⚪️ Tactical FOCUS : Real Madrid's defensive animation against Liverpool in #UCL final ⤵️⤵️
▫️THREAD▫️
Madrid's defensive process began in Liverpool's def third. Modric as #10, he had the difficult mission to position between Liverpool's double pivot to prevent any quick passes between them.
Globally in a 4-2-3-1 shape in mid third, Madrid knew Liverpool would insist on TAA excellent long balls. Militao and Alaba consequently implemented a funnel to trap Mane's runs in behind.
We will analyze it later, but Madrid's risky defensive asset was to constantly densify lanes, even if central defenders had to step aside and let dangerous spaces for Liverpool forwards, such as here. The first objective was to control activity on lanes.
Liverpool hide its tactical approach, by implementing a double pivot with close distances, allowing Henderson to jump on the right lane and offer more run options for Salah and TAA.
To counter this strategy, Modric had to jump out automatically on Thiago, to prevent long balls.
Alexander-Arnold, in that position, is particularly dangerous. He can cross, find a diagonal pass in penalty box. Casemiro understood it and in each situation like that, dropped here to avoid that dangerous passing angle for TAA..
Casemiro also adapted his positioning due to Henderson's activity on the right lane. He manmarked him during the whole first half with discipline. I think TAA or Salah could have taken advantage of this space creation, because Madrid's low defense could not compensate that space.
This is the perfect example of why constantly jumping out on Liverpool's double pivot. Luis Diaz sticking on the left lane, constrains Carvajal to manmark himi, creating a huge space. If they gets enough time to launch him, it could lead to a dangerous chance.
In the perspective to block TAA passing angles, Madrid formed a solid diamond structure, with Vincius dropping off to help Madrid's midfield. It worked, but not enough to contain excellent performance from TAA, who really impressed me.
Ancelotti's first principle in defense is always to keep the structure, no matter the move a player has to do. Here, in order to prepare Liverpool offensive, Valverde replaces Carvajal because he moved as central defender to form that 5 atb defense.
Casemiro also replaced Carvajal's positioning, when he had to jump out on Diaz or Robertson. Therefore, even if players had to quit their initial position, other teammates have to compensate to keep the defensive lane, which is a central and sound 4atb defense.
Other example here, Militao compensated Carvajal's offensive participation, Casemiro consequently took the central defender role. The mission was clear : not letting Diaz enough space to take a shot. By constantly manmarking him, he was forced to splay on the left lane...
... with no option but doing a back pass. Madrid implemented two strategies to control lanes : manmarking ball carrier, and densify the lane to constantly end up in numerical superiority.
With two or three players preventing passing options to find halfspaces, ball carrier (here Thiago) could only retreat, and constrain Liverpool to try to overthrow Madrid's defensive animation in another way.
Modric's tactical discipline has been key for Real Madrid, because he positioned between Liverpool's double pivot, preventing any activity between them.
And when Modric jumps out, Thiago preferred long balls in direction of Henderson or Diaz.
When Mané dropped off as #10 to start vertical passes and short combinations with Salah (well-known passing drills from this duo), Alaba constrained Salah to back pass to Henderson, Mendy preparing to face him in 1V1.
In second half, Madrid's defensive and midfield lines were more and more close, with few spaces between the lines to negotiate. Vinicius did some individual errors that could have lead to dangerous situations, given TAA's positioning. However, superiority on lanes has been clear.
After the opening goal, Ancelotti modified its tactical approach by demanding Modric to stop his pressures on Thiago/Fabinho, and Kroos to evoluate on the same line as Modric, Casemiro being the only defensive midfielder.
Casemiro consequently had to follow each move from Liverpool's wingers (Mané (who inverted his position with Salah) and Jota). He has done it brilliantly during the whole second half. Great defensive performance from the brazilian midfielder.
Liverpool attempted many offensive combinations, varied positions to dismantle Madrid's defensive organization, but tactical discipline and Ancelotti's strategy have taken the advantage over Klopp, even if Liverpool did a fantastic game.
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Chelsea's game against Sheffield showed the key points Pochettino has targeted to improve concerning final third efficiency. More fluidity, and better space creation to draw out defenders and then penetrate penalty box.
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It's easier to break defensive lines in final third when players shorten distances between them. I have seen many times Caicedo, Badiashile, Palmer being ready to combine with short passes and force Sheffield defense to make a decision : foul, leave space..
A thing I wanted to see more : Badiashile has excellent ball-carrying abilities. Seeing him breaking lines with his runs frequently is definitely something Pochettino has to emphasize on training sessions. Even if Sheffield had a solid defense yesterday, that was efficient.
Aston Villa impressed against Manchester City, in every aspect of the game. In possession, the ability to draw out the opposition into their own defensive third, to create space behind, is really efficient, relying on Pau Torres excellent pass quality.
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Once the press is bypassed, Aston Villa don’t do much passes : direct way of play with lots of runs in behind with Watkins and Bailey, Man City has been frequently caught behind the defense.
In midfield, while some teams have a double pivot with one player as #6 and another as #8, Emery strongly insists to have both Kamara and Douglas Luiz with short distance to combine quickly, and keep this pass channel alive no matter the cost.
Chelsea has improved in first phase of build-up, and we have seen it against Arsenal. Enzo Fernandez anticipated well Arsenal’s high pressing and moved cleverly to cover the tracks against man-oriented press.
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Chelsea utilizes more wide positions to progress in build-up. It eased out Enzo’s moves. Given Rice frequently anticipated the pass to Caicedo, Cucurella and Gusto had interesting diagonal passes to make behind Arsenal’s pressing.
Chelsea also improves its build-up because of wingers drop-offs. Here Mudryk dropped to ease out the build-up, especially when the opponent pin the defense back.
▫️How did he manage to man-mark Enrique’s double pivot to annihilate PSG’s build-up plan ?
BIG THREAD 🧵⤵️
We all know Newcastle tends to implement an aggressive and high pressing structure. The question we all asked was if Howe will repeat the same plan against PSG ? 18 seconds needed : individual press, Isak pressing CBs and Bruno man-marking Ugarte
Newcastle only started to press when ball carrier did a wide pass to the fullback. In that case, they switch into a 4-5-1 covering vertical passes and man-marking Ugarte.
🔵 How did Mitoma change Brighton’s offensive strategy against Bournemouth, showing how important the winger is for Roberto de Zerbi ?
THREAD ⤵️🧵
As soon as second half started, Brighton implemented those kick-offs pressing, and recovered the ball high. Mitoma, a winger who usually sticks the touchline, tends to cut inside and have intelligent positioning in penalty box, this little move on the equalizer illustrates well.
Mitoma offers more fluidity on the left flank, thanks to the automatisms created with Estupinian. This triangle with Ansu Fati created some troubles in Bournemouth defensive plan. Mitoma can drop-off and take depth quickly, making his individual marking difficult.
▫️Arsenal’s high and suffocating pressing structure
▫️Tottenham’s braveness and courage in first phase of build-up
BIG THREAD 🧵⤵️
Arteta studied well Postecoglou’s first phase of build-up , and decided to implement (as many home games) an aggressive and high pressing, Odegaard as the conductor (we will go through that point later. Spurs CB took wide positions to create more space in the center for Bissouma
Bissouma, thanks to his excellent press resistance, is the key player in first build-up phase. Vieira automatically jumped to him as soon as he got the ball. Maddison dropped off to have more Spurs players in those important moments in build-up.