We Must Change Our Style - Pique

Started by Folami David, Sep 18, 2013, 10:32 AM

Folami David

Barcelona embark on a new Champions League campaign on Wednesday against Ajax Amsterdam determined to vary their style of play amid suggestions they have become too predictable in attack.
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"We've been playing the same way and Tata (coach Gerardo Martino) wants us to make some changes," Spain defender Gerard Pique told reporters on Tuesday.
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"We need more time. We're trying to find the balance between playing more directly and playing as always.
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But things are going well," he added on the eve of the Group H tie against Ajax, the first meeting of the two former European champions.
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Barcelona's signature style of quick, short passes - dubbed 'tiki-taka' - and dominant ball possession proved a successful formula under coach Pep Guardiola from the 2008-09 season.
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Since then the Catalan club have won two Champions League crowns and four La Liga titles. But critics declared Barcelona's eminence over when they were humbled 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the semifinals of last season's competition. Pique said Barca's rivals now "know what we are going to do", which is making victories harder to come by. "We need to find new ways to attack," he explained.
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The Catalans have begun their La Liga title defence with four wins in four matches but defensive lapses in the second half, especially in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Sevilla, have made them vulnerable.