#ENGDEN - π“πšπœπ­π’πœπšπ₯ π“π‘π«πžπšπ

Key points:

πŸ”΄Southgate releases the shackles in extra time, learns from 2018 (Foden, Grealish and Sterling to the right)
πŸ”΄Saka did not hold width - England too lopsided
πŸ”΄Kane in Spurs mode

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #DEN
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.
Kane began to drop deep to influence play and take over from the midfield which was struggling.

It was brilliant movement to get between Denmark's CDMs and find Saka who was constantly working the inside and good movement by Sterling to come in from the left.
Credit to Southgate for learning from 2018 and throwing the kitchen sink in extra time. TBH should and could have been done sooner, but at least he finally put Grealish and Foden at the same time which freed up Sterling to go 1 v 1 on the right.
This pinned Denmark back and with players like Sterling and Grealish on the outside of the box down the flanks, you have two wide players who can do it all from a creative perspective and difficult to stop 1 v 1.

This meant the low block of Denmark could always be stretched.
Grealish came off... I do not like the tactic of bringing on defenders to protect a lead but eventually England did get some composure and dominate possession towards the end of the game.

Foden went false 9 and stretched the Danish defence, excellent tactics by Gareth.
Hope you enjoyed that... we did call a butt-clenching victory for England in our preview. Massive kudos to Southgate and the lads... 55 years and our first final. I was 6 when Southgate missed that penalty in 1996 and this has certainly made up for it. Can't wait for the final!

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More from @pythaginboots

7 Jul
A study of Southgate’s in-game pressing strategies and variations.

#ENG chose their moments when to retreat and go for the jugular in their win against Germany.

Expect the same against #DEN - a team that generally likes to remain aggressive.

#ENGDEN #EURO2020

[THREAD]
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.
Read 8 tweets
6 Jul
#ITAESP - Tactical Thread

Key points:

- How Spain stopped Italy's build up play
- Italy forced to rely on transitions for attacks
- Olmo the False 9
- Morata's redemption arc is over

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ITA #ESP
Italy were able to grab an equalizer via a more direct route to goal.

In stark contrast to their style all tournament, #ITA were forced to sit back and defend, relying on counter-attacks for chances.

Insigne and Chiesa would target the space behind #ESP fullbacks.
The reason #ITA could not playout from the back was due to the aggressive press from #ESP .

The 3 forwards would press the 2 central defenders and Jorginho, while the ball sided CM (Pedri or Koke) would join the press.

This forced Italy to play direct during the build up phase.
Read 10 tweets
6 Jul
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. Image
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. Image
Read 8 tweets
3 Jul
#ENGUKR - π“πšπœπ­π’πœπšπ₯ π“π‘π«πžπšπ

Key points:

πŸ”΄If can't defend - do not just sit back and expect numbers to work in your favour
πŸ”΄England press reset button at half time and go for the jugular
πŸ”΄Gareth's faith in Kane - Justified!

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #UKR
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. Image
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.. Image
Read 7 tweets
3 Jul
#CZEDEN - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:

- 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

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #CZE #DEN Image
When #DEN get into the final third, their front three occupy the central defenders, while the wingbacks force the #CZE fullbacks to mark them.

The Danish forwards would drop from the forward lines into the middle third to drag their man markers out of position. Image
Damsgaard for #DEN in this example drops deeper, dragging Celustka with him.

This creates space for Dolberg to run into, while also pulling Kalas out of position.

Now that the back line is shifting, Braithwaite can attack space left behind defenders following their markers. Image
Read 7 tweets
2 Jul
#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.
Read 10 tweets

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