Thread by @martics97

⚫️⚪️ Team Analysis

Eddie Howe Pressing structure vs PSG

▫️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.

Bruno Guimaraes and Gordon were the ones who initiated pressing structures. When the winger pressed Hakimi, forcing a back-pass, and then Isak/ Almiron harassing defenders.

As I said, Enrique decided to implement a double pivot and draw out the press as much as possible. But Guimaraes/Longstaff man-marked Zaire-Emery/Ugarte perfectly, allowing Gordon to go alongside Isak, and Tonali pressing Hakimi on the right-hand side.

PSG wanted to build-up on flanks, given potential spaces behind. That's why it was fundamental to have a man-oriented press from Howe, with Tonali helping Gordon in the press, to maintain numerical balance in those sequences (here 6v6).

That's why Newcastle pressing worked in pairs yesterday: Bruno-Longstaff, Almiron-Isak, Tonali-Gordon to cover enough distance on the pitch. Each duo had its players to man-mark, and PSG couldn't progress, because numerical superiority was for Mapgies.

If Eddie Howe's pressing can be sustainable, it's also due to the support of fullbacks, when midfield decides to block PSG midfield (which means Longstaff/Tonali won't press). Trippier recovered some balls on the flank thanks to the press.

I said few days ago Ugarte will be the key player to man-mark for Newcastle. Eddie Howe understood it well and we frequently saw a 2v1 press, while Tonali pressed high on Hakimi, which was a clear success.

Enrique wanted to draw out the press to exploit spaces behind. It was a good idea, but the timing of Marquinhos or Skriniar in their passes was wrong: too late to decide, and Newcastle recovered the ball in dangerous zone, leading to the opening goal.

It took time, their was mistakes,
improvements, modifications: but tonight, we probably have seen the very best version of Newcastle pressing structure: first line of press worked in harmony with the second line, coordination seemed natural.

In the press, wingers did a good work to repeat aggressive runs. Gordon and Almiron had a key role because their runs were the pressing triggers. It indicated the tempo of the press.

Newcastle switched between agressive press and 4-5-1 shape when the ball was on the center. They only pressed Ugarte when he got the ball. It was intelligent because it prevented passes between the lines, forced PSG to pass wide, and allow Newcastle to start the press.

What also makes Eddie Howe's pressing successful is the tactical discipline the players have, which shows they strongly believe in that pressing. Involvement of the center backs has to be pointed out, such as Schär on the fourth goal.