The key to this formation is the triangle of players consisting of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta in the opponents half. Messi dropping to midfield as a deep Centreforward will draw the centrebacks to him making space for the likes of Villa and Pedro to explot. Of course this like all FCb formation is flexibel and can revert to a flat 4-3-3 when required with Messi going to the right, Pedro to the left and Villa down the middle.
Alves is key to this formation as he pushing forward will make Pique move to the right to cover. Bisquets then drops back as an auxillary centreback to provide cover, so, essentially while attacking the formation is a staggered 3-4-3 with both Abidal and Alves as additional midfielders and the 3 at the back being Puyol, Busquets and Pique.
Good, if you have a good score, change Pedro with Keita and play 4-2-3-1 , Keita-Busq // Ini -Xavi - Messi // Villa (Messi open near Villa)
Isn't it a trequartista rather than false CF. Baggio, Totti, Hagi and my man Zola used to play this role.
MhmBbk
I prefer a fully fit Iniesta over Keita but there has been no doubt that Keita has been excellent over the last two seasons
Zola
I use the term False CF because the way Messi plays is very reminiscent of the way Laudrup played with Stoichkov and Romario.
