Is this Adama Traore’s Barcelona now?

Barca Blaugranes

Are you not entertained?

I’m not just talking about the intensity and passion of this great Catalan rivalry.

I’m talking about Adama Traore, who is a one man show, and becoming the most valuable player for this iteration of Xavi’s Barca.

Wolves, for all their success and high quality football during Adama’s tenure, never got the most of him because they never built their tactics around him.

Xavi has done the opposite, instructing his right fullbacks to stay out of the way, clearing space for Adama to operate in isolation, knowing there’s not a defender in the world who can stop him mano a mano.

This works as an attacking strategy by not only creating chances for Adama, but by opening up space on the left for Jordi Alba and Gavi, yes Gavi, to take on defenders as well.

The team is finding success playing this way, and Xavi should recognize it as a building block.

With Adama as the focal point, the next question becomes who joins him?

One of the frustrations of the Espanyol collapse, and late game comeback, is that it hides all the good that was a continuation from the Atleti smackdown.

Tactically, things are starting to come into focus.

The high pressing has been effective, especially with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri as the main actors…