Share this page!

Talking Tactics Profile picture
Twitter logo
Jan 15 • 3 tweets • 1 min read
Man City often beat Man Utd’s press (ball far winger pushing onto CB), ending up in these positions. Their play didn’t seem as fluid in the final third (the pitch looked horrible..).

And - as City were often a traditional 4-3-3 - Rodri & the CBs were isolated on transition.
I don’t hate Man Utd btw (🙄). I thought this was the tactical trend of the match early on. City often beat the press and on another day might have created more chances.

United did defend those situations (where the front 4 were bypassed) well, but…
Rashford inside also played a part in City’s opening goal (Fred out to cover & gaps in the middle)

I try not to analyse based on the scoreline ✌🏼

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with Talking Tactics

Talking Tactics Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @TalkinTactics

Talking Tactics Profile picture
Jan 16
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. ImageImage
Read 24 tweets
Talking Tactics Profile picture
Jan 16
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. Image
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..

The ball is passed backwards. Image
Read 7 tweets
Talking Tactics Profile picture
Jan 15
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…
Read 20 tweets
Talking Tactics Profile picture
Dec 19, 2022
Let’s take a look at Lionel Scaloni’s tactical plan heading into the World Cup final against France.

Argentina’s defensive shape was interesting, especially the selection of Angel De Maria on the left hand side.

Argentina were often a 4-3-3 when defending.
Di Maria stayed high & pressed Kounde. This left him in dangerous positions on transition.

Alvarez covered Tchouameni & Varane.

Mac Allister tracked Griezmann with Tagliafico pressing forwards onto Dembele.

De Paul covered Hernandez & the space around Mbappe.

Messi was free
When the ball was on France’s Left Hand Side, Molina stayed close to Mbappe with De Paul tracking Hernandez all the way back into the defensive line.

At times Argentina looked like a back 5 with Molina infield & De Paul in a hybrid wing back role (but also in midfield).
Read 12 tweets
Talking Tactics Profile picture
Dec 18, 2022
Magic (noun)

‘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.

Gracias 🐐
Read 4 tweets
Talking Tactics Profile picture
Nov 28, 2022
I have really enjoyed watching #Esp during the #FIFAWorldCup Their spacing - during build ups - is fantastic as are their movement patterns. The players seem to be connected via string, all moving in unison.

I will try & highlight different moves they use to create space.
1) 1v1 isolation for Wide Player

Spain generally build down their LHS. If Laporte is under pressure Pedri will drop down. He can receive & play under pressure or create space for others..

Here he drops short but the ball goes to Alba. This means the LB has one less FWD option.
To help out, Asensio can:

• Drop to link the play
• Hold his position & show to feet
• Run in behind

He chooses to run in behind.

As he does this, Olmo drops to show to feet & Alba plays him the pass to the LW.

Pedri supports from deep.
Read 22 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Send Email!

:(