Aspect Analysis: Argentina’s flexible attacking dynamics vs. Poland #POLARG [THREAD]
The Argentinians formed somewhat of a 3-2-5/3-1-6 structure in possession, which was highly interchangeable.
A key mechanism for Argentina’s progression and chance creation was the vertical rotation between Messi and De Paul. Messi regularly moved deeper, with De Paul advancing to fill the right half-space. This either allowed Messi to create from deep or De Paul to receive higher up.
From this deeper position, Messi continuously made diagonal switches to the left side to find the overlapping Acuna creating a 2v1 situation and getting in behind with a dynamical advantage. Moreover, pinning Poland’s right fullback was key to open the left wing for Acuna.
MacAllister was another important asset in Argentina’s offensive play. Constantly positioning himself in a pocket in between the lines either allowing himself to receive or creating space for someone else by pinning Poland’s defenders.
Furthermore, Argentina’s right side could regularly rotate with De Paul moving deeper and Molina advancing. This interchange presented a dilemma for Poland and continuously created an overload out wide.
Additionally, Alvarez’s off-the-ball movements were vital as well. The Argentinian looked to exploit spaces in behind on the blind-side, make double movements to create space for himself or pin players through decoy movements.
Argentina’s first goal was a prime example, where they used some of their key attacking patterns: progressing through the overload on the right side, Alvarez opening the cutback and MacAllister netting in after a clever movement.
With the introduction of Paredes, Argentina slightly changed their shape to a 2-3-5, creating a more stable rest-defence and improving the ability to counterpress directly after losing the ball.
Conclusion:
Argentina dominated Poland with their amazing attacking play and had their best game of the tournament so far. If they can keep this level or even improve, there’s no limit for this team.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Team Analysis: Spain’s positional play under Luis Enrique at the #FIFAWorldCup [THREAD]
The Spaniards lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation in possession against Costa Rica with deep FBs, high 8s and wingers hugging the touchline. Occupying all 5 vertical lanes.
Spain circulates the ball slowly and looks for a free man in the build-up to advance higher up, making use of this unmarked player and arriving with optimal conditions in the final third.
3rd man combinations are key for Spain to both find a free man as well as switch the point of attack and get out of pressure.
Match Analysis: How Japan beat Germany #GERJPN [THREAD]
The Germans lined-up in a 3-2-5 structure in possession, using asymmetric fullbacks (Süle deeper and Raum higher). Musiala and Müller occupied the half-spaces. Japan defended in a 4-4-2 mid-block.
The strikers of Japan looked to restrict passes into Germany’s double pivot by using their cover-shadows. Japan’s 6s stayed in between Germany’s 10s and 6s, allowing them to press the double pivot when a striker pressed a centre back or mark a 10 in deeper zones.
When Japan’s 6s didn’t mark the 10s, they used a different approach to defend the wings on either side. On the right, Nagatomo pressed Gnabry, while Yosibah (left CB) shifted across to mark Müller. On the left, Ito tracked back to cover Raum, while Sakai marked Musiala.
Aspect Analysis: How Brighton applied the 3rd/4th man principle vs Chelsea #BHACHE
The 3rd and 4th man principle can be highly beneficial for every team. De Zerbi’s side utilized it for various purposes, which allowed them to beat Chelsea.
[THREAD]
Many teams use third man combinations in the build-up to find a free man. And so did Brighton. They often found the free centre back through a player from the double pivot, enabling them to progress higher up more easily.
Moreover, players from the front line could drop in between the lines and then lay the ball off, allowing Brighton to create promising situations.
Match Analysis: Leeds vs. Arsenal #LEEARS
[THREAD]
The main aim by Leeds’ press was to force Arsenal wide, create an overload against the winger and eventually win the ball back to create a chance after a transition.
This approach worked quite well at times. Especially on Arsenal’s left side, Leeds was regularly able to create a 3v1 situation against Martinelli and won the ball back there, by applying aggressive pressure.
However, Arsenal found a few ways to bypass this overload. For example, through clever positioning, individual quality and quick combinations. The goal was then always to switch the ball to the underloaded side and attack potential 1v1s/2v1s.
Match Analysis: Graham Potter’s Chelsea debut vs. Salzburg #CHESAL
Potter set his team up in a 3-diamond-3 formation in-possession, a shape we could observe often at Brighton as well.
Especially in the 1st half, Chelsea was regularly able to progress down the right against Salzburg’s asymmetric 4-diamond-2 press. When Kjaergaard (left 8) moved out, Mount was often free, if Salzbrug didn't adjust. When the pass was played wide, Chelsea had a 2v1 overload wide.
At times, Sucic would leave Jorginho to press Mount, but this obviously allowed Chelsea to easily progress through Jorginho and break the press.
Perfect example by ManCity on strategically using backwards passes to attract pressure, unsettling the opponent and switches through short passes.
Switches through short passes have the advantage that the in-possession side can adapt faster to open gaps compared to switches through long balls. Additionally, switches through short passes are faster and the opponent has to react to the change of the ball's position more often
For example at a long diagonal ball, the opponent only has to shift across and usually has enough time to adapt.