HOW SHOULD CITY BEAT CHELSEA?
Pep’s side played Chelsea under Tuchel on 3 occasions last szn and lost.
In light of their clash today, I had a look at the 2 key issues that City had in the CL Final and what might be done to mitigate them.
Pep’s side played Chelsea under Tuchel on 3 occasions last szn and lost.
In light of their clash today, I had a look at the 2 key issues that City had in the CL Final and what might be done to mitigate them.
BUILD UP ISSUES:
City built up in a 3-1 shape in the Cl final, with walker dropping to make a 3 and Gundogan as a single pivot.
Further forward, city had 3 options between the lines with zinchenko pushing up.
Kdb would hold the lines and could easily interchange with Foden.
City built up in a 3-1 shape in the Cl final, with walker dropping to make a 3 and Gundogan as a single pivot.
Further forward, city had 3 options between the lines with zinchenko pushing up.
Kdb would hold the lines and could easily interchange with Foden.
The issues was that chelsea’s 5-2-3 midblock with a narrow front 3 meant that Che blocked the pivot easily and forced City wide into the trap.
City struggled to find their btl options and build through the centre.
City’s set up also left CHE’s narrow 3 free to counter.
City struggled to find their btl options and build through the centre.
City’s set up also left CHE’s narrow 3 free to counter.
City’s best moments came when they built with a double pivot with either Bernardo dropping in or Zinchenko tucking in.
The second option deeper gave city compactness and also giving a second option in midfield
The second option deeper gave city compactness and also giving a second option in midfield
The other problem was that CITY played kdb up front, so they ended up with no outlet to exploit the gaps left by CHE’s pressing outside CB’s
Kdb didn’t stay on the last line well and didn’t spin into gaps allowing CHE to stay compact and trap CITY outwide.
Kdb didn’t stay on the last line well and didn’t spin into gaps allowing CHE to stay compact and trap CITY outwide.
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679231419707392?s=20
IN liverpools match vs Chelsea, they also struggled to build through CHE’s shape when only having a single pivot.
The second pivot option was how Liverpool were able to consistently play through the lines.
The second pivot option was how Liverpool were able to consistently play through the lines.
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679291515764736?s=20
a double pivot or two midfielders deeper is necessary as when Chelsea defend, the no.9 blocks the pivot players to force the opposition wide.
chelsea then collapse round the ball forcing turnovers before transitioning with the narrow 3 upfront.
chelsea then collapse round the ball forcing turnovers before transitioning with the narrow 3 upfront.
A double pivot/2 deeper midfielders makes it harder for CHE to force u wide as there is an overload with more than one central option
Thus u can shift Chelsea around and build through the Centre.
Thus u can shift Chelsea around and build through the Centre.
In spurs match vs Chelsea,
They also had 3 b/w the lines(BTL) options and a player stretching play, but there’s was more effective as 1 midfielder would drop to the side to help build up with the FB pushing up and one would central
They also had 3 b/w the lines(BTL) options and a player stretching play, but there’s was more effective as 1 midfielder would drop to the side to help build up with the FB pushing up and one would central
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679331026092036?s=20
The other pushed up BTL. This was effective as the fb pinned CHE’s wingbacks back making it tricky for CHE to close the wide midfielder down.
Spurs also had Son exploiting the spaces KDB didn’t, stretching play and spinning behind CHE’s aggressive outside CB’S.
Spurs also had Son exploiting the spaces KDB didn’t, stretching play and spinning behind CHE’s aggressive outside CB’S.
PRESSING ISSUES
CITY’s issues vs Chelsea weren’t limited to build up.
They also had pressing issues which ultimately lead to CHE scoring.
City pressed in a 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 shape. This left them underloaded vs CHE’s natural 3-2 build up.
They tried to mitigate this with Bernardo
CITY’s issues vs Chelsea weren’t limited to build up.
They also had pressing issues which ultimately lead to CHE scoring.
City pressed in a 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 shape. This left them underloaded vs CHE’s natural 3-2 build up.
They tried to mitigate this with Bernardo
pushing up to press Che’s pivot leaving them in a de facto 4-3-3.
issue was that Gundogan didn’t have a clear pressing role, just left to cover vast spaces alone due to which CHE could play long balls and win seconds easily or even switch the play (lead to the goal)
issue was that Gundogan didn’t have a clear pressing role, just left to cover vast spaces alone due to which CHE could play long balls and win seconds easily or even switch the play (lead to the goal)
ARSENAL faced similar issues vs Chelsea when they played them, with Pepe consistently 1v2 vs Kovacic and Rudiger.
If a pivot player pushed up, it left vast spaces btl for interiors to drop where Arsenal’s back line could not follow them.
If a pivot player pushed up, it left vast spaces btl for interiors to drop where Arsenal’s back line could not follow them.
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679367541723141?s=20
Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 midblock wasn’t much better as CHE were consistently able to slice through their shape and find Lukaku.
This was due to Havertz and Mount splitting CHE’s pivot easily.
This was due to Havertz and Mount splitting CHE’s pivot easily.
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679405756010498?s=20
If City go for this shape, they should play a 4-4-2 midblock as opposed to Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 as they can pressure the pivots and stop such passes at the source.
Liverpool and spurs press was far better, with each player having clear defined roles as opposed to city’s issue with Gundogan being spare.
The 4-3-3 press prevented overloads as the 8s could push up and force the ball wide and then drop, leaving 2
The 4-3-3 press prevented overloads as the 8s could push up and force the ball wide and then drop, leaving 2
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679440958746628?s=20
players btl ( city had only Gundogan).
This meant spurs and Liverpool had a strong press on the sides with multiple players to hover up long passes or pick up interiors.
The far side 8 picked up the dropping interiors controlling switches of play
This meant spurs and Liverpool had a strong press on the sides with multiple players to hover up long passes or pick up interiors.
The far side 8 picked up the dropping interiors controlling switches of play
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679476677505033?s=20
THE IMPORTANCE OF THROW-INS:
Over the years, Throw ins have been largely overlooked in football but when u play Chelsea, it is one of the most crucial aspects.
Chelsea have a clear overload in the centre of their build up which at best can be matched as seen in the 4-3-3 press.
Over the years, Throw ins have been largely overlooked in football but when u play Chelsea, it is one of the most crucial aspects.
Chelsea have a clear overload in the centre of their build up which at best can be matched as seen in the 4-3-3 press.
However, this can be mitigated by forcing CHE wide and pressing aggressively.
This approach has been used by each team playing CHE and often leads to throw ins.
Throw in offense/defense is crucial as that can allow turnovers and attacks versus a disorganised Chelsea defense.
This approach has been used by each team playing CHE and often leads to throw ins.
Throw in offense/defense is crucial as that can allow turnovers and attacks versus a disorganised Chelsea defense.
It can also allow teams to pin Chelsea in and sustain their attacks.
Liverpool did this perfectly, regularly turning the ball over due to which CHE rarely built through the lines and were limited to transitions, albeit where CHE are dangerous.
Liverpool did this perfectly, regularly turning the ball over due to which CHE rarely built through the lines and were limited to transitions, albeit where CHE are dangerous.
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679532465872897?s=20
Arsenal however, didn’t do this well at all, which consistently forced them back, undermining the press.
It also lead to the goal, showing exactly why good throw in defense and offense is essential.
It also lead to the goal, showing exactly why good throw in defense and offense is essential.
https://twitter.com/Vybhav_Videos/status/1441679571124822021?s=20
Man city’s match up today is essential for their title chances, considering that they already have dropped points vs Spurs and Southampton.
They really and truly need a win, and they must sort out their flawed build up and pressing structure to get the win.
They really and truly need a win, and they must sort out their flawed build up and pressing structure to get the win.
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Let me know your feedback!
@UddhavChauhan4 @amonizfootball @cdsahildani @ashwinballal_ @city_tactics @MaineRoadRamble @CarefreeTactics @Ankaman616 @ExpectedChelsea @rohanrtiwari @Tactical_Times @AIiRadhi
Let me know your feedback!
@UddhavChauhan4 @amonizfootball @cdsahildani @ashwinballal_ @city_tactics @MaineRoadRamble @CarefreeTactics @Ankaman616 @ExpectedChelsea @rohanrtiwari @Tactical_Times @AIiRadhi
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