Tag: Mahmoud Dahoud

Explaining the Tempo Setter – Player Role Analysis

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

The 'Tempo Setter' is a unique player type to our system, taking into account the possession-based players that operate in a 'number 8' position, and thrive when given the ball in the half-spaces. Youri Tielemans, Christian Eriksen and Jordan Henderson feature as some of the best within the role from an emblematic perspective, perfectly exuding the cucumber coolness required. But the likes of Thiago and Tchouaméni also stake a claim despite their extreme exceptionalities on the ball, due to the high influence they present in keeping the game moving along from a withdrawn position. Beyond the streamlined skill of Thiago, they tend not to be the flashiest of players in their teams. But 'Tempo Setters' are key to setting the tone of a football match, and conducting the orchestra from start to finish. Quite simply, without their class and composure in possession, the whole entire musical production could crumble.

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.

Why Dortmund should persist with the 3-4-2-1 – BVB 6-0 Gladbach – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, German Bundesliga, Match Analysis, World Football

The main task of any manager in the modern tactical era is to implement a tactical system and style of play that simultaneously suits their own taste, while getting the best out of their best players, if not the entire squad. Marco Rose has rarely accomplished that feat this season, and would be wise to stick with the back-three in the future. Here is why Dortmund should persist with the 3-4-2-1 in the future, following their 6-0 win over Gladbach on Matchday 23.

Why Dortmund are so bad in defensive transitions

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, German Bundesliga, Managers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Team Analysis

Any time Borussia Dortmund look like they might be in with a shot of challenging Bayern for the Bundesliga title, they go and mess it up with an abysmal performance. Marco Rose's time in charge of the Black & Yellows has been characterized by a series of questionable tactical decisions (to say the least), and an utter lack of desire to fix the team's most pressing defensive concern - their disastrously poor positioning, speed and aptitude in transitions. After the club's shocking 5-2 loss to third place Bayer Leverkusen, we take an in-depth look at why Rose's Dortmund are so poor in defensive transitions, and what they can do to fix this.

Marco Rose – Borussia Dortmund – Tactical Analysis

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

Four months on from Rose's first match in charge of the Black & Yellows, BVB continue to find their feet. They've already been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, and recently failed to capitalize on a crucial chance to go top of the table ahead of Bayern Munich. For Dortmund fans, there can only be so much optimism that the club remain in second place, yet again. Sooner or later, they are going to have to start putting up a genuine challenge for the title again. If not, Marco Rose will end up just being another in a long line of Dortmund failures. So with that, we take an in-depth look at how Marco Rose's Borussia Dortmund have performed in 2021-22, and what needs to change if the Black & Yellows are to challenge for the title.

How Leverkusen Exposed Rose’s Midfield Diamond…To No Avail – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses

Borussia Dortmund are heading towards one of their worst seasons in years, and it is in large part due to the tactics of their new manager - Marco Rose. But quite confusingly, they continue to grind out wins. Rose has set his team up to play in a diamond midfield formation, that suits one single player in the squad, and nobody else, yet somehow they've escaped complete desperation two weeks in a row. The Black & Yellows currently sit second in the table as things stand, three points off the top, but they are very lucky to be anywhere near that.

How Freiburg beat Dortmund…again – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Formations, German Bundesliga, Match Analysis

SC Freiburg beat a bruised and battered Borussia Dortmund team on Saturday as part of Matchday 2 in the Bundesliga, with the Black & Yellows looking completely out of sorts in only their second league match under Marco Rose. Here is our analysis of the match!