Aston Villa drop into this shape when the opposition has controlled possession around Villa’s defensive third.
The reasons for this?
Teams generally create chances by going around (cross), over or through (runners in behind)….
When defending CROSSES, Villa can be aggressive in their pressure (to stop the cross) as they can be confident in having numbers back to defend their box.
The 6-2-2 can result in as many as 7 defenders inside the Pen Area.
Minimal space for the oppo. (Too many bodies = chaos?)
Playing through?
Villa drop deep so there is little room - in behind - & the Midfield/Front 2 try to ensure there is limited space in front of the back 6.
When applied correctly it can be very difficult to break down. There is room in the half space but few gaps to play into.
Teams now often attack by attacking the space between CB & Full Back. When playing against a back 6 this space doesn’t really exist…and the CBs can stay central, defending the box.
There isn’t much room to run into or the play the pass..
The shape also allows Villa’s defenders to be aggressive when the ball is played into attackers feet. They can release from their defensive line knowing that it won’t create too much of a gap (in theory).
Mings presses.
Villa’s 2 CFs should also offer a threat on transition.
This front foot defending can also be a negative & it is my main concern with the back 6. The defenders often press forwards but the full backs/wide players drop deep & the back line can become fragmented. This means it is possible for the oppo to play through/over..
Although it is still difficult.
As a full back, Ashley Young generally checks his inside for the offside line. He now has to check over both shoulders (which takes more time…) so he lacks confidence in the line…
You can see Buendia helping to play Kane onside in picture 2
And that is my other concern with the shape. Creative players can end up as the deepest defender. And making tackles/decisions inside their penalty area. This can easily lead to penalties, poor marking/positioning.
And it leaves them with a long run on attacking transitions.
The 6-2-2 can force the oppo wide, as it blocks off the centre. The opposition may then attempt to cross the ball, playing into the defending teams hands (5-7 players inside the box).
The back 6 can make it difficult to play through balls as there is little space to run/pass.
It is a very defensive/cautious formation. One I can see Villa using away from home and/or against the Top 6 sides.
I think it is one of those shapes. When it works it is fantastic. When it doesn’t there will be questions asked (why so defensive) as it does encourage pressure…
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Following on from this thread on how I analyse a team's build up, here are a couple of examples of assessing a team's out of possession shape/intentions.
I will use examples from the Manchester & North London Derbies.
Pre match preparation will probably lead to the below.
Manchester City are likely to field a 4-3-3 (although we do not know what build up shape they will adopt) and Manchester United will play a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3.
I will be analysing Manchester United's defence approach.
A quick look at the lineups should help highlight questions that need answering during the match.
Man Utd will have a spare defender (4v3), be man for man in Midfield but be outnumbered when City have possession at the back (3v4).
I get lots of DMs/messages asking how to analyse a match so I am going to attempt to explain my process in the thread below. I’ll be typing it as I go so bare with me…
I have chosen Wolves vs West Ham as the match. I haven’t seen any of it yet so it will all be ‘new’ to me.
Prep:
Ideally I would have an idea of what formations the teams are going to play prior to kick off. A rough idea can be taken from livescore websites like FotMob.
This preparation can save 2/3 minutes of ‘figuring it out’ during the match (when you might miss something..)
In their last 2 league games Wolves have played the following teams/formations (according to FotMob).
4-2-3-1 against Aston Villa & 4-3-3 against Manchester Utd.
So the formation is likely to be a back 4 & a lone striker. A quick look at the Midfield should tell us the rest.
Xavi appears to have found a nice balance to his Barcelona side.
Araujo/Kounde provide a secure defensive base behind Dembele (who performs better on the right).
FDJ supports Busquets both defensively & w/ ball progression.
Pedri/Gavi overload in midfield.
Balde advances
With Valverde dropping to RWB, Barcelona were able to exploit the space around Modric. They often overloaded the LHS before creating opportunities on the edge of the box/switches out to Dembele.
Also, a secure rest defence with Araujo in a deeper position.
Barcelona’s second goal was a nice example of the overall game tactics.
Valverde is wide (pressing Balde).
Gavi & FDJ are playing close together. Gavi is in a position that makes it difficult for Carvajal to pick him up..
It has been very easy to mock Chelsea’s new owners as they have made some very bold decisions since taking over the club.
They have been extremely active in the transfer market and whilst their intentions have been good their actions have been slightly more questionable…
They appear to be moving in a rush, desperate to solve their problems as quickly as possibly - mainly by signing expensive players (to long contracts).
I think they have been reactive to the problems they have encountered.
They arrived to a squad that had been poorly managed.
Players contracts were running down (Rudiger/Christensen/Azpi etc) and the club were losing players for cheap (Livramento/Lamptey as examples).
To overcome this problem (and to help with FFP) the new owners are handing 7-8 year deals out to their new recruits…
‘the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces’.
Messi is a magician. In a physically demanding sport he has proved that mastering the ball is the best trick of all. Combine this w/ a burning desire to win & it is unstoppable
Throughout the tournament he has provided us with further evidence of his genius. The pass against Holland, the dribble against Croatia, the coolness with which he converted his penalties.
His ability to view the game - pitch level - as if he was hovering above the stadium.
I’m sure Netflix/the Argentinian FA have captured the behind the scenes footage & will turn it into a documentary. I already look forward to watching that.
Football should be unpredictable & fun. Messi ensures it is both.