๐ดVVD showed Lukaku's true level
๐ดLiverpool need Origi against low block
๐ดJames = handball but not a red
๐ดHavertz and Mount dangerous first half
๐ดLiverpool fall asleep from corner
Havertz has always been a major set piece threat from his Leverkusen days, so why he's being marked by Henderson and not a VVD is poor man marking strategy by Liverpool.
He should be the main focus from a corner, not Lukaku.
Havertz and Mount were excellent in the first half and supported Lukaku with interchanging runs, runs in behind and Fabinho struggled to get to grips.
James and Alonso holding the width, allowed Chelsea's CAMs the freedom to wreak havoc centrally and in the half spaces.
James' sending off changed the game. Was it a penalty and a red?
IMO definitely a pen as it denied a goalscoring opportunity but a red for me should be reserved for a deliberate hand ball and this seemed like a harsh double punishment as hit his stomach first before going hand.
Liverpool struggled against the low block as predicted. Look at Jota and how he is surrounded by mountain who have high defensive IQ.
Zero box presence for Liverpool and thus crosses are redundant and Mane/Salah kept running into traffic. Poor tactics by Klopp IMO.
This is another image which reinforces the fact that the full backs were unable to get into these dangerous areas for crossing but even if they did manage to.. any cut backs or crosses were not going to find anyone or cause damage.
For me, bringing on Thiago earlier and Origi alongside a Jota or a Firmino would give Liverpool the chance to put two men into the box for the crosses and a physical presence who draws the attention of Chelsea's centre backs.
Suddenly they have to compete in the air...
As for Chelsea, even withstanding the sending off - this is the type of game where Lukaku proved he is not elite.
Van Dijk played in his slippers and was untested. Lukaku did not have the weapons and just got pocketed.
In big games, he will not be their main goal threat.
3/3 predictions correct in a row. If I was a betting man, I would make sure to follow @pythaginboots ๐but seriously thank you for the ongoing support and listen out for our podcast on Monday.
๐ดShaw & Sancho = Aerial Service ๐คค
๐ดDo not play him as a winger!
๐ดIncompatible with Pogba? 4-1-4-1...
๐ดCan he work with Greenwood?
๐ดCan't create/press
Ronaldo is a GOAT aerial threat, arguably just behind your Pele's.
Sancho rarely stays out wide these days but there is no denying the fact that his crossing is elite and Shaw seems to have recaptured the art of crossing.
Rashford and Bruno could also cross from half spaces.
Ronaldo in transition is usually a threat, but he is older, Rashford is injured and Sancho is a killer passer in transition rather than a space eater. English defences aren't going to yield as much space as in the Bundesliga.
๐ดSouthgate bottled it after taking lead. No lessons learned from Croatia.
๐ดTime taken to unleash subs was criminal, Mancini was proactive.
๐ดSubbing Immobile changed the game
England fired out of the blocks. Italy did not expect English wing back to push up high from both flanks, let alone Kyle Walker making a surprise foray forward to outnumber Italy on the blindside.
Italy shifted across in haste, this time leaving space on the other flank.
England then began to play on the counter which was fine, as Chiesa was the only real threat. What a threat he was though, I have rarely seen Luke Shaw troubled as he was.
Chiesa's 1 v 1 ability is truly special, very direct and reminds me of Andrei Kanchelskis.
๐ดSouthgate releases the shackles in extra time, learns from 2018 (Foden, Grealish and Sterling to the right)
๐ดSaka did not hold width - England too lopsided
๐ดKane 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.
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.
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.