the wide players to cut in and head for goal.