Thread by @BeGriffis

The unique role of the goalkeeper in Christian Titz's Magdeburg tactics ✍️

Titz uses his GK, Dominik Reimann, in a revolutionary way… almost as a CB in buildup

This 🧵 will show the key elements, benefits, and risks of Titz's tactic

#EINMALIMMER #Bundesliga

Before I get started, just want to say this won't be a complete breakdown of Magdeburg's buildup. Just a ton of examples showing the positions the GK takes up, the types of passes he's instructed, the patterns with those passes, and more.

First off, here's Reimann getting into position. It's awesome watching him move… Check out how he moves up from his box.

Ederson needs see this and show Pep btw

Reimann is truly just a part of Magdeburg's buildup.

He splits the CBs, playing passes between them & CMs. Often it's more than 1 pass, as we see here he's playing multiple passes & staying between the CBs as a central outlet for recycling the ball

Reimann's central position not only allows both midfielders to remain up the pitch, but also allows the CBs to push wide. This is a key theme for Titz: overloading the flank with a CB, FB, CM, & winger while keeping a deep central presence for recycling

Every once in a while, as we see in this clip, Magdeburg will even push one CB up into the midfield, building up with just Reimann and 1 CB.

Truly fascinating, & can help Titz's side create numerical advantages in different areas of the pitch

However, while being high can be risky, Reimann is typically smart about recognizing when to either sit deeper or head back

Here, we see him playing a pass & then retreating, recognizing the 3 high Eintracht players' possible danger if they win the ball

Another key aspect is dwelling on the ball, which has several functions: to slow down play, look for the best pass, or invite an opponent to press & opening up space for a teammate

Here he dwells on the ball twice.

The first time he's looking for his CM (#29) to get open for a vertical ball (more on that next).

The second time he invites the opponent to press before passing wide, which can open a central angle later

Now on to the vertical passes.

A central component to Titz's tactic is to have Reimann play vertical balls to a CM. The CM then either spreads it wide to start a swift attack or turns to run at the defense.

Reimann always looks for these passes

Despite playing plenty of lateral balls, even in many of these clips you can see him looking at the center circle to see if one of his midfielders is making a move to get open

Here's another example of a vertical pass. We can see the aim of this one too… Reimann to the CM who spreads it quickly to the flank, starting an attack.

Reimann's confidence with these tight-angle, first-time passes is a key facet of the tactic

Of course, this instruction can also lead to risky passes.

In this case, Reimann is lucky the opposing player can't control their interception.

Mistakes/incomplete passes like these never deter Titz or Reimann from trying them a few minutes later though

Reimann's passes like these can, however, start dangerous attacks like we see in this clip.

Even when he's not high up the pitch, Titz instructs Reimann to play some relatively risky (for a GK) vertical passes to start attacks

In this example, Reimann's playing a low-% pass out wide in an effort to use the FB to shift the ball up the pitch.

Magdeburg almost pull this off, but are called for an offside. The danger is there.

Another key element to Titz's tactic is allowing Reimann to try dangerous long balls, even if they give away possession

These are typically used as a last resort or if one of the attackers makes a run. But Reimann is pretty good at noticing those runs

Again, as I said earlier, he's always looking for a vertical pass to a CM... but if he sees an attacker darting behind the defenders, he'll often try to get the ball to them.

Even if it's incomplete, a second ball can cause chaos.

Reimann will normally try several long balls per match. Completion % may vary match to match, sometimes completing 4-5 in a game, sometimes none...

But it helps keep the opponent on their toes. Reimann has different passes in his arsenal to use anytime

Here’s an ex from the loss to Eintracht. See how Reimann is already looking for a runner when he receives the ball. Attacker notices this too & starts running behind SGE's defenders. Reimann completes the pass but perhaps it's too close to the touchline

While in many of these exs. Reimann is relatively high up the pitch, he's able to recognize when he should be deeper.

I showed earlier how he retreats at times, but in this example he recognizes the high line of the opposition attackers & remains deep

However, there are still times when he invites risk while being deep.

Check out his movement here… He vacates the goal, draws an attacker with him, & calls for the ball to be spread wide to the far CB to exploit that striker's vacated space

Also notice in the previous clip, near the end, how Reimann sprints back to the goal when he recognizes the possible danger of his teammate being pushed back.

Reimann obviously enjoys off-ball movement, but he's typically not too reckless with it & we don't see it in EVERY match

But of course, it's impossible to totally avoid risk when your GK is a CB in buildup 😅

Here, 1860 counter when Reimann is splitting the CBs. He's backpedaling but in a poor position when the LW is at the edge of box. A well-placed shot could've beat him

Here's a different example of the risk Reimann's position can create.

Eintracht win the ball back, Kamada recognizes Reimann retreating (out of picture) and takes a shot. A better connection on the shot might have caught Reimann out

Here's a final clip for the thread. A sort of culmination of most things I've discussed…

Reimann's high up the pitch, next to just 1 CB, dwelling on the ball, and plays a long, dangerous ball which assists a shot.

Jogo Bonito - Schönes Spiel - #Titzball

Overall, Christian Titz's use of his GK in buildup at Magdeburg is fascinating, unique, and typically very effective. It can help create a numerical advantage in the middle of the pitch or the flanks and allows Magdeburg to build up with an extra player

While there is inherent risk with this tactic, Magdeburg's benefits outweigh the risks. They won 3. Liga last season with the most goals scored & 3rd-least conceded. They use this tactic against every team, as we've seen in the 2. Bundesliga & against Eintracht in the Pokal

I hope you enjoyed this thread! RTs are very welcome, Titzball is so much fun 😄

Titz's tactics are very unique, and Magdeburg are a really exciting team with lots of potential for danger. Watch out for them this season in the 2. Bundesliga!