Learning Football ⬇️
Joined June 2022
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Unai Emery’s Aston Villa consistently found central access to attack Enzo Maresca’s Man City space between the lines.
Villa primarily built up with a double pivot, but John McGinn could drop deeper to form a midfield three.
Either creating another passing option or drawing opponents with him, opening a passing lane for Nicolas Jackson — before attacking the large space for transition.
For the winning goal, Jackson attacked both gaps: first during the build-up, then to receive Mbaye’s cutback. Punishing Man City’s lack of compactness.
Ezri Konsa pressing Harry Kane into Bayern’s own box!
Kane has constantly created problems with his deep playmaking ability. He even took the goal kick himself, with Saibari/Davies/Gnabry attacking the big space.
On Bayern’s 1st goal, Arsenal made a mistake in their defensive communication. Konsa wanted to rotate, but the execution was poor — leaving Kane free between the lines with a direct route to Davies, who was ready to attack the space behind.
Iñigo Pérez’s Villarreal looked comfortable progressing centrally and exploiting Andoni Iraola’s defensive gaps, both inside and outside the block.
Nathan Saliba had a good first 45 minutes — but Ayoze Pérez showed more dynamism, especially in the final 10 minutes, when he operated more often in the pocket.
Ayoze’s ability to receive between the lines and attack the space behind led to an assist. Almost forcing a draw at Anfield.
MT retweeted
This week, we head to the United States to analyse one of the most impressive teams of the season.
A 3-4-3 diamond, diagonality and the youngest coach in MLS.
Saint Louis CITY SC | Tactical Analysis
With @tmccabe98 & @EdwardStratmann
youtube.com/watch?v=EbPGjWGG…
MT retweeted
Leeds United - Manchester United.
Manchester United moving from a 5-4-1 defensively to a 3-4-3 offensively.
Pedro Neto.
xitter.cf/MT_Analysis/status/209…
As mentioned, playing more attacking WBs like Pedro Neto increases the offensive upside, especially with his ability to attack both inside/outside and offer run-in-behind threats.
Making Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea attack more dynamic. Neto became an option for the cutback on Chelsea’s 2nd from Morgan Rogers’ pass, due to his diagonal runs from wide.
One of the best performers vs Brighton, giving Ferdi Kadıoğlu hell all game. Can’t wait for Palestra too — both having the ability to play on either side and interchange.
Of course, there’s a defensive downside too. Neto played a role in Brighton’s 1st goal, but Xabi needs to manage this trade-off. The positive is that they can continue to learn while winning.
Playing on the left simplifies the game for Noni Madueke.
Repeatedly tries to beat his defender then cross, with just a few combination plays. Using both feet to keep defenders guessing.
— 5/6 accurate crosses (83%)
— Most chances created (3)
His cross led to Arsenal’s 1st goal in their comeback. Finding Ben White at the far post, before Ben White bounced it to Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal's best attacker vs Leeds.
If he wants to play consistently in Mikel Arteta’s team, Madueke also needs to improve his defensive involvement — as he played a part in Leeds’ goal by failing to track James Justin’s run.
