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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Meade

Ronald Koeman facing dressing room revolt over key issue defining Barcelona's struggles

Ronald Koeman could soon face a backlash from the Barcelona dressing room as their horrid form continues.

The Spaniard's are well off the pace domestically and lost 3-0 to Juventus at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.

Their progression had already been secured, but it underlines their struggles at this moment.

Koeman has opted to make a tactical tweak in his short spell, changing from a 4-3-3 system to 4-2-3-1, which has not been well received claims Sport.

It has allowed him to better utilise the club's attacking talent as he tries to accommodate the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi.

Ronald Koeman has made a key tactical change (LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

But the balance of the team has been hugely affected and Barcelona have now lost three of their last six.

Frenkie De Jong, Miralem Pjanic and Sergio Busquets have shared the load at the base of midfield.

But with the Spaniard the only natural holding midfielder a defensive shield has failed to exist.

The pressing that has long been associated with the Catalans has also tailed off.

Koeman represented Barcelona as a player so is no stranger to their traditions.

Barcelona's player are frustrated with the new formation and its results (REUTERS)

The club's famed La Masia academy teaches it players from an early age about the 4-3-3 system that is implemented in the first team.

So the Dutchman's decision to begin altering tactics is unlikely to serve him well with tensions already simmering.

There is a feeling that Koeman's system is designed to suit Griezmann, Messi and Coutinho but doesn't account for deficiencies elsewhere.

It is being pinpointed as a major reason for the team's haphazard form that sees them 12 points adrift of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Will Koeman get the sack at Barcelona? Have your say here.

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