With this summer’s signing of Thierry Henry, many predicted a change in the system in order to accomodate Henry in the same team as Leo Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho. However, the evidence from the two games in Scotland suggests that Frank Rijkaard is going to continue with the same 4-3-3 system seen in the last four seasons.
With Leo Messi still on holiday, Rijkaard chose not to play Henry in the starting line-up alongside Eto’o and Ronnie, instead preferring to give Messi’s place to Santi Ezquerro. In both games Henry played the second half with Bojan and Giovani as his strike partners. Henry will no doubt get a chance to play with Eto’o and Ronnie on the Asian tour, and I would be very surprised if Rijkaard had already decided on his preferred front three. It does now seem increasingly unlikely that the system will be altered.
Another indication of what is to come was the choice of the midfield three. Toure Yaya started both games in the defensive midfield position and the reports say he did very well. The other two midfield places went to Iniesta and Xavi, Deco was only used as a second half substitute in both games. Does this mean Rijkaard sees Xavi and Iniesta as his preferred midfield pairing? Will Deco find his opportunities reduced this season? Only time will tell.
There have been fewer clues as to who will play in defence due to the absence of both Puyol and Milito, but Zambrotta and Abidal will almost certainly be the favourites for the full back positions, while Marquez and Thuram will battle it out for who begins the season alongside Milito, until Puyol is fit.