The Tactical Analysis Thread

[alexandros]

I think that the team is very unbalanced.
Ronaldo, while a great player, may be the laziest player in la liga. He never checks to the ball to get it from midfielders and he cannot (or does not) pass. So, he basically plays himself into a one man show whenever he gets the ball. You may also notice that Raul and Ronaldo work very poorly together, I don't think I can even remember them passing the ball to each other. Figo is Figo, his game is dribbling and that is what he does, so he is more or less not a big problem on offence, but could do more to go and receive the ball. Then Zidane and Beckham both have had this problem for the past two years. They are both pure passers of the ball, and while Zidane can do amazing things on the ball, he is a passer first. These two are hurt badly by the fact that not many people move to get the ball, this is why Zidane is always trying to beat 3 defenders and Beckham is always hitting 40 yard passes straight across the field instead of to Raul or Ronaldo over the top (He does however hit balls over the top to Owen, because he actually moves without the ball).

The real problem with the current Madrid team in my opinion is that midfield players lack what I could call "multifunctional roles"-Figo,as you too mentioned,is Figo,a great flank attacking midfield with great skills on the ball but in fact not so gifted in off-ball movements.Gravesen,a great tackler and very strong as DM,but when it comes to creating the game, then what? Zidane is not the man to run a lot,go back to defense,tackle and disturb opponent midfields and Beckham fights for the ball and passes well but looks quite out of position,sometimes not knowing what exactly to do.So,that's why the team looks unbalanced,as not the same players contribute to defensive,organizing and striking functions.Look at other major clubs-ManUtd and Arsenal have Keane and Vieira,who cover up the whole midfield and can literally do everything there (run,tackle,pass,organize),Milan have Pirlo etc.

 

[shez]

I don't see a problem with Everton's tactics unless have to chase the game:

They have several banks of 4 in defence and mid-field with Carsley playing in the hold between the two. It’s tough to break down and with a target man like Bent/Beattie up front they're capable of scoring from set plays and finding the runs of the strikers with long/diagonal balls.

The problem arises when they concede a goal first. The opposition doesn't need to put them under so much pressure. Everton then struggle to find the run of the strikers with so many opposition players back behind the ball.

At the end of the day football is about getting results and i think Moyes has found the right formula for his Everton squad. Congratulations to him, Everton have been my team of the season even if they do slip from 4th. I will agree with you about one thing however. During the summer they need to sign a creative mid-fielder. Someone who will create that special something for them when they're chasing a game.

I suggest signing Yakubu from Pompey... him and Bent will be able to do a very good job and the pace + aerial threat combination will be lethal....

bent can drop and help out just as he's doing now while Yakubu will do what he does best..run at defenders and taking the pressure off his team...

cheers

 

[shez]

The real problem with the current Madrid team in my opinion is that midfield players lack what I could call "multifunctional roles"-Figo,as you too mentioned,is Figo,a great flank attacking midfield with great skills on the ball but in fact not so gifted in off-ball movements.Gravesen,a great tackler and very strong as DM,but when it comes to creating the game, then what? Zidane is not the man to run a lot,go back to defense,tackle and disturb opponent midfields and Beckham fights for the ball and passes well but looks quite out of position,sometimes not knowing what exactly to do.So,that's why the team looks unbalanced,as not the same players contribute to defensive,organizing and striking functions.Look at other major clubs-ManUtd and Arsenal have Keane and Vieira,who cover up the whole midfield and can literally do everything there (run,tackle,pass,organize),Milan have Pirlo etc.

how did they let Makalele go is beyond me

There are players who are on the field to run the show..the likes of Totti,Zidane,Figo want to control and conduct play EVERY time but together there will be conflict..as they say too many cooks will ruin the food lol

I really hope that Real won't switch to a boring 4-5-1 with the influence of Arrigo Sacchi... every team goes through a transition period like Mian in the mid 90's and Barca 2 or 3 years ago... Its a chance for real to cash in on their Aging stars and buy a better team (with a DM)

cheers

 

[shez]

Liverpool vs Juventus Analysis

Over the Years English teams ONLY succeeded against continental and specially Italian sides by raising the tempo of the game to an English level where the ball isn't caressed around the field patiently at all... it was direct forward passing and pressure football that unsettled the Italians who once they have time on the ball... are experts in killing a game off...

My favourite example was Newcastle Utd in the Nou Camp and when they played Roma and Barca in St.James Park 4 or 5 yrs ago... and Inter in San Siro...they scored plenty of goals and won amazingly...

Keys to Liverpool's success:

1- Benitez has to realize the above and stop being so negative (his style) because he'll have enough defending to do in the 2nd leg.....and also the player's mentality isn't suitable for a tight game (no techique)....

2- Camoranesi and Zambrotta are the main threat for the juve team... they are the players who can intercept a ball and build and provide width for the attack... If Riise and Finnan will want to go forward the DM's have to cover them otherwise a deadly Trez or Ibrahimovic will punish.....

3- LUIS GARCIA..... is the man for Liverpool in the champions league..the reason? technique and ability to hold the ball...win free kicks and get into dangerous positions....

Should Rafa go with a 4-5-1 and hope Baros will use his pace and hopefully put his head up while running with the ball? or Try to unsettle Juve and go for an I'VE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE mentality since they're the underdogs?

cheers