Jeremy Mathieu Helps Solve Barcelona Defence Issues for Luis Enrique

It seems Luis Enrique has helped Barcelona solve their defensive crisis, and one of the key reasons for that is Jeremy Mathieu.

Barcelona fought to buy him this summer, eventually bowing down to Valencia's demands and shelling out a surprisingly large €20 million on the Frenchman.

It was an awful lot for a player who is close to turning 31 and especially for a centre-back who, until recently, was actually a left-back.

His transformation at Valencia was impressive, sure, but there was no way of knowing if he'd be ready for the pressures of playing there for Barcelona.

However, since he has arrived, the centre-back has looked comfortable playing in Enrique's defence.

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The club has played three league games, and Mathieu started all of them. Barcelona won them all without conceding a goal.

In that time he has been partnered with Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique and also Marc Bartra, but no matter his companion, Mathieu has been solid.

After the win last weekend against the dangerous Athletic Bilbao, Mathieu told AS (h/t Matt Law on Sports Mole):

"

The important thing is that in the three games we've played we didn't concede a goal.

The reception from the team has been amazing and made me feel very comfortable. It's complicated to prepare for a game when the players have been with the national teams.

We knew we had to be patient to overcome Athletic, a very strong team. We lacked a bit of pace. If we continue like this we can be up there. The defenders talk a lot to avoid mistakes and our attack is tremendous.

"

While Mathieu has proved some of his doubters wrong, he still hasn't had too much to do in these games.

When Barcelona travel to sides like Real Sociedad, Sevilla and, of course, Real Madrid, then we will see how strong Mathieu really is. But so far, so good.

There are other factors in why the defence is holding out so much better than before.

The club also kept a clean sheet against Apoel Nicosia in the week, without Mathieu playing.

Enrique has brought organisation and discipline to a squad that lacked it last season under Tata Martino, and that is manifesting itself in better organisation and discipline on the pitch.

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Everybody seems sure of their role, with Jordi Alba and either Martin Montoya or Dani Alves piling forward from the defence as usual, but to greater effect.

The striking trio seem to be tucked-in, giving the rampaging full-backs more space to roam.

Sergio Busquets is comfortable dropping back deeper than his usual midfield spot if needed, when teams counter against Barcelona.

With the work-rate of Ivan Rakitic in midfield, Barcelona can often win back possession fairly quickly if they lose it, and they haven't been forced to suffer too many rapid counter-attacks.

When they have, they've snuffed them out with ease, whereas last season Barca would be regularly made to pay by teams on the break.

Barcelona have improved defensively this season, that is for certain, but let's reserve full judgement until after a tough away match against an attacking side.