Barcelona isn’t quite the side it was with the 2021/2022 player roster pales in comparison to the legendary figures who dominated club football in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Villa, Sanchez and Pedro are all long gone, leaving the Catalan giants facing one of the largest rebuilding tasks in modern history.
That said, manager Xavi’s side have made some solid signings as recruitment continues at a relentless pace, even as some question how the club actually plans to pay half of these big names, given the debt it faces. currently facing. Anyway, FIFA managers don’t have to worry about such worries leaving them free to enjoy one of the best squads in the game to play with.
The ratings shown are from the latest FIFA 22 update, but does not take into account recent transfers or market activity.
12 Formation: 4-3-3 Holding (Alternative: 4-2-3-1)
The 4-3-3 formation capitalizes on Barça’s current strengths, which are pace and quick transition play. Memphis Depay’s front three, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembele are easily some of the most peaceful attacking outfits in the entire game, meaning it’s imperative to harness width and space as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
The 4-3-3 Attack formation is also a viable option, but Holding makes much more sense as it allows De Jong and Pedri to play as classic CMs, while Busquets captures his favorite CDM role.
For managers who want to change things up a bit, there is absolutely nothing wrong with falling back on the barely FIFA eternal of the 4-2-3-1, this time placing Memphis as the CAM alongside Ferran Torres at LW and Ousmane Dembélé again wide on the right and Aubameyang at the top, leaving de Jong and Busquets the two midfielders.
For both formations, more experimental managers might consider placing De Jong alongside Piqué at CB and letting Pedri come to midfield, resulting in a net numerical gain of +1 (87+82 instead of 87+81) and players enable the young starlet of Barça’s team. Be warned that De Jong’s strength, jumping and aggression are well behind Araujo’s, so the decision should not be taken lightly.
11 GK – Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The keeper isn’t exactly a tricky position to make a selection for and needs little discussion. Germany international ter Stegen is easily one of the best shot-stoppers in world football, and his inclusion is an undeniable must.
Brazilian Neto is a very good backup thanks to his solid rating of 81, but Ter Stetegen’s massive 88 total makes him one of the best players in the game. A stuck starter.
10 LB – Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba continues to be one of the world’s best left-backs and has been a fixture at Barcelona for a decade. His score of 84 is not the highest peak the Spaniard has achieved in his illustrious FIFA career, but there is little competition that comes close to putting him off.
Alba remains a hugely well-rounded fullback, and while none of his stats are really remarkable, very few are particularly bad. Alba’s 61 strength could lead to him being bullied by bigger wingers, but there’s little else the little Spaniard can’t do. His recording is undeniably essential.
9 CB – Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique is undoubtedly a Barcelona legend and one of the few players who can remember what it was like to be part of arguably the greatest club of all time. As with Jordi Alba, Piqué’s 84 rating indicates a player who is declining slightly (Piqué had a rating of 88 in FIFA 12), but it’s still the best option in the rear regardless of its downward trajectory.
Piqué’s strengths and weaknesses have been well documented since the beginning of his career. Never blessed with pace, the 35-year-old’s (50 and 63, respectively) acceleration and sprinting speed may disappoint him, but his immense size, strength, composure and aerial prowess make him a necessity in the back.
8 CB – Ronald Araújo
Ronald Araújo is still quite young for a central defender and still has a lot to develop, but his recent performances have earned him far more respect and admiration than his 81 rating would suggest.
He is arguably the lowest-rated player in this lineup and risks losing a seat to new signing Jules Koundé when FIFA 23 falls, but he is still a strong, solid choice to partner with Piqué. For setting up against crosses and long balls, Araújo and Piqué are the perfect pair.
7 RB – Sergi Roberto
It’s tempting to put returning club legend Dani Alves here instead, but Sergi Roberto’s 81 rating is far from Alves’ 77. Roberto is the lowest-rated player for Barca along with Araújo, but he’s a reliable choice with excellent stamina and very few fatal weaknesses.
He is also underrated as an offensive option. With some very handy crossing (82) and vision (82) stats, Roberto can be used as a more assertive fullback when he wants to play aggressively and with pressure.
6 CDM – Sergio Busquets
Club captain Sergio Busquets was already a club legend for Barcelona and has pretty much defined CDM’s role over the past ten or fifteen years. Busquets is not fast, mobile or very strong, but his football intelligence is practically unmatched, as evidenced by his composure, awareness, ball control and tackle stats.
With a rating of 84, Busquets is still an integral cog in the Barcelona machine.
5 CM – Pedri
Pedri’s rating requires an upgrade bowl FIFA 22but for now, the managers will have to make do with a rather disappointing 82 for the young midfielder.
Still, with 86 ball control, 86 short pass, 86 dribbling and even 86 stamina, Pedri fits perfectly into the engine room in midfield. His physical stats disappoint him somewhat, but in terms of technical midfielders able to propel the ball forward during transitional play, Pedri is already a master.
4 CM – Frenkie de Jong
One of the easiest picks to make and the first outfield name on the team sheet. De Jong has been a polarizing figure since he moved to Camp Nou, but few can argue with his obvious skill.
A whopping score of 87 makes him Barcelona’s best outfielder (until Lewandowski arrives), while 90 composure, 88 agility, 90 stamina, 86 vision and 89 ball control testify to his quality. The youngster isn’t strong and his disappointing shooting stats disappoint him, but otherwise the Dutchman’s inclusion is a no-brainer.
3 LW – Memphis Depay
It is strange that Barcelona want to get rid of former Manchester United man Memphis Depay, given how good he has been for the Catalan giants. Real politics aside, Memphis is an excellent option on both the LW and across the middle, with solid physical stats and exceptional ball control.
A predatory goalscorer, Memphis’ 84 finish, 87 shot power and 85 curve make him deadly when he cuts off his wing, while his versatility makes him an option as a false nine, a winger or an absolute striker. Wherever the Dutchman goes, he is an absolute force of nature in FIFA 22.
2 ST – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang has got off to a flying start at Barcelona, scoring 13 goals in 19 league appearances for La Liga. Aubameyang is all about speed, his spring speed of 88 and acceleration of 85, making him perfect for passing balls over the top and counterattacks against a strong side.
Aubameyang could lose his place to Robert Lewandowski when the Pole arrives next season, but for now he is the clear choice at the top. For a side set-up that mainly hits hard at break and moves quickly through phases, Aubameyang is pretty much ideal.
1 RW – Ousmane Dembele
It’s such a shame that much of Ousmane Dembele’s career at Barcelona has been plagued by injuries, but such an accident hasn’t affected the Frenchman’s stats too much. Still rated at 83, Dembélé remains one of FIFA’His best wingers, his pace, control and dynamics make him a deadly option on the right, not to mention five-star skills and a five-star weak foot.
However, for managers wanting a more reliable finisher at the top, Ferran Torres could be used to replace Dembele on the right wing, the Spaniard’s slower pace and ball control making up for this thanks to his much better attacking positioning and finishing stats. Either way, expect to undermine one for the other if either one shows signs of fatigue.
FIFA 22 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and Stadia.
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