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Football Analysis from a different 📐 on salient tactical elements relating to the beautiful game | YouTube ● Podcast ● Article ● Thread | Former @WBA coach |
Luke Whittaker Profile picture La Setta degli Sportivi Intelligenti Profile picture 2 added to My Authors
Feb 14 17 tweets 5 min read
Dortmund v Chelsea - Preview [Thread]

➡️ Do not Cuc-kold Mudryk, get Chilly in.
➡️ Moukoko loss is a huge blow as with no Badiashile, Silva could have been vulnerable
➡️ Does Potter go with a back 5?
➡️ Who should partner Enzo?

CC: @Effmatch @KlipDraw

#BVB #ChelseaFC #UCL Not a huge fan of Cucurella... he looks pretty in the left midfield section but fails to make an impact in two key areas, zone 3 and 11... can't defend and lacks end product (for now).

Chilwell is sorely missed and as this is Chelsea's only shot of silverware, he has to start.
Feb 13 19 tweets 6 min read
Bayern v PSG - Preview [Thread]

➡️ No Mbappe robs PSG of 'vertical' penetration
➡️ Full Back Battle - Stalemate?🤤
➡️ Bayern lack CF to trouble Ramos/Marquinhos?
➡️ Can Kimi/Goretzka protect half spaces where Messi and Neymar operate?

CC: @Effmatch @KlipDraw

#PSG #Bayern #UCL It is tough to call the lineups in this first leg, with both managers renowned for their constant tinkering in shape and selection... not to mention injuries to players like Mbappe and Muller, both of whom may or may not start on Tuesday.
Jan 22 15 tweets 5 min read
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟐-𝟏 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 [𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝]

➡️ Arteta-Ball dominates
➡️ Do Arsenal's right backs have a purpose?
➡️ Bobby Nketiah
➡️ Rashford aside - Where is the penetration?
➡️ Saka is Arsenal's John Barnes - Shaw abandoned him

#ARSMUN #Arsenal #MUFC This is not a ETH side... sitting back and hoping for moments of quality, but he is making do with what strengths the squad currently has which at the moment is relying on Rashford to conjure moments of magic as soon as United win the ball back and opponents are in disarray..
Dec 18, 2022 17 tweets 5 min read
Argentina 3-3 France - Analysis [Thread]

➡️ Scaloni springs another surprise with Di Maria down the left!
➡️ Enzo proving what a top DLP/CDM talent is meant to do ... pockets Griezmann and controls the build up phase
➡️ Why Kounde had a mare..

#Messi𓃵 #Argentina #WorldCup2022 A stunning tactical decision to bring back Di Maria into the fold and then stick him up against Kounde rather than Theo. On paper Kounde should be a 'defensive' right back but he's someone who we have described as a 'right-centre-back'...
Dec 18, 2022 15 tweets 5 min read
Argentina v France • Tactical Preview [THREAD]

➡️ Scaloni go 3-5-2/4-3-3/4-4-2?
➡️ Target Theo or protect against Mbappe?
➡️ Can Alvarez hurt Varane or will Kounde/Konate help
➡️ Paredes could help Enzo against Griezmann...

#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #ArgentinaVsFrance #Messi𓃵 The formation is any ones guess, Scaloni has not repeated his formation or lineup since the start of the tournament. He is the Tinkerman of the World Cup but more often than not, he gets the big calls right...
Dec 17, 2022 16 tweets 5 min read
The story of the 'Bare-Footed' Indians who rejected the opportunity to play at the 1950 World Cup...

➡️ Despite 8/11 players being barefoot, they nearly knocked out France in the 1948 Olympics
➡️ Beat Ajax 5-1 in a European tour

[Thread]

#India #WorldCup2022 #France The 1948 London Olympics was India's first major international tournament, where a predominately barefooted Indian team (containing Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims) lost 2–1 to France, failing to convert two penalties.
Dec 16, 2022 10 tweets 4 min read
World Cup Flop XI…

➡️ Should Neuer go in goal?
➡️ Does Ronaldo lead the line?
➡️ Did KDB finally prove why he will never be fit to tie the laces of the likes of Iniesta?

Scroll down to find out!

#WorldCup #Ronaldo𓃵 #WorldCup2022 This guy gave me butterflies for all the wrong reasons every time the ball went near his goal - even if it was a back pass…
Dec 14, 2022 9 tweets 3 min read
How The 1978 Gold winning Pakistan Hockey Team Inspired Argentina's 1978 World Cup Win!

Cesar Luis Menotti was inspired by the tactics of the legendary Abdul Waheed Khan and in particular the concept of 'Double Attack'...

[Thread]

#Argentina #WorldCup2022 #Pakistan ImageImageImage In 1978, hockey and football World Cups were held in Argentina. The hockey event was held first. Throughout the Hockey World Cup, a wonderful Pakistan team managed by Abdul Waheed Khan displayed a breathtaking attacking game which captivated crowds and connoisseurs alike.
Dec 13, 2022 9 tweets 3 min read
Beside major decisions going against one, what type of bad refereeing display impacts a team the most? I'll elaborate in thread
1) Overly lenient on fouls
2) Fouls called when clean tackles
3) Overly cheap yellows for an aggressive team
4) No yellows for opponent v a clean team 3-IMO quickdraw Mcgraw refs dishing out yellows for next to nothing for aggressive teams = doesn't happen so often anymore but this would probs be the worst, even refs in the champs league are more lenient than before. Argentina v Netherlands was a rare 1 off but for both teams.
Dec 12, 2022 12 tweets 7 min read
Argentina v Croatia - Tactical Preview [Thread]

➡️ Croatia to dominate possession but Argentina wont mind
➡️ Litmus test for Gvardiol
➡️ How do Argentina deal with Croatia wide threat? 3-5-2 or 4-4-2?
➡️ Croatia's Aerial Threat

CC: @Effmatch

#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #ARGCRO Image @Effmatch Croatia’s slow style of play may suit Argentina as the latter will look to play on the break. Croatia don’t have rapid players, so they’ll look to build up slowly to allow their players to get into dangerous positions. Argentina are likely to forgo indulging a possession battle.
Dec 11, 2022 16 tweets 6 min read
England v France - An Analysis [Thread]

➡️The Mbappe Plan - Worked to a degree
➡️ Jude Who... Tchouameni's goal threat was overlooked
➡️ Saka exploited French Weak Link - Theo...
➡️ #BeKind Kane's pen... shit happens

CC: @Effmatch

#England #ENG #WorldCup #France Image Despite being double marked, Mbappe embarked upon a run which led to the first goal, completing sucking in the English bodies throwing themselves at him and leaving space open for Tchoumeni to take advantage.

He also had a moment where he made Walker contemplate retirement... Image
Nov 16, 2021 11 tweets 3 min read
Disagree that Sir Alex was not an attacking manager but have set out why I agree that his 'disciples' are managerial dimwits [A THREAD]

- Graft over quality (need both)
- Reading of the game is poor
- Lack ability to adapt
- Do not hire top coaches
- Poor man-management

#MUFC I agree that after 2007/08 - the quality of United football took a nose dive in terms of attacking excellence and relied heavily on their pre existing defensive structure which still seemed to keep going.
Oct 19, 2021 19 tweets 8 min read
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 (𝟒-𝟑-𝟏-𝟐) 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

✅Easy Build Up v 4-4-2 but difficult v 4-3-3
✅Solid in Low Block but energy sapping
❌Unsuited to high press/chase lead
✅Ideal Player Profiles
❌Not ideal for Grassroots

CC: @TacticalPad Image Build Up Phase (Basic Outline)

- CB’s split creating space for CDM to receive
- FB’s push higher to provide options after initial breakout)
- CM’s may need to drop short to facilitate progression from defensive third
- CF's may need to pull wide to provide direct passing option Image
Sep 29, 2021 25 tweets 8 min read
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟒-𝟏-𝟒-𝟏 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

✅In possession (Build Up against 4-4-2/4-3-3 and Final Third)
✅Out of possession (Shape for Pressing & Low Block)
✅Transitions
✅Ideal Player Profiles
❌Not ideal for Grassroots

CC: @TacticalPad Image Build Up Phase (Basic Outline)

- CB’s split creating space for CDM to receive
- FB’s drop short to provide passing options
- CAM’s may need to drop short to facilitate progression from defensive third Image
Aug 28, 2021 9 tweets 5 min read
#LIVCHE - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴VVD showed Lukaku's true level
🔴Liverpool need Origi against low block
🔴James = handball but not a red
🔴Havertz and Mount dangerous first half
🔴Liverpool fall asleep from corner

CC: @TacticalPad

#LFC #cfc #chelsea

👇 Havertz has always been a major set piece threat from his Leverkusen days, so why he's being marked by Henderson and not a VVD is poor man marking strategy by Liverpool.

He should be the main focus from a corner, not Lukaku.
Aug 27, 2021 9 tweets 4 min read
𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐨 𝐓𝐨 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞

🔴Shaw & Sancho = Aerial Service 🤤
🔴Do not play him as a winger!
🔴Incompatible with Pogba? 4-1-4-1...
🔴Can he work with Greenwood?
🔴Can't create/press

CC: @TacticalPad

#MUFC #CristianoRonaldo

[THREAD] Ronaldo is a GOAT aerial threat, arguably just behind your Pele's.

Sancho rarely stays out wide these days but there is no denying the fact that his crossing is elite and Shaw seems to have recaptured the art of crossing.

Rashford and Bruno could also cross from half spaces.
Jul 11, 2021 13 tweets 6 min read
#ITAENG - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴Southgate bottled it after taking lead. No lessons learned from Croatia.
🔴Time taken to unleash subs was criminal, Mancini was proactive.
🔴Subbing Immobile changed the game

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #ITA

👇 England fired out of the blocks. Italy did not expect English wing back to push up high from both flanks, let alone Kyle Walker making a surprise foray forward to outnumber Italy on the blindside.

Italy shifted across in haste, this time leaving space on the other flank.
Jul 7, 2021 8 tweets 4 min read
#ENGDEN - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴Southgate releases the shackles in extra time, learns from 2018 (Foden, Grealish and Sterling to the right)
🔴Saka did not hold width - England too lopsided
🔴Kane in Spurs mode

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #DEN England made a blistering start, once again combining down the left. The mids went wide in order to progress the play and Shaw's wonderful one touch flicks and passes kept finding Sterling.

It soon got clocked on to and Denmark shifted across, flooding that area with bodies.
Jul 7, 2021 8 tweets 4 min read
A study of Southgate’s in-game pressing strategies and variations.

#ENG chose their moments when to retreat and go for the jugular in their win against Germany.

Expect the same against #DEN - a team that generally likes to remain aggressive.

#ENGDEN #EURO2020

[THREAD] As expected England sat back in the opening exchanges - feeling their way into the new shape and frustrating the Germans early doors (notorious for their fast starts and putting teams away).
Jul 6, 2021 10 tweets 8 min read
#ITAESP - Tactical Thread

Key points:

- How Spain stopped Italy's build up play
- Italy forced to rely on transitions for attacks
- Olmo the False 9
- Morata's redemption arc is over

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ITA #ESP Italy were able to grab an equalizer via a more direct route to goal.

In stark contrast to their style all tournament, #ITA were forced to sit back and defend, relying on counter-attacks for chances.

Insigne and Chiesa would target the space behind #ESP fullbacks.
Jul 6, 2021 8 tweets 3 min read
An intriguing feature of #EURO2020 is how teams adapt their pressing strategy depending on the game state.

Teams rarely stay as a low block or press like mad men all game.

Here is a look at #ITA defensive actions heat map in different stages of their QF v Belgium.

[THREAD] In the first 15 minutes, the Italians keep it tight with the focus on keeping KDB quiet - the opposition dangerman. Image