As expected England sat back in the opening exchanges - feeling their way into the new shape and frustrating the Germans early doors (notorious for their fast starts and putting teams away).
Now out of the opening period, England begin to take control of the game. At this stage they had 66% possession and were winning the ball in midfield areas as well as at times inside the German half.
The wing back system of England begins to show its worth. Kimmich and Gosens are unable to make inroads as the likes of Shaw, Trippier and the midfield duo stamp their authority on the game and Germans can’t get out or perhaps too afraid of Saka and Sterling’s pace sit back.
The Germans start the first half on fire and Pickford and co have to keep their wits about them.
England soon turn the tide and go back on the front foot - seeking to win the ball in the middle, targeting Ginter and Goretzka (weaker ball players than Kroos and Rudiger)
All England now - going for the win in front of a baying home crowd. Southgate gets called negative but here he let’s off the shackles and goes for the win.. seizing the moment.
Goals secured, England then understandably drop back and protect the lead. No need to be gung ho but there are still some gilt edged chances conceded.
Massive thanks once again to @footyanalytica for the visuals, please drop him a follow and consider retweeting if you are a big fan of football tactics and pressing variations.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
🔴Southgate releases the shackles in extra time, learns from 2018 (Foden, Grealish and Sterling to the right)
🔴Saka did not hold width - England too lopsided
🔴Kane in Spurs mode
England made a blistering start, once again combining down the left. The mids went wide in order to progress the play and Shaw's wonderful one touch flicks and passes kept finding Sterling.
It soon got clocked on to and Denmark shifted across, flooding that area with bodies.
Saka was poor outside of the assist.
He was too narrow and did not run at Maehle and Vestgaard enough out wide. With Walker not overlapping, England's attack down that side was non existent.
Considering Italy's weakness is down the left - this needs sorting.
An intriguing feature of #EURO2020 is how teams adapt their pressing strategy depending on the game state.
Teams rarely stay as a low block or press like mad men all game.
Here is a look at #ITA defensive actions heat map in different stages of their QF v Belgium.
[THREAD]
In the first 15 minutes, the Italians keep it tight with the focus on keeping KDB quiet - the opposition dangerman.
There is a slight attempt now to win the ball higher up the pitch but most of the action takes place in their penalty area - suggests a lowish block and inviting pressure.
🔴If can't defend - do not just sit back and expect numbers to work in your favour
🔴England press reset button at half time and go for the jugular
🔴Gareth's faith in Kane - Justified!
Shevchenko turned what is a lightweight but proactive Ukrainian side into a low block 5-3-2 side. These players lacked the natural instincts and familiarity with the set up to make it work.
England had men who go inside and outside - Spain take notice of how to beat low block.
After the first goal, Walker did not get forward enough which did enable Ukraine to frustrate us in the first half as it allowed their defence to stay more compact.
Shame they failed to do this with the first goal..
- Denmark's off the ball movement crucial in the final third
- Czech Republic lack central passing options in the middle to final third
- How Denmark exploits Czech Republic's poor press
- Verratti useless until Mancini's tactical change
- Belgium's pressing structure starts off strong but falls short
- Belgium thrived in transitions but nowhere else
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.