Tag: 4-2-3-1

Game of Numbers #5 – Changing Shapes Mid-Game

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Formations, Game of Numbers, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Match Analysis

One of the truest tests of any tactically adept coach is to identify mechanisms for changing around their team’s fortunes mid-game. This is never an easy task, but one that managers must be reflecting on not only with their substitutions, but with the potential for changing the master-plan on a grander scale, whether that be a tactical tweak in style or system. In what was one of the games of the weekend, both Freiburg and Leverkusen made pivotal formational changes as the match wore on. Crucially, both teams changed back to the shapes that they've prioritized since the start of the season, calling into question why they ever abandoned their favoured choice in the first place.

Explaining the Creative Ten – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Data Analysis, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Recruitment & Scouting

When we say 'Creative Ten', I'm sure you immediately conjure up an image of a classical painter of a player, who wonderfully creates art with their passing and incisiveness in the final third. But as has been well documented over the past few years, that type of player does not tend to exist in the modern game. The Mesut Ozil's, David Silva's and Cesc Fabregas's of this world no longer tend to exist as they once did, or play in the same positions that they once held. Nowadays, 'number ten's' must not only be capable contributors in the final third, but highly active in pressing from the front, and contributing to rotations that spread the width of the pitch.

Leeds United 3-0 Chelsea – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Premier League

Jesse Marsch's Leeds United have started the 2022-23 season in stuttering form, but few would have expected the Whites to come up with such an impressive victory against Thomas Tuchel's high-flying Chelsea. Leeds battered and bruised the Blues into oblivion on Sunday, pressing relentlessly with heart and intensity at every turn. Jesse Marsch has inspired this mindset since he entered the door, and their off-season recruitment has allowed for a seamless transition into the American's ideals to take center-stage in 2022-23. Here is our analysis of Leeds' miraculous victory over Chelsea.

UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Final – England 2-1 Germany – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, Women's Football

England have finally done it. For the first time since 1966, England have won a major international tournament. Sarina Wiegman's team have been the undeniable best team at this summer's Euros, conceding just 2 goals, and scoring 22 in the process. After a hard-fought battle with Germany in the final, England came out as deserved winners of the tournament, but not without the help of their mighty substitutes. Here is our analysis of the match, and the brilliance of England all summer long.

England 4-0 Sweden – UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Match Analysis

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Match Analysis, Most Recent, Women's Football

Sweden might be the second best nation in the world on FIFA World Rankings, but on the pitch, they were easily second best in Tuesday night's semi-final. England on the other hand performed admirably and with a clinical verve, even if some unwanted discrepancies crept into their performance. In the end, Sarina Wiegman's team produced the goods when required, and now move onto the final with the chance to lift the country's first ever senior European Championships title, at their home ground, Wembley. Unfortunately for the Swedes, their worst showing of the tournament sends them home without a prayer; however, their attention can now be aimed towards a place at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

England 2-1 Spain – UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Women's Football

What an exhilarating game. England and Spain have been two of the best teams at this summer's European Championships, and the quarter-final match-up between the two heavyweights proved to be one of the best in recent memory. Both teams left absolutely everything on the pitch, pushing and probing for the win the entire 120 minutes. In the end it was the Three Lionesses that pulled off the impressive result in extra time, with Georgia Stanway and Kiera Walsh leading the charge to victory. Here is our analysis of the fiery affair.

Bethany Balcer – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Masterclasses, Most Recent, NWSL, Player Analysis, Striker, Women's Football

Out of all the 'Target Women' around, Bethany Balcer might be one of the very best in the modern game. Frequently used as an outlet for progressive passes, Balcer's back-to-goal incisiveness remains a threatening endeavour for her team, and one that is frequently useful in advancing OL Reign up the pitch. But now, after the arrival of Jordyn Huitema, Balcer's even upped her scoring game, ensuring Huitema has very little room to work with in stealing a spot in the squad at the start of her Reign career. Here is an analysis of Bethany Balcer's exceptional hold-up play, and the vast array of traits that make her one of the best forwards in the NWSL.

Analyzing Marco Rose’s time at Borussia Dortmund

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Managers, Most Recent, Team Analysis

Rose had clear attacking intentions and tactical ideologies that he wanted to implement, but few of them seemed to pan out in application. While many individuals consistently performed to the highest level, very few of them gelled together as a cohesive unit, working toward an over-arching tactical plan. Here in lies Rose's greatest failure. Those who watched Dortmund once in a blue moon were able to see the exact same problem as those who watched Dortmund week in and week out. The Black & Yellows simply played like a team of individuals.