Thread by @pythaginboots

#BELITA - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:

- Verratti useless until Mancini's tactical change
- Belgium's pressing structure starts off strong but falls short
- Belgium thrived in transitions but nowhere else

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #BEL #ITA

Belgium would press in a sort of 3-4-1-2/3-5-2. This was done so that Italy could not play through the middle.

The emphasis was on shielding Jorginho or Verratti while having the front three still able to press the Italian "back three"

We've seen the Italian build up structure all tournament. The issue with Belgium's press is that KdB cannot be expected to shield Verratti & Jorginho, while tasked with pressing Bonucci.

KdB was overworked when pressing, leading to a failed press.

In the final third, #BEL would shift into a structure that resembled a 3-2-5. The wingbacks isolate the #ITA fullbacks, Doku, Lukaku & KdB all central drawing a man-marker or overworking another.

The catch? Belgium only attacked in transitions. They struggled to keep possession.

I (@CamH___ ) have been harsh on Verratti for Locatelli's exclusion. I don't think Verratti can do what Locatelli can do when going forward. They play different roles.

Lack of a competent player in the left half-space led to poor ball circulation from #ITA

Italy's attacking structure is so dependent on ball circulation in the wide areas so that they can drag defenders out of position and create space to attack. Verratti, until this game, did not aid in that for club or country.

Mancini saw this problem. So, he instructed Verratti to play in a more advanced role in the left half-space.

This changed everything for #ITA . #BEL must man mark the Italian attackers, while Tieleman's is overworked from shielding Insigne & pressing Jorginho.

I was wrong in my preview to think that Verratti couldn't play in the same role as Locatelli.

While Verratti is adequate, I don't suspect he will playing in the attacking role we saw him play in this evening in the long term, perhaps just for the remainder of the tournament.

Italy are through to the semi-finals against Spain and deservedly so.

With the now likely absence of Spinazzola, Italy are without one of their best players against Spain and will likely need to rely on Emerson.

My outside of the box solution? Bastoni. More on that later.

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