Thread by @Mtjtz_

⚪️ 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.