--------------------Lloris
Gaspar-----Pepe-----Godin-----Bertrand
----------Casemiro-------Pjanic
Mane-------------Ozil------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Matip, Wendell, Krychowiak, Radja, Di Maria, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own.
Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
The focus of the midfield 2 will be to use their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, working in collaboration with Ozil to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. When we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Ozil takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Casemiro looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him to create less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Pjanic takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt and occasionally providing the short option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Radja for Ozil - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
81 + 85 Mins - Krych for Casemiro and Wendell for Bertrand - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Radja for Casemiro - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing
70 Mins - Matip, Kane and Radja for Bertrand, Casemiro and Clyne - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.
PSG 0 (0) v (2) 2 Fl Milan
Locatelli, Dzeko
MOTM - Locatelli
Milan win 4-0 on Agg
AS Rovenli 0 (0) v (0) 2 Portsmouth
Lewandowski(KDB), Dembele
MOTM Dembele
Portsmouth win 2-0 on Agg
Bayer Dortmund 0(0) v (0)2 Newcastle
Suarez x 2(Firmino, Ozil)
Motm Firmino
Newcastle win 2-0 On Agg
Aston Villa 2(2) v (0)0 Arsenal
Zlatan x 2
MOTM Zlatan Aston Villa win 4-0 on Agg
Portsmouth v Milan
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Balanced 4-3-3
Key to our game plan today, is quick passing moves in the midfield and using our pace out wide. In Verratti and Khedira we have two high tempo players that will give us great energy in midfield, Thiago in front is brilliant at intercepting the play and together give us a solid defensive base to the side. Importantly though, they're all excellent at controlling games.
Vitolo on the right wing brings natural width on the right and most importantly someone that will work hard. We feel he brings more balance to our side as we look to get the best out of Hazard and Ronaldo. Looking to stretch the game to create space for our midfield.
Khedira is the holding player today, a calming influence in possession keeping it simple but more importantly powerful and intelligent defensively. Verratti looking to pick the ball up from deep and link the defence and attack. Thiago the more advanced playmaker of the trio. Thiago and Verratti together will look to work together to dominate possession.
The midfield should never be flat. Create as many lines as possible to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition. Our wide attackers, and the attacking fb look to give us width and stretch the game.
We will also try the odd long ball, either direct to Ronaldo or over the top for the pace of our forwards to run on to.
We defend in a rigid defensive unit behind the ball, the two closest players pressing the ball, the others getting back and pressing the space so that they have no options to break.
---------------- Neuer
Danilo- S.Ramos – Otamendi - Kurzawa
--------- Verratti – Khedira
--------------- Thiago.A
Vitolo ---------------------- Hazard
-------------- C.Ronaldo
Subs. Zieler, Umtiti, A.Vidal, Cesc, Kranevitter, Douglas Costa, Diego Costa
Key to our attack is quick attacking play. Varying our play and how we get the ball to our front three in space.
Defending in numbers
We look to control the opposition by pressing the space with a narrow rigid defensive unit, only allowing them to play in areas we want them to. When we lose the ball the closest player presses the ball, the second closest presses the obvious passing channel. As they’re doing this everyone else bar Hazard and Ronaldo gets behind the ball into position. Stop them breaking.
In a deep, narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Draw them in to positions where they can’t hurt us, and then try and win the ball back.
As Barcadrid advance into higher areas of the park and into our half, our shape will resemble a 4-4-1-1, narrowing to the side of play. Thiago moves to the left to track Bellerin if he gets forward. Hazard and Ronaldo ahead of two walls of four ready to expose any space they leave on the counter.
In this tight rigid formation, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Khedira will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, reading any dangers to get across.
Narrowing the play to the side Barcadrid are attacking, pushing them backwards and wide away from danger. When they switch play, we switch over.
Attack.
Get the ball to our wingers, get them attacking their fbs.
Sami and Verratti picking the passes to start the attacks. They take turns to look for space in between the defence and midfield. They both have the ability to link with our front three and be a threat in and around their box.
We want quick one twos in the opposition half. Verratti, Thiago and the wingers will always be looking for the killer ball. If it is not on, we are happy to keep possession, attacking down the wings.
Ronaldo has freedom to play his natural game and get the goals.
Captain: Ramos
Subs.
If winning after 65 mins bring on Douglas Costa for Vitolo. Fresh pace to get at them as Barcadrid will be looking to attack.
If winning after 70 mins bring on Diego Costa for Ronaldo. Bully their tired defenders.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Kranevitter for Verratti. Fresh legs.
If drawing after 65 mins bring on Diego Costa and Douglas Costa for Ronaldo and Vitolo. Fresh attack.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Kranevitter for Verratti to dm. Give attackers more freedom.
If losing after 55 mins bring on Diego Costa for Verratti. 4-2-3-1. Hazard behind Costa, Ronaldo left.
If losing after 60 mins bring on Douglas Costa for Vitolo.
--------------------Lloris
Clyne-----Pepe-----Godin-----Bertrand
----------Krychowiak-----Radja
Mane-------------Ozil------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Matip, Wendell, Casemiro, Tolisso, Di Maria, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own.
Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
The focus of the midfield 2 will be to use their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, working in collaboration with Ozil to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. When we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Ozil takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Krychowiak looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him to create less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Radja takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt and occasionally providing the short option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Tolisso for Ozil - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
81 + 85 Mins - Casemiro for Krych and Wendell for Bertrand - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Radja for Casemiro - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing
70 Mins - Matip, Kane and Tolisso for Bertrand, Krych and Clyne - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers.
comment by JustYourAverageFan (U21016)
posted on 20/12/16
--------------------------Cillissen---------------------
---S. Roberto-----Pique-----T. Silva----Alba------
---------------Macherano------Saul------------------
-------Isco----------------Iniesta-----------Bale-----
----------------------------Messi-----------------------
Subs: Moya, Gimenez, Mathieu, Gabi, Manquillo, Vela, Torres.
Team with a great amount of quality to it. A fantastic spine with experience, energy and creativity. The main game plan is to have our side dominate possession and look to get the ball forward quickly with atacking, fluid football. Mascherano will drop into CB when we have the ball to allow Sergi Roberto and Alba the license to really bomb on down the flanks and Saul as the engine creator in midfield. The front 4 must use all of their creativity, movement and shift the ball quickly in gaps to open up the opposition defence.
Cillissen is an excellent shot stopper and with the use of his feet too. Must look to distrbiute to the centre backs, organise and trust their ability on the ball. As said, Masherano drops into CB along with Pique and Thiago Silva as they build from the back with them 3 in possession of the ball. Sergi Roberto and Alba now have the license to go forward and really squeeze their wingers back and make a link with Isco and Bale out on the flanks. They defend with rigidity and minimise all the gaps in behind and between the lines.
Saul is at the base of the midfield when they have the ball. He looks to use his energy and creativity and link the play up as much as possible. He needs to receive the ball from the defenders always creating an option for them and he needs to find a pass into the more attacking players or the full backs in wider areas advancing. Isco, Iniesta and Bale are the forward midfielders, must link everything together and exploit all the gaps. Isco has the license to roam inside with Sergi Roberto providing the width out wide on the right hand side so Isco can come and play through the middle. Iniesta floats and roams and looks for the right moment to pick a right pass. Bale really gets forward and looks to get a 1v1 with his man and use his explosive pace to get round him and work the ball into the area.
Messi is at the tip of the attack. With his ability, there is no limit as to what this side can produce. Must be making himself hard to mark and pick up and really needs to create and get into goalscoring areas where he is his biggest threat. Always playing on the floor and looking to link with the midfield to get in behind the defence and into the box as much as possible where the team will score goals.
Subs:
Gabi for Saul (70 mins)
Torres for Iniesta (75 mins - Isco AM, Messi RW)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------- De Gea ----------------------
Bellerin --- Bonucci --- Manolas --- B.Mendy
--------------- Arturo --- Sergio ----------------
Sanchez ------------ Alli -------------- Neymar
-------------------- Aguero ----------------------
Heaton, Fabinho, Henrichs, Benteke, Pogba, Mbappe, Dybala
Huge game but we are up for this, they have a fantastic team who will be nipping at our toes so we must play our usual quick, one touch, passing, looking for gaps to run into making ourselves available. When they have we press as a team and give them no time at all.
In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.
Bonucci in beside Manolas, on this occassion Manolas will man mark the CF. Manolas is a very cultured defender who is quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, powerfully built so marking the CF should be no trouble as he has to man up to him, will keep him away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Bonucci alongside is fantastic in the air, so will mark any other players that come into our danger area, strong in the air and strong in the tackle and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger. A clever player who can intercept attacks very quickly before they begin and he does this with great effect and simply takes the ball away from attackers. He too can carry the ball out from defence but we must be careful and only do this when it is possible. His passing is too top class as he at times plays the simple ball, however his range is fantastic and can quite easily ping a 50 yards pass forward for the front line to chase or take down. Both go up for corners and are a huge threat.
Bellerin and Mendy at fullback, we must keep the wingers quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas where is dangerous in any position. This is a vital clash in this game. They will be up against quality wingers so look to force him away from goal and backwards. I want them to attack when in no danger (one at a time, dont be left exposed)so time these runs perfectly. One sits back a bit and allowing the other to attack, this is keeping a 3 at the back at all times. Their marking abilities are sound, both have good positional sense and very quick, do not make rash desicions and will stay on their feet. When one goes the other stays as they look to make an extra man down the flank for our wingers to cut inside or play neat one twos to free the wingers up as there fullbacks get dragged out of position.
We have a very industrious pairing in the middle, Busquets to stop the AM getting the ball from midfield to the striker, he must be right on top of him looking to close him down at the quickest opportunity, let him dictate play and there striker will get plenty chances, we must not let this happen. So quick and into him, fairly and stop this! Busquets himself will look to dictate from deep as he picks up from the defence and looks to drive us forward with precision passing. Vidal v the second most advanced midfielder much the same, but obvs when we have the ball he is allowed to move forward and move into dangerous areas where he is best and force there players back, Vidal should have a bit of time to look around him for the pass as he looks to find his team mates with ease. Pass and move always look for the return pass. When they have then close down the CM, he will look to ping the ball about so get to him before that opportunity arises. We have put Dele Alli in a No.10 role against there DM he must be strong, he is an all round fantastic midfielder,, however he will look to take the DM on one v one drag him about open up spaces for others to drive into, with the ball at feet look to play quick one twos with those around him so he makes the runs into the box looking for that return ball that will get him in on goal. If the ball is played to him with his back to goal hold it up, draw the foul from the DM, if it doesnt come then look to lay it off, look to play the slide pass into Aguero, he must support Aguero as best he can and the two must link up very well, very quickly, Alli is fantastic in front of goal, I think his record speaks for itself. All three are good all round midfielders, But Busquets i want to sit in the hole with the two either side when defending. I want our defence and midfield shutting down everything quickly, even if its high up the pitch, we don't give them time on the ball to get it to their dangerous front three.
Neymar and Sanchez are known for their creativity, speed, and technical ability and are fearless, explosive attacking midfielders who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble. More importantly both scorers of wonderful and important goals. Both technically excellent in limited areas, fast explosive acceleration during the first ten yards. Which more often than not takes them passed defenders and allows them to get into dangerous areas. Always play with there heads up looking for the runs of others to get the ball into there feet. Sanchez I want to be a proper winger today and look to drive down the line and keep it to the outside making them come to him, which will leave holes in the centre of the pitch hopefully he will get the ball into. When they have the ball look to stick close to fullbacks/wingbacks and stop them coming forward especially Marcelo, Sanchez must track him when he has the ball. Just track the fullbacks and use pace to get back and in around there faces to stop them becoming a threat. Always be looking for Alli inside as the four make an awesome quartet in behind Aguero and a scary proposition for there slowish back line.
Aguero will get plenty chances, hat trick last week so bang in form, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, however I want to target the slower of the two. Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges..All of our front four/five will be a threat today we must go for it and keep pace with the league leaders. Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Neymar and Sanchez, Alli will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Alli as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.
Captain - Bonucci
Penalties - Neymar
Free kicks - Neymar
Corners - Wingers
Subs
Losing
65 Mins - Fabinho for Alli,, Busquets drops to play CB as he has done before, Fabinho takes up the DM role, Bellerin and Mendy become wingbacks in a 343 formation
75 Mins - Benteke for Aguero and Dybala for Sanchez, Benteke a focal point in the attack with Dybala and Neyamar buzzing around him
Winning -
75 Mins - Fabinho for Alli, sit in alongside Vidal and Busquets
80 Mins - Dybala for Aguero, Mbappe for Neymar
Drawing -
70 Mins - Dybala for Alli sit in at No.10
80 Mins - Mbappe for Neymar
————————Courtois
Azpilicueta——Luiz——Koulibaly——Marcelo
——Pedro—Gagliardini—Rakitic——Koke
————Aubameyang—Griezmann
Subs: K.Schmeichel, A.Christensen, V.Moses, L.Baker, Y.Fereira-Carrasco, B.Traore, E.Unal.
Captain: David Luiz
Free Kicks: David Luiz/Ivan Rakitic/Antoine Griezmann
Corners: Koke/Ivan Rakitic
Penalties: Pierre Emerik Aubameyang
Big game today, we have to negate their space and force them to commit forward and leave space for us to attack.
Intense pressing system from the start, whenever the ball is lost higher up we are in their faces. The strikers will push right up on to the CBs, pressing them quickly and making sure they don’t have time to weigh up their options, with the winger on the side of attack quick to make it 3 pressing and the other winger tucking in to give us 3 in midfield, use this 6 to quickly box Chelsea in, rush their defenders on the ball by closing the lanes to the midfield quickly, force them wide or into risky passes to forwards, trying to win the ball back quickly to attack them higher up.
If they beat this phase of pressing we will drop deep, everyone back behind the ball. The strikers must be quick to drop in, shut off passing lanes to and from Busquets, make sure they can’t go through him in any phase of the attack. The midfield and defensive lines push in and narrow very quickly, 2 banks of four, giving us a 10 vs 6 and forcing them, if they haven’t already had to go out to the FBs, to now do so. We won’t be aggressive when defending deeper in the middle third of the field, stick to our 4-4-2 and look after the passing lanes, make sure the ball can’t be played forward and that the attackers off the ball and close down rather than the man on the ball, concede space to the man in possession as he will be forced instead to pass it to someone marked, or pass wide. When a ball is played to a player with his back to goal, or the pass is slightly misplaced we hound that man and look to get the ball back, we have such a compact team that whenever this happens we always have 2-3 players who can hound quickly.
When the ball moves wide we compact into that third, defence and midfield closing around the opposition area of build up in order to trap them and continue our high pressure, aggressive pressing. In these wide areas we must be aggressive. If they go out to Mendy and Neymar then three players immediately press the ball, Pedro and Azpilicueta get right in the face of either FB/winger so he can’t pass forward/back to the other and Gagliardini comes across to help the press and make sure they can’t get it into the middle, with Koke and Rakitic taking up CM positions, forwards back to virtually make it 4 v 3 in midfield and the rest of the defence forming a back 3 that narrows to this side of the field and stops any crosses. The same happens with the left sided players when Chelsea go down their right, and in the unlikely event of a perfect cross field pass, we reshuffle quickly.
Attacks start where we win the ball so we will already have numbers in position to quickly transition the ball forward and this should be done looking to attack the wide areas, either with quick balls out to our wide men, or into the strikers, one moving wide into the vacant space on the side of the opposition’s failed attack, dragging out a CB to help him and isolating the remaining CB with Auba/Griezmann, or dragging out Busquets and opening up room for our midfielders to take hold of the game. We keep a back 3 when we attack for two reasons. Firstly we want Marcelo to have a free license, he can hold plenty of width on the left and look to get behind the FB for FBs or into crossing positions, either from deep or the byline, which also allows Koke inside to give us an overload in the middle, but he can also make runs through the middle, using his burst of pace that our AMs don’t really possess, this switches the attacks up and makes it difficult to mark, when he does this Koke goes wider to keep things stretched. Secondly, 3 at the back makes us harder to press as we push more players forward and keep our 3 remaining defenders stretched out, Azpi and Koulibaly pushed up and wider, Luiz deeper at the base of a triangle that works at getting the ball quickly to the wide attackers or back to Luiz who can play more direct balls to the forwards. Gagliardini will position himself behind midfield and attack, he is selected for his excellent power and height as well as his in your face style that will help us press and deal with Pogba/Alli but also on the ball he is very calm, positioned just behind attacks, he keeps things ticking. Koke and Rakitic have a lot of freedom, play as 8’s or as wide men, so when Marcelo/Pedro pushes infield, the CM on that side goes wide to keep balance, and likewise if they join the attack line, one attacker must drop back to the midfield line. They roam wherever they can get overloads, either with the wide attackers or with the two forwards, use their excellent engines and passing to find the spaces. Pedro plays as the wide forward on the right, much like Marcelo he has great pace and ability to beat a man, with the added bonus that his out to in runs between FB and CB are so dangerous, look to lead breakouts as well as finish them. Its pivotal we get at their FBs today and test their defensive positioning. Griezmann is everything you want in a striker, he drops deep, he goes wide, he runs behind, he finds the gaps and works in tandem with Aubameyang who will lead the line as our goal getter, running behind and wide, using his pace to attack the opposition.
Subs:
If Winning: Carrasco for Aubameyang 70’, higher work rate off the ball, he and Griezmann know their roles in stopping the DM dictating play. Moses for Pedro 75’, fresh legs and a excellent burst of pace to help us break out if on the back foot, with the added bonus that we can become a back 5 if Chelsea go two up front and defend in a 5-4-1 with Carrasco dropping to RM. Christensen for Rakitic 85’, slots in as an out and out DM, high energy to give us the legs we need in midfield.
If Drawing: Carrasco for Pedro 70’, like for like, fresh legs. Moses for Koke 75’, swap with Carrasco, his added pace and energy can change a game late on against tiring FBs, whilst if we come under serious pressure we can go to 5 at the back. Bertrand Traore for Aubameyang 80’, just a bit of something different, looks to run at players rather than run in behind, cause a bit of confusion whenever we get them on the back foot.
If Losing: Change to a 3-4-3 with Pedro as an advanced WB, Carrasco replaces Koke 60’, gives us another really director runner. Unal for Pedro 70’, Carrasco WB, Unal comes on up top and we look to play longer balls into him, get Aubemeyang running behind him up against the two CBs and Unal in the hole behind, winning the aerial duels and bringing us into the game. Christensen for Koulibaly 75’, gives us 3 CBs who can play the longer passes, really bombard them, get them on the back foot and push up as a unit.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Chelsea
Scorers:
MotM: Marcelo
A very interesting tactical battle resulted in a first leg that leaves everything to play for on the 26th. Liverpool will be buoyed by the fact that their extremely well organised defence can hold out the breathtaking Chelsea attack but Chelsea, in turn, will be elated at having everything to gain at their own ground. The 2nd leg of this tie will be very interesting!
Leicester 2-1 Barcadrid
Scorers: Ronaldo x2 (Thiago, Pen); Bale (Messi)
MotM: Khedira
While Ronaldo may have been the match winner with his brace, it was Khedira's discipline and intelligence at the base of the midfield that was the catalyst for a Leicester victory.
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Newcastle
Suarez(Firmino)
Firmino(Radja)
MOTM - Firmino
FioInter Milan
4-5-1 Counter
First and foremost we want to be difficult to beat. We have gone with a majority of Italian players, bring it back to Catenaccio. Miranda is the free cb, sweeping. As the other 3 defenders man mark the likely 3 Newcastle attackers (striker and wingers). Motta using his intelligence to sit, and sweep in between the defence and midfield.
Pastore and Bonaventura’s dribbling ability will be important in beating Newcastle higher up the pitch. In defence, not allowing them to counter, and allowing us to get back in to position.
When the opposition have the ball. We defend deep, everyone behind the ball bar Dzeko. Motta sweeps in front of the defence, with Loca and Ramires going man for man with their more attacking cms. The winger opposite play looks to come narrow, sit in front of their dm. Stopping a pass, and in a position to break on the side of play or to get back and help the defence if needed.
We defend in this unit. Man for man with three players spare covering the central zones. Dzeko remains free up top.
------------ Donnarumma
Abate -– A.Rami –- Miranda -- Santon
----- Ramires – T.Motta – Locatelli
Pastore ------------------ Bonaventura
--------------- E.Dzeko
Subs. Sportiello, B.Peres, Tello, Gervinho
Looking to defend as a unit and attack on the break. Dzeko offers someone who we can go long to, while we’ll also look for diagonals/long balls to the wide players. Locatelli and Motta will be the players looking to come deep, collect the ball, and set us on the attack.
Down the wings we have pace and great energy, and in the central midfield trio we have a mix of everything. Locatelli and Ramires offer the ability to pick passes going forward, while Ramires’s drive and energy will be important going forward and in defence. Motta will be the most defensive of the trio, using his intelligence and positioning to sit in front of the defence. Locatelli has freedom to join the attack and create.
When we attack we look to attack narrow, Pastore and Bonaventura come inside, looking for space in between the midfield and defence. We want them to support and play off Dzeko as much as possible. Look to overload them in this area with Ramires and Locatelli supporting. Locatelli and Bonaventura offering the Italian flair going forward. Pastore offering an Argie no.10 in the mix too.
Set pieces will also be important, likes of Miranda, Motta joining Dzeko in the box for all corners and free kicks. Bonaventura on set pieces.
Viva Italia!
If winning after 65 mins bring on Lapadula for Pastore. More Italians. Great work ethic and pace.
If winning after 70 mins bring on Tello for Bonaventura and Peres for Locatelli. Pure pace as game opens up.
If drawing after 65 mins bring on Lapadula for Ramires. Bonaventura to cm. More pace in attack.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Tello for Pastore. More pace.
If losing after 60 mins bring on Peres and Lapadula for Pastore and Loactelli. 4-4-2. Peres RM, Lapadula up top with Dzkeo.
If losing after 75 mins bring on Gervinho for Abate. 3-4-3. Aim for his forehead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------- Handanovic
---------- Varane ----- Javi.M ----- Laporte
Carvajal ----- Gundogan --- Matuidi -------- Ghoulam
------------ De Bruyne ---------- O.Dembele
--------------------- Lewandowski
Subs: Navas, Guerreiro, Rabiot, Fernandinho, Coman, Martial, Mandzukic
Europa League S/Finals,
3-4-3. possession based looking to attack the flanks, pass and move with a high intensity and tempo, runners providing options on and off the ball as we overload the play either side and get them running after shadows.
Today we defend as a unit and attack as a unit, structured and narrowing passing lanes in defence to enforce errors whilst creating overloads in attack within a instance, as many if not more attackers getting forward then they have defenders.
Carvajal and Ghoulam integral to how we play. I want our central midfield duo to sit in and remained disciplined allowing our fullbacks to burst forward and stretch the opposition when attacking.
Stretching them is key today, allows for our creative outlets to operate more freely in central areas, if they stifle the mf we are more then capable of playing Dembele/KdB as more traditional out and out wingers, cutting inside and working with our FB's to provide the width.
With our CM's sitting in providing a base and three CB's at the back, it gives our attackers the flexibility to get forward whilst we remain solid at the back, in short giving us a great balance and fluidity to our play.
It starts with Handanovic at the back, very good with his hands and feet. Fast and precise with his distribution to ensure we are controlling possession and initiating attacks quickly.
Quick and nimble CB’s either side of Martinez, stay tight at the back and makes themselves available for pass. At times Martinez can step out and get his foot on the ball or come short and collect from Handanovic, looking to thread a ball through to the midfielders/flanks or simple long ball over the top looking for Lewandowski to hold up play and bring others into the game.
Our wing-backs stay wide, looking to link with our midfielders and stretching the opposition. When our mf'ers are on the ball we need to give them as much passing options as possible, create lines and pass and move with the aim of getting it into our attackers pronto, overlap consistently on the flanks and work opportunities infield.
Offensively, our midfielders sit deep and spread the play at a quick tempo, patient but penetrative. The duo provide a shield, if they are being vigorously pressed they know the next pass on before they receive the ball, good at working in restrictive space also. Matuidi at times maraud and use his burst of energy to get us moving forward, very physical and able to shield the ball in tight areas.
Defensively, need to oppress their midfielders and not allow them to adventure forward, roam or pick a pass in space. Matuidi and Gundogan need to work their socks off and cover every blade of grass, high on stamina. Man-mark, If they want to find an attacker make sure it is with a high degree of risk of losing possession, if they move the ball backwards, we re-organise and repeat as a well organised unit.
Off the ball, we revert to more of a defensive structured unit. Lewa, KdB and O.Dembele pressing from the front and as a unit behind we cut out passing lanes and man-mark their most creative outlets.
When they enter our half, 10 players behind the ball and press with high intensity. When we press, press as a unit. High workrate, organisation and aggression, cut off the supply going forward by pressing the space and only allow them to play where we want them to. Man-mark and allow little time on the ball for their more creative based players to dictate or create.
Our structure and unit behind the ball should enforce the opposition to take risk as they press to find an attacker, allowing us to take advantage and transition to counter when we regain possession.
Throughout we should frustrate them with our organisation, stay rigid and allow their attackers little involvement in the game so they have to come deeper to get involved, make them play in front of us and ensure we prevent runs in behind as much as possible.
In mf/attack we need to counter their press especially in central areas, diamond in midfield with Martinez dropping anchor playing slightly ahead of the other two CB's when on the ball, passing in triangles and using high energy, distribute and get them running after our shadows. The longer we are on the ball, the more they will tire as the game progresses and the more time we get to take a breather from defending.
Service out from the back, put them off their organisation with diagonal balls over the top into feet, switch the play quickly and allow the attackers to run into space.
Lewandowski strong as an outlet, strong support from attackers. Link constantly with teammates and run in-behind, dominate the CB's aerially and press from the front.
Subs:
70th minute - If winning - (3-4-3)
Rabiot > Matuidi
Mandzukic > KdB
Coman > Dembele (84th minute)
70th minute – if draw - (3-5-2 )
Guerreiro > Ghoulam
Mandzukic > KdB
Martial > O.Dembele (77th minute)
70th minute - If losing (4-4-2 - direct)
Mandzukic > Laporte
Coman > KdB
Guerreiro > Ghoulam
C – Lewandowski
FK’s – De Bruyne / near - Lewandowski
Corners – Gundogan/ De Bruyne
Pens – Lewandowski
------------------------ DeGea -----------------------
P.Lahm ----- Bonucci ----- Manolas ----- Ricardo
---------------- Arturo ------- Sergio ----------------
Sanchez -------------- Pogba -------------- Neymar
------------------------ Aguero -----------------------
Heaton, Mendy, Caldara, Kessie, Mbappe, Sterling, Dybala
Huge game but we are up for this but we are full of confidence after just clinching the title, they have a fantastic team who will be nipping at our toes so we must play our usual quick, one touch, passing, looking for gaps to run into making ourselves available. When they have we press as a team and give them no time at all.
In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.
Bonucci in beside Manolas, on this occassion Manolas will man mark the CF. Manolas is a very cultured defender who is quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, powerfully built so marking the CF should be no trouble as he has to man up to him, will keep him away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Bonucci alongside is fantastic in the air, so will mark any other players that come into our danger area, strong in the air and strong in the tackle and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger. A clever player who can intercept attacks very quickly before they begin and he does this with great effect and simply takes the ball away from attackers. He too can carry the ball out from defence but we must be careful and only do this when it is possible. His passing is too top class as he at times plays the simple ball, however his range is fantastic and can quite easily ping a 50 yards pass forward for the front line to chase or take down. Both go up for corners and are a huge threat.
Lahm and Ricardo in at fullback, we must keep the wingers/wingbacks quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas where is dangerous in any position. This is a vital clash in this game. They will be up against quality wingers so look to force him away from goal and backwards. I want them to attack when in no danger (one at a time, dont be left exposed)so time these runs perfectly. One sits back a bit and allowing the other to attack, this is keeping a 3 at the back at all times. Their marking abilities are sound, both have good positional sense and very quick, do not make rash desicions and will stay on their feet. When one goes the other stays as they look to make an extra man down the flank for our wingers to cut inside or play neat one twos to free the wingers up as there fullbacks get dragged out of position. Ricardo will be making these runs more than Lahm which allows Neymar to go more central
We have a very industrious pairing in the middle, Busquets to stop the main AM getting the ball from midfield to the striker, he must be right on top of him looking to close him down at the quickest opportunity, let him dictate play and there striker will get plenty chances, we must not let this happen. So quick and into him, fairly and stop this! Busquets himself will look to dictate from deep as he picks up from the defence and looks to drive us forward with precision passing. Vidal v the second most advanced midfielder much the same, but obvs when we have the ball he is allowed to move forward and move into dangerous areas where he is best and force there players back, Vidal should have a bit of time to look around him for the pass as he looks to find his team mates with ease. Pass and move always look for the return pass. When they have then close down the CM, he will look to ping the ball about so get to him before that opportunity arises. We have put Pogba in a No.10 role against there DM he must be strong, he is an all round fantastic midfielder,, however he will look to take the DM on one v one drag him about open up spaces for others to drive into, with the ball at feet look to play quick one twos with those around him so he makes the runs into the box looking for that return ball that will get him in on goal. If the ball is played to him with his back to goal hold it up, draw the foul from the DM, if it doesnt come then look to lay it off, look to play the slide pass into Aguero, he must support Aguero as best he can and the two must link up very well, very quickly, Pogba is fantastic in front of goal. All three are good all round midfielders, But Busquets i want to sit in the hole with the two either side when defending. I want our defence and midfield shutting down everything quickly, even if its high up the pitch, we don't give them time on the ball to get it to their dangerous front three.
Neymar and Sanchez are known for their creativity, speed, and technical ability and are fearless, explosive attacking midfielders who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble. More importantly both scorers of wonderful and important goals. Both technically excellent in limited areas, fast explosive acceleration during the first ten yards. Which more often than not takes them passed defenders and allows them to get into dangerous areas. Always play with there heads up looking for the runs of others to get the ball into there feet. Sanchez I want to be a proper winger today and look to drive down the line and keep it to the outside making them come to him, which will leave holes in the centre of the pitch hopefully he will get the ball into. When they have the ball look to stick close to fullbacks/wingbacks and stop them coming forward especially Marcelo, Sanchez must track him when he has the ball and give Lahm as much assistance as possible. Just track the fullbacks and use pace to get back and in around there faces to stop them becoming a threat. Always be looking for Pogba inside as the four make an awesome quartet in behind Aguero and a scary proposition for there back line.
Aguero will get plenty chances, he is bang in form, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, however I want to target the slower of the two. Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges..All of our front four/five will be a threat today we must go for it and keep pace with the league leaders. Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Neymar and Sanchez, Pogba will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Pogba as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.
Captain - Bonucci
Penalties - Neymar
Free kicks - Neymar
Corners - Wingers
Subs
Losing -
60 Mins - Dybala for Pogba he will be right in behind Aguero and sometimes as a two or getting beyond him
70 Mins - Caldara for Lahm, Caldara will go to CB, Ricardo to LM, with Sanchez on the other side, we will still have plenty muscle in there to allow Neymar to go to the left of a front three.
80 Mins - Sterling for Sanchez last throw of the dice really, extra energy to try and exploit there tiredness.
If this goes to ET then Caldara will go to RB, Ricardo to LB and back to 4231, if at all we go behind again back to the 343
Winning -
70 Mins - Kessie for Pogba he will go to the left of Busquets and we will have a powerful midfield 3
80 Mins - Mendy for Neymar will play LM and will help out defensively as Liverpool go more attacking
85 Mins - Dybala for Aguero
If this goes to ET then Vidal will play a little further up the field.
Drawing
-
70 Mins - Dybala for Pogba
If it is 1-1 or they have the advantage with away goals
Any time after 70 Mbappe for Lahm, Sterling for Sanchez 3 at the back Sterling RM, Mbappe LM and our front 3 of Dybala-Aguero-Neymar
Pens for the sake of it not that I envisage it
Aguero
Neymar
Dybala
Sanchez
Vidal
Ricardo
Mbappe
Bonucci
Busquets
Sterling
Lahm
ASTON VILLA 4-4-2 Uber Attacking Monaco
--------------------- 13. Oblak
24. Conti --- 4. Alderweireld --- 17. Boateng --- 23. Shaw
8. D. Silva --- 14. Bakayoko --- 19. Modric --- 11. Reus
----------- 21. Cavani --- 18. Benzema
SUBS: 1. Chesney, 31. Benatia, 15. Trippier, 6. Strootman, 7. Bernardo, 9. Ibrahimovic, 29. Falcao
Captain: Marco Reus
Corners: Luka Modric
Penalties: Marco Reus
Shooting Free kicks: Marco Reus
Crossing Free kicks: Luka Modric
Already two goals down so we have to give it a go, we go uber attacking Monaco style to make sure we have a fighting chance of winning this tie. There's nothing to lose in this match
Both our full backs will get up and down the pitch to help squeeze their team back. Bakayoko will be our deep midfielder to help protect our defence. Our wide players will have to play slightly more narrow to create an almost diamond in midfield at times to help dominate a Newcastle midfield three. The width will come from the full backs getting far up the pitch. This ensures that it's easier to keep the ball.
When defending, our back four will defend narrow and our midfield will help contain the wide Newcastle players so that our full backs can concentrate on the middle of the pitch. Two banks of four is one of the best ways of defending and we will use that to squeeze space for Newcastle.
In terms of attacking, we have a playmaker out wide in Silva and another attacking player that adds thrust to our attack in Reus. Silva will cut inside at every opportunity and move into the no. 10 position where he operates best, but becomes hard to track for the Newcastle players. Reus will thrust forward with and without the ball and attack directly at their back line. His shooting ability means he can also be a threat from far out. Cavani and Benzema will pin back their back four and give them a lot of work to do. With these roles it means that Modric can play his natural game and control the midfield like a metronome.
SUBS
70 mins: Ibra for Benzema, allows us to be more direct in attacking.
75 mins: Bernardo for David Silva, fresh legs but essentially the same role.
80 mins winning on agg: Strootman for Cavani, three man midfield to see the game out
80 mins getting dumped out on agg: Falcao for Bakayoko, whatever, just attack!
Pens:
Ibra
Reus
Falcao
Cavani
Modric
Bernardo
--------------------- Handanovic
Carvajal ----- Varane ----- Javi.M ---- Ghoulam
-------------------- Fernandinho
-------------- Gundogan --- De Bruyne --------
O.Dembele ------ Lewandowski ----- Mandzukic
Navas, Tah, Guerreiro, Matuidi, Ox, Coman, Perisic
A win in the home leg without conceding so today first and foremost we stay solid defensively and keep numbers behind the ball whilst looking to initiate quick breaks.
4-3-3, possession football. As they will be chasing the game we bring in a extra midfielder, keep the ball on the deck and control the tempo of the game, as they press for possession and bring numbers up, gaps will appear and our creative duo in central midfield can use their vision to exploit.
Our front 3 all very good outlets that will put in a shift defensively whilst using their movement to make themselves outlets for a pass, we shouldn't be afraid to go long at times looking to factor in the height advantage and speed of Dembele.
Carvajal will look to be a little more cautious with roaming forward allowing Ghoulam to bust a gut and support Mandzukic to create overloads, use his pace and get in behind looking for a cut-back into the box.
Defensively, 10 men behind the ball in a rigid structure narrowing passing lanes and man-marking creative influences, working as a unit.
We transition to a 4-1-4-1, two banks of four behind the ball. Fernandinho sits deep and acts as the enforcer playing just ahead of our back 4, looking to pick the ball up from the back and spray it about with zip. The general link from defence to midfield, in terms of defensive responsibility he should man-mark their AM at all times, not give him an inch to influence the game. Lewandowski presses from the front.
Throughout stay organised defensively, condense the middle of the park and bring our wingers back to support our FB's, keep it simple and risk-free.
Subs:
If winning/draw - 70th minute:
Matuidi > Gundogan
Coman > Mandzukic
If losing:
Guerreiro > Ghoulam
Matuidi > Gundogan
Coman > Mandzukic
C - Lewandowski
FK's - KdB/ close - Lewandowski
Corners - KdB/Dembele
Pens - Lewandowski
5-4-1 Direct
On the face of it a defensive formation, but with a team full of pace and power from back to front, our front three, two attacking full backs and two powerful cms we look to exploit Barcadrid's weaknesses.
With more defensive players this will force their attacking players deeper, and see their defenders seek to bring the ball forward leaving them in a position we can expose on the break. Breaking quickly, and going direct our front 3 can combine to get more goals.
We expect the opposition to have more possession at home (seeing we were cheated by the Spanish big boys who were up to their old tricks as always), and so this cover is vital. Having a side that can break, and move forward at pace and expose the spaces and target their fbs who defensively aren't strong will be vital.
Key to this formation working for us is having a back 5 that can start the attacks, with 3 cbs who are great in possession and all posses great pace. The ability of our cbs to step up into midfield, carrying the ball and picking passes is key to this formation.
We will look to target their fbs defensively, get Hazard and Costa running at them. They will have them beat, and the ability to then see us in on goal, or have a set piece to get our big players in the box where we have far more players to target.
In choosing the team we've gone with two powerful cms, who can drive the side forward and break to support the attacks. With the cover of an extra cb behind them, and a cb bringing the ball forward and out from the back, we feel we can use the legs of our cm duo to steam role the opposition. We feel they are lacking here and so have picked a duo to exploit this.
We look to get the ball to our front 3 as quickly as possible. Getting both full backs, and one cm supporting. We will try our luck with accurate long balls from the back, find our front 3 in space.
We defend in a rigid defensive unit behind the ball, the two closest players pressing the ball, the others getting back and pressing the space so that they have no options to break.
------------------------ M.Neuer -------------------------
Danilo --- Ramos --- Koscielny --- Umtiti --- Kurzawa
---------------- Khedira ------ Thomas.P ----------------
Douglas Costa -------------------------------- E.Hazard
---------------------- C.Ronaldo -------------------------
Subs. Zieler, A.Vidal, Vallejo, Verratti, Thiago.A, Vitolo, Rashford
Key to our attack is quick attacking play. Varying our play and how we get the ball to our front three in space.
Defensive press
Defending, in numbers with every attacking player man market, ensuring we can always press the ball while always having spare cbs to cover. By having more defensive players this will force their attacking players deeper, and see their defenders seek to bring the ball forward leaving them in a position we can expose on the break.
We look to control the opposition by pressing the space with a narrow rigid defensive unit, only allowing them to play in areas we want them to. We man mark their wingers and striker. The cms pick up the am, and more attacking cm. This means whichever of the attacking players have the ball they are being pressed. One winger also gets back to defend, picking up the attacking fb.
If both fbs attack, we switch one cb over to mark the winger, and the fb picks up their attacking fb. We only expect to one fb to attack.
In this tight rigid formation, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. The two spare cbs will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, reading any dangers to get across or step forward where required.
Narrowing the play to the side Barcadrid are attacking, pushing them backwards and wide away from danger.
Attack.
Get the ball to our wingers, get them attacking their fbs. We look to get the ball to Hazard and target their rb in particular.
We also feel our cms power will cause their midfield great issues when we are breaking and they will struggle to have the legs to keep up with our duo.
The wingers and Ronaldo have creative freedom in attack to find space, and link up.
Captain: Ramos
Subs.
If winning or drawing after 65 mins bring on Vitolo for Douglas Costa. Fresh pace to get at them.
If winning or drawing after 70 mins bring on Verratti for Thomas. Fresh legs in an important area, importantly a hard worker, but also someone who can put their foot on the ball and help us see the game out.
If winning or drawing after 75 mins bring on Rashford for Ronaldo. Pure pace to get at their tired legs and expose the gaps they leave attacking.
If losing after 55 mins bring on Thiago and Verratti for Thomas and Umtiti. 4-2-3-1.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Rashford for Danilo. 3-5-2.
--------------------Lloris
Gaspar-----Pepe------Godin-----Bertrand
-----------------Casemiro
-----------Radja------------Pjanic
Mane-----------------------------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Hummels, Wendell, Henderson, Ozil, Brandt, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own.
Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
Radja is in today, with the focus on him working with Casemiro and Pjanic using their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, looking to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. when we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player around them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Pjanic takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Casemiro looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him creating less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Radja takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt, he will also occasionally provide the short corner option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Henderson for Radja - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
81 + 85 Mins - Wendell for Firmino and Brandt for Mane - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Ozil for Radja - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing (on aggregate)
70 Mins - Kane, Hummels and Ozil for Bertrand, Casemiro and Gaspar - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.
vs Chelsea
—————————-Courtois
——Christensen——-D.Luiz——-Koulibaly
Azpilicueta——Nzonzi——Gagliardini——Marcelo
—————Pedro———————Koke
—————————Griezmann
Subs: Schmeichel, Tielemans, O.Torres, Williams, Carrasco, Batshauyi, Aubameyang
Captain: David Luiz
Free Kicks: David Luiz/Antoine Griezmann
Corners: Koke
Penalties: Antoine Griezmann
All we need is a draw and a goal today, we’ve set up to be nice and compact and to flood the middle of the field, where Chelsea want to play, we will use the forwards to put a lot of pressure on them when they try and play out from the back, with the rest of the team set up in organised fashion behind them. We’ve gone for an in your face hard working front three but one who have the quick one touch football to unlock Chelsea.
We have to look to make the pitch really narrow today by shuffling the pack out to the vertical zones of the field that Chelsea try to play n, that means if they go wide we set up to box them in on to the touchline and if they try to stay in the middle we drop a blanket over them, lines narrow and compact so there isn’t the room to pass their way through us. The three forwards will be ready to press, triggered if the ball is played to an opponent with his back to goal, or to an opponents who’s tight to the touchline. That means as soon as it goes wide we want Pedro and Griezmann closing right in on him, the WB pushed up slightly to cut out any passes to the winger and Koke on Busquets making sure he’s never an option. When they want to play into the middle, again Koke on Busquets, which will be his job throughout, Pedro ahead of Vidal and Griezmann putting pressure on the ball, if the ball is played to a player with back to goal the three jump on him immediately. Behind them we stay together with Nzonzi and Gagliardini looking to use this to their advantage, it allows them to work in tandem to slow Chelsea attacks down, Gagliardini working tirelessly to press the man on the ball and Nzonzi working to close passing angles down, which will allow the energetic WBs and the two wide CBs, along with the AMs to tuck in and close out all the remaining passing angles, allowing the CMs to do the pressing if the ball gets into the middle third and covering the spaces around them. This leaves Luiz as a sweeper to deal with the Aguero’s movement in behind, looking to bully him out of the game, always putting his body in the way and frustrating him as he tends to do. If we are forced deeper we sit off them, we allow them easier possession and instead focus on making sure all the gaps are shut, Koke and Pedro drop in either side of the CMs to make it a 5-4-1 with Griezmann looking to take up marking duties on Busquets, its key to us getting something stopping him dictating. As soon as any ball is played loosely or to a player with his back to goal we step in and win it back.
If Chelsea go wide we narrow to that side of the field with the WB and the CB on that side able to come out and defend against FB and winger, leaving two CBs to deal with the striker and the WB on the opposite side to tuck in so we always have that spare defender, although he will be focused on the winger looking to make inside runs. In these positions we can simply make things too compact to break through, Nzonzi and Gagliardini closed right in blocking the route out, whilst the forward on that side comes back to press and then act as the link man to the two high forwards who are free of defensive duties, close to the play but in positions where they are focusing on making runs when we win it back rather than trying to get a foot in, unless of course the ball goes back towards where they are.
Like previously said the teams moves up the field as a unit so when we attack the CBs push up too, so we can make it hard for them to break. Koulibaly and Christensen will stretch out slightly so that there are no big gaps left by the WBs pushing up but also in order to get wide CB, WB and AM all down the flank and really stretch the game out, move the ball out to the side so that Chelsea’s press is forced wide and opens up more room for Luiz to drop deeper than the wide CBs and avoid being pressed, giving him more time on the ball when he gets it, looking to fire balls in to the forwards or out into the wide areas. When the ball is moved about we have the option of the wide CBs looking to play the ball to the WB and introduce the overload in wide areas where we feel Chelsea will be most vulnerable, their wingers aren’t hard working and their FBs both suspect defensively, we can run at them and open up gaps that Busquets and Vidal have to try and fill, which lets our two CMs use their power to overcome the remaining central players. Gagliardini is excellent at dragging players out wide with him and this kind of movement will draw CMs out of their comfort zone but also allows for more link up in wide areas, especially looking to bring Marcelo into things. Nzonzi is the more direct, he just loves to carry the ball forward and can pick his passes well, we don’t want these two getting too far apart but they give us a solid platform on and off the ball. The WBs will look to get forward whenever we win the ball, overlapping and stretching the defence out, forcing the opposition FBs backwards into more defensive positions where they can’t counter as quickly and have to play to the weak part of their games. Azpilicueta look to hold a lot of width. Marcelo can get the ball wide and then look to come infield with his trickery or by playing quick passes with the CMs or the attackers, his penetrating runs provide us with something different and a player who is always willing to break from deep to get in behind the opposition backline, where his marker won’t track him and he can get to the byline and pull the ball back. Pedro and Koke play in the half space, neither out wide nor in the hole, they occupy the positions between, roaming where they can effect the game in the way they like, Koke linking midfield to attack and then looking to get into the box to get on the end of balls in/through and Pedro occupying defenders with his trickery and pace, particularly running at Rodriguez as much as possible. We introduce the two AM’s into the spaces between FB and central players where they can overload and bully the players that others are attacking(especially the opposition FBs/WBs in the initial build up phase) or occupy the vacant spaces between lines and players where once they receive the ball they will have time and space to turn which makes these two very dangerous. Griezmann leads the line, his movement will be key, he drops deeper when he wants to link play and get players running off them, he runs wide when he wants to draw CBs out of position and he loves to ghost in behind or into the box unmarked, as he’s not a traditional CF he is very hard to pick up, we didn’t want Bonucci to have an easy man v man battle today!
Subs:
If Winning: Carrasco for Pedro 70’, fresh legs to come in and help keep up our energy levels. Batshauyi and Aubameyang for Koke and Griezmann 80’, late on a front 2 that should detach Chelsea’s defence from the rest of the team, if they keep too high a line they’ll be punished, we can go more direct into Bats and he will find Auba.
If Drawing: Carrasco for Pedro 70’, fresh legs. Aubameyang for Koke 75’, goes up top with Griezmann in behind, pace in behind Chelsea. Tielemans for Gagliardini if extra time, fresh legs in midfield, can defend and find the attack.
If Losing: Aubameyang and Carrasco for Christensen and Gagliardini 65’, 4-4-2. Williams for Pedro 75’, extra pace looking to get at their FB.
If Pens:
1. Antoine Griezmann
2. Marcelo
3. David Luiz
4. Carrasco
5. Pierre Emerik Aubameyang
6. Koke
7. Youri Tielemans
8. Iñaki Williams
9. Steven Nzonzi
10. Andreas Christensen
11. Cesar Azpilicueta
12. Kalidou Koulibaly
13. Thibaut Courtois
Comment deleted by Article Creator
Comment deleted by Article Creator
whoops can you delete that one
--------------------Lloris
Gaspar-----Pepe------Godin-----Bertrand
-----------------Casemiro
-----------Radja------------Pjanic
Mane-----------------------------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Hummels, Wendell, Henderson, Ozil, Brandt, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own.
Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
Radja is in today, with the focus on him working with Casemiro and Pjanic using their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, looking to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. when we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player around them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Pjanic takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Casemiro looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him creating less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Radja takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt, he will also occasionally provide the short corner option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Henderson for Radja - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
85 Mins - Wendell for Bertrand - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Ozil for Radja - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing
70 Mins - Kane, Hummels and Ozil for Bertrand, Casemiro and Gaspar - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.
Penalty Takers in order (if on the pitch)
Suarez
Kane
Pjanic
Ozil
Radja
Henderson
Firmino
Mane
Wendell
------------------------- De Gea -------------------------
P.Lahm ------ Bonucci ------ Manolas ------ Ricardo
------------------------ Busquets ------------------------
------------------Arturo ------- Pogba ------------------
Sterling ---------------------------------------- Neymar
------------------------- Aguero -------------------------
Heaton, Caldara, Mendy, Kessie, Mbappe, Sanchez, Dybala
Another huge game today against a fantastic team but we are on a huge high after winning the league and playing with a lot of confidence, we go in with one change Sterling in for Sanchez but that doesn't stop our quick tempo and free flowing football as we normally play.
In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.
Bonucci in beside Manolas, on this occassion Manolas will man mark the CF. Manolas is a very cultured defender who is quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, powerfully built so marking the CF should be no trouble as he has to man up to him, will keep him away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Bonucci alongside is fantastic in the air, so will mark any other players that come into our danger area, strong in the air and strong in the tackle and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger. A clever player who can intercept attacks very quickly before they begin and he does this with great effect and simply takes the ball away from attackers. He too can carry the ball out from defence but we must be careful and only do this when it is possible. His passing is too top class as he at times plays the simple ball, however his range is fantastic and can quite easily ping a 50 yards pass forward for the front line to chase or take down. Both go up for corners and are a huge threat.
Lahm and Ricardo in at fullback, we must keep the wingers/wingbacks quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas where is dangerous in any position. This is a vital clash in this game. They will be up against quality wingers so look to force him away from goal and backwards. I want them to attack when in no danger (one at a time, dont be left exposed)so time these runs perfectly. One sits back a bit and allowing the other to attack, this is keeping a 3 at the back at all times. Their marking abilities are sound, both have good positional sense and very quick, do not make rash desicions and will stay on their feet. When one goes the other stays as they look to make an extra man down the flank for our wingers to cut inside or play neat one twos to free the wingers up as there fullbacks get dragged out of position. Ricardo will be making these runs more than Lahm which allows Neymar to go more central
We have changed the midfield slightly with Busquets dropping in behind both Vidal and Pogba he is there to stop the main AM getting the ball from midfield to the striker and taking him completely out of the game, he must be right on top of him looking to close him down at the quickest opportunity, let him dictate play and there striker will get plenty chances, we must not let this happen. So quick and into him, fairly and stop this! Busquets himself will look to dictate from deep as he picks up from the defence and looks to drive us forward with precision passing to the players in front of him.
Vidal v the second most advanced midfielder much the same, but obvs when we have the ball he is allowed to move forward and move into dangerous areas where he is best and force there players back, Vidal should have a bit of time to look around him for the pass as he looks to find his team mates with ease. Pass and move always look for the return pass. When they have then close down the CM, he will look to ping the ball about so get to him before that opportunity arises. We have put Pogba in beside Vidal in a role that pretty much puts him against there DM, he must be strong, he is an all round fantastic midfielder,, however he will look to take the DM on one v one drag him about open up spaces for others to drive into, with the ball at feet look to play quick one twos with those around him so he makes the runs into the box looking for that return ball that will get him in on goal. If the ball is played to him with his back to goal hold it up, draw the foul from the DM, if it doesnt come then look to lay it off, look to play the slide pass into Aguero, he must support Aguero as best he can and the two must link up very well, very quickly, Pogba is fantastic in front of goal. All three are good all round midfielders, But Busquets i want to sit in the hole with the two either side when defending. I want our defence and midfield shutting down everything quickly, even if its high up the pitch I want us pressing them all the time, if they have time on the ball they can really hurt us, so we don't give them time on the ball to get it to their dangerous front three. If we can contain Verratti and Thiago especially then their front three wont get many opportunities.
Neymar and Sterling are known for their creativity, speed, and technical ability and are fearless, explosive attacking midfielders who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble. More importantly both scorers of wonderful and important goals. Both technically excellent in limited areas, fast explosive acceleration during the first ten yards. Which more often than not takes them passed defenders and allows them to get into dangerous areas. Always play with there heads up looking for the runs of others to get the ball into there feet. Sterling I want to be a proper winger today and look to drive down the line and keep it to the outside making them come to him, which will leave holes in the centre of the pitch hopefully he will get the ball into. When they have the ball look to stick close to fullbacks/wingbacks and stop them coming forward., Sterling must track the fullback when he has the ball and give Lahm as much assistance as possible. Just track the fullbacks and use pace to get back and in around there faces to stop them becoming a threat. Always be looking for Pogba/Vidal inside as the four make an awesome attack in behind Aguero and a scary proposition for there back line.
Aguero will get plenty chances, he is bang in form, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, however I want to target the slower of the two. Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges..All of our front four/five will be a threat today we must go for it and keep pace with the league leaders. Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Neymar and Sterling, Pogba, Vidal will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Pogba as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.
Captain - Bonucci
Penalties - Neymar
Free kicks - Neymar
Corners - Wingers
Subs
Losing -
65 Mins - Dybala for Pogba, Vidal drops in beside Busquets and Dybala to a more advanced role behind Aguero & Sanchez for Sterling straight swap can hopefully do some damage
83 Mins - Caldara for Lahm, he goes to the right of a back 3, Ricardo to LM in a 4, Neymar goes up top
Caldara-Bonucci-Manolas
Sanchez-Arturo-Sergio-Ricardo
Dybala-Aguero-Neymar
if it goes to ET after this, revert to a back 4231 with Caldara at RB
Winning -
70 Mins - Sanchez for Sterling, fresh legs, helps out defensively as well as being able to push forward
80 Mins - Kessie for Pogba, he and Vidal make a strong midfield 3 with Busquets
85 Mins - Mendy for Neymar plays LM to help out Ricardo against any fresh legs 451
Drawing -
70 Mins - Sanchez for Sterling
80 Mins - Dybala for Pogba, Vidal drops in beside Busquets, Dybala plays at No.10
85 Mins - Mbappe for Aguero
Pens if needed
Neymar
Ricardo
Aguero
Dybala
Sanchez
Mbappe
Bonucci
Vidal
Busquets
Attacking 4-3-3
Being the final, we make no mistake about it and go all out for the win and look to take the game to Chelsea. With a midfield trio capable of dominating possession, that's exactly what we look to do, get Verratti and Thiago coming in fresh in an important area, to link up and control the tempo.
A big game, we look for a big performance from our big players. With great pace in attack we look to hit Chelsea fast, take the game to them starting with a high tempo. Having won the league last weekend they've had a couple big games in less than a week they're more likely to have tired legs and tired heads. Hit them quick and get on top.
Key to our game plan is quick passing moves in the midfield and using our pace out wide. In Verratti and Khedira we have two high tempo players that will give us great energy in midfield, Thiago in front is brilliant at intercepting the play and together give us a solid defensive base to the side. Importantly though, they're all excellent at controlling games.
Khedira is the holding player today, a calming influence in possession keeping it simple but more importantly powerful and intelligent defensively. Verratti looking to pick the ball up from deep and link the defence and attack. Thiago the more advanced playmaker of the trio. Thiago and Verratti together will look to work together to dominate possession.
The midfield should never be flat. Create as many lines as possible to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition. We play with width, stretching the game for our cm trio, one full back bombs forward, with our wingers staying wide until the final third where they have freedom.
We will also try the odd long ball, either direct to Ronaldo or over the top for the pace of our forwards to run on to.
We defend in a rigid defensive unit behind the ball, the two closest players pressing the ball, the others getting back and pressing the space so that they have no options to break.
---------------------- M.Neuer ---------------------
Danilo ----- S.Ramos ---- Umtiti ----- Kurzawa
------------ M.Verratti ----- Khedira ------------
---------------------- Thiago.A ------------------
Douglas Costa -------------------------- E.Hazard
--------------------- C.Ronaldo -------------------
Subs. Zieler, Vallejo, A.Vidal, Bakayoko, Cesc, Vitolo, Rashford
Key to our attack is quick attacking play. Varying our play and how we get the ball to our front three in space.
Defending in numbers
We look to control the opposition by pressing the space with a narrow rigid defensive unit, only allowing them to play in areas we want them to. When we lose the ball the closest player presses the ball, the second closest presses the obvious passing channel. As they’re doing this everyone else bar Ronaldo and the winger opposite play gets behind the play. The winger on the opposite side of play sits on Busquets. Don't give him space or time to get on the ball, take him out the equation and they'll find it a lot harder to build attacks.
In a deep, narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Draw them in to positions where they can’t hurt us, and then try and win the ball back.
As Chelsea advance into higher areas of the park and into our half, our shape will resemble a 4-4-1-1, narrowing to the side of play. In this tight rigid formation, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Khedira will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, reading any dangers to get across.
Narrowing the play to the side Chelsea are attacking, pushing them backwards and wide away from danger. When they switch play, we switch over.
Attack.
The attacking trio have creative freedom in the final third. Simply get the ball to them in space.
Sami and Verratti picking the passes to start the attacks. They take turns to look for space in between the defence and midfield. They both have the ability to link with our front three and be a threat in and around their box.
We want quick one twos in the opposition half. Verratti, Thiago and the wingers will always be looking for the killer ball. If it is not on, we are happy to keep possession, attacking down the wings.
Captain: Ramos
Subs. If winning after 65 mins bring on Vitolo for Douglas Costa. Fresh pace, and a fantastic work rate.
If winning after 75 mins bring on Bakayoko for Verratti. Fresh legs in cm.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Rashford for Ronaldo. Fresh pace up top to hurt them as they push for a winner.
If drawing after 70 mins bring on Cesc for Verratti. Thiago moves to cm role, Cesc more attacking cm.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Vitolo for Douglas Costa.
If extra time after 100 mins bring on A.Vidal for Danilo.
If losing after 60 mins bring on Cesc for Verratti.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Vitolo for Danilo.
If losing after 80 mins bring on Rashford for Thiago.
---------------------- Handanovic
---------- Tah --------- Javi.M ----- Varane
Carvajal ----- Gundogan --- Matuidi -------- Ghoulam
------------ De Bruyne ---------- O.Dembele
--------------------- Lewandowski
Subs: Navas, Alves, Guerreiro, Fernandinho, Perisic, Coman, Mandzukic
Big cup game today, we may have slightly underachieved in the league but this game can define our season and turn it around, we go out and give it our all today, every player stand up and be counted!
We’re not going to allow Newcastle to play, game might be a bit of a borefest but we set-up defensively sound and play to our advantages.
5-4-1, off the ball,
First and foremost we don’t allow Newcastle to play out easy from the back and build attacks, our 3 attackers press from the front and we cover passing lanes into midfield. Lewandowski dropping deep and occupying the route to their CB’s, Dembele and De Bruyne wide. Martinez steps out and into a deep CDM role making a midfield 3 with our WG-backs on their wingers, Varane on their ST.
Cut out passing lanes in close proximity as the closest attacker to the ball goes to press, force them wide and with their backs to goal. Nip in and force errors.
If they go long we we are well equipped to contest aerial duels, we feel they lack any sort of target man or aerial presence. If they manage to play out we then get numbers behind the ball and work as a collective unit to press the space and man on the ball.
Key today is structure and organisation, 11 men behind the ball with a rigid structure only allowing them to play where we want them too, importance on:
1) man-marking creative attackers to restrict their influence
2) condensing the size of the pitch and staying close to their players
3) forcing them into playing and thinking quickly in mf zones
4) Using 'banks' and getting numbers behind the ball, pressing the opposition player in possession and forcing their attackers to come deep in order to receive the ball.
Defending deep in a compact unit is one thing but in midfield is where we need to press with great intent, essentially stopping their mf will ensure that the supply to their attack is largely kept to a minimum.
In this case (when we are off the ball) we want Lewandowski to drop deeper than usual and occupy their CDM working in a trio (with Matuidi and Gundogan), stop him from playing the pivot role and ensure they can’t play the pass back to him if their other midfielders are being vicariously pressed.
Matuidi and Gundogan then press the midfielders infront, Matuidi given the role of man-marking their most creative outlet looking to use more of his physical prowess and workrate to not give him an inch, notably time or space on the ball to pick a pass. Gundogan will look to do a similar job if they play a mf 3, covering ground and in short working as a pack of wolves in a trio to stop the opposition from playing.
As we put a stop to their midfield our wing-backs then become very important to the side, defensive duties are priority first and foremost to allow us to create a bank of 5 at the back and squeeze.
Key is leaving no gaps or space to get in behind, working as a staunch unit so their quick attackers have to come deeper to get involved making their first point of contact with the ball much deeper than they anticipated and notably away from our final third.
De Bruyne and Dembele then should get back on the flanks to work numerical advantages and work with our WG-backs to prevent the danger. Don’t allow them to cut in or work opportunities infield.
If they bring up their FB’s to create 2-2 situation, our FB is tasked with keeping their wingers wide whilst our wingers go with their FB’s to man-mark. Keeping them wide is essential as even if they do manage to get delivery into the box we have 3 CB’s very comfortable in the air, alert to any danger.
When their attackers are faced with the task to come deeper and receive the ball, we should be more aggressive and look to put our foot in. We shouldn't be afraid to commit little fouls, stop any fluidity to the play and put a stop to the tempo of the game, don’t allow their wingers to run at us and frustrate them with constant breaks to the play.
Defenisvely, essential to the side is quick players that can cover ground, Tah and Varane, Carvajal and Ghoulam at the back and our midfielders and attackers. Work as a side and don't give them any space to play in, force risk.
Attacking wise, 3-4-3,
We expect to do our fair share of defending today but we have a side who are very good in possession when we are on the ball, allows us a breather as they chase our shadows.
Martinez, Matuidi and Gundogan having pass success rates of more than 90% this season and Carvajal, Ghoulam and Varane in the high 80’s, add the creativity of KdB, pace of Dembele and goals of Lewandowski we are more than capable of breaking this Newcastle side down.
When a quick counter is not on and they get numbers behind the ball, we will look to play a patient but penetrative passing game. At times Martinez can step out into mf and get his foot on the ball or come short and collect from Handanovic, our CB’s either side will look to shuffle wider allowing our WG-backs to get forward.
Gundogan and Matuidi will look to sit deep and spread the play, pass and receive looking for the movement of the attackers ahead. Both very good on the ball if they are being vigorously pressed they know the next pass on before they receive the ball, good at working in restrictive space also, Matuidi especially with the power he possesses.
Our AM’s will look to play slightly wider today looking to attack their FB’s as this is probably their biggest weakness. One WG-back at a time comes to support looking to overlap as the other sits nearer the halfway line on the opposite side, force their wingers back throughout the game to help out their fullbacks ensuring they are less of a threat going forward.
Lewandowski play his natural game, occupy the CB’s and make himself an outlet. He doesn’t need many chances to score so always on his toes and look to score when he gets the chance.
Counter attacking wise, we look to target the gaps they have left by bringing players up to join their attacks. Looking to target the flanks in particular, Dembele is a real speedy outlet that will have the beating of his FB more often than not.
Carvajal and Ghoulam integral to how we play on the break. I want our central midfield duo to sit in and remained disciplined allowing our fullbacks to burst forward and stretch the opposition, both very quick on their feet and great delivery into the box.
One of the advantages of our side is we have creative players that can transition our side from defence to attack within seconds, a pass from De Bruyne or the pace of Dembele, create numerical overloads and hit them hard.
Always keep numbers back in case of an opposition counter, 3 very good CB’s at the back who are all very quick on their feet, Martinez man-marks their ST, others beside watch for runners from deep.
C - Lewandowski
FK's - KdB/ close - Lewandowski
Corners - KdB/Gundogan
Pens - Lewandowski
If winning – (3-4-3)
70th minute: Fernandinho > Matuidi – Extra steel in mf
80th minute: Mandzukic > KdB - Big outlet going forward, allows us to counter or get out
85th minute: Guerreiro > Ghoulam
If losing – (3-4-3 – wide)
Alves > Carvajal – 75th minute – Alves look to stretch them
Coman > KdB – 75th minute – Dembele and Coman wide, Alves and Ghoulum overlap, hit them hard down the flanks.
If draw >
75th minute – Guerreiro > Ghoulam
85th minute - Mandzukic > KdB
Extra time – Coman > Dembele
Like for like changes, freshen up the side looking to win the game.
Pens:
Decided on day, depending who’s on and who goes off
Sign in if you want to comment
Europe
Page 6 of 19
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
posted on 5/4/17
--------------------Lloris
Gaspar-----Pepe-----Godin-----Bertrand
----------Casemiro-------Pjanic
Mane-------------Ozil------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Matip, Wendell, Krychowiak, Radja, Di Maria, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own. Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
The focus of the midfield 2 will be to use their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, working in collaboration with Ozil to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. When we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Ozil takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Casemiro looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him to create less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Pjanic takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt and occasionally providing the short option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Radja for Ozil - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
81 + 85 Mins - Krych for Casemiro and Wendell for Bertrand - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Radja for Casemiro - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing
70 Mins - Matip, Kane and Radja for Bertrand, Casemiro and Clyne - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.
posted on 5/4/17
PSG 0 (0) v (2) 2 Fl Milan
Locatelli, Dzeko
MOTM - Locatelli
Milan win 4-0 on Agg
AS Rovenli 0 (0) v (0) 2 Portsmouth
Lewandowski(KDB), Dembele
MOTM Dembele
Portsmouth win 2-0 on Agg
Bayer Dortmund 0(0) v (0)2 Newcastle
Suarez x 2(Firmino, Ozil)
Motm Firmino
Newcastle win 2-0 On Agg
Aston Villa 2(2) v (0)0 Arsenal
Zlatan x 2
MOTM Zlatan Aston Villa win 4-0 on Agg
posted on 5/4/17
Portsmouth v Milan
Aston Villa v Newcastle
posted on 18/4/17
Balanced 4-3-3
Key to our game plan today, is quick passing moves in the midfield and using our pace out wide. In Verratti and Khedira we have two high tempo players that will give us great energy in midfield, Thiago in front is brilliant at intercepting the play and together give us a solid defensive base to the side. Importantly though, they're all excellent at controlling games.
Vitolo on the right wing brings natural width on the right and most importantly someone that will work hard. We feel he brings more balance to our side as we look to get the best out of Hazard and Ronaldo. Looking to stretch the game to create space for our midfield.
Khedira is the holding player today, a calming influence in possession keeping it simple but more importantly powerful and intelligent defensively. Verratti looking to pick the ball up from deep and link the defence and attack. Thiago the more advanced playmaker of the trio. Thiago and Verratti together will look to work together to dominate possession.
The midfield should never be flat. Create as many lines as possible to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition. Our wide attackers, and the attacking fb look to give us width and stretch the game.
We will also try the odd long ball, either direct to Ronaldo or over the top for the pace of our forwards to run on to.
We defend in a rigid defensive unit behind the ball, the two closest players pressing the ball, the others getting back and pressing the space so that they have no options to break.
---------------- Neuer
Danilo- S.Ramos – Otamendi - Kurzawa
--------- Verratti – Khedira
--------------- Thiago.A
Vitolo ---------------------- Hazard
-------------- C.Ronaldo
Subs. Zieler, Umtiti, A.Vidal, Cesc, Kranevitter, Douglas Costa, Diego Costa
Key to our attack is quick attacking play. Varying our play and how we get the ball to our front three in space.
Defending in numbers
We look to control the opposition by pressing the space with a narrow rigid defensive unit, only allowing them to play in areas we want them to. When we lose the ball the closest player presses the ball, the second closest presses the obvious passing channel. As they’re doing this everyone else bar Hazard and Ronaldo gets behind the ball into position. Stop them breaking.
In a deep, narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Draw them in to positions where they can’t hurt us, and then try and win the ball back.
As Barcadrid advance into higher areas of the park and into our half, our shape will resemble a 4-4-1-1, narrowing to the side of play. Thiago moves to the left to track Bellerin if he gets forward. Hazard and Ronaldo ahead of two walls of four ready to expose any space they leave on the counter.
In this tight rigid formation, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Khedira will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, reading any dangers to get across.
Narrowing the play to the side Barcadrid are attacking, pushing them backwards and wide away from danger. When they switch play, we switch over.
Attack.
Get the ball to our wingers, get them attacking their fbs.
Sami and Verratti picking the passes to start the attacks. They take turns to look for space in between the defence and midfield. They both have the ability to link with our front three and be a threat in and around their box.
We want quick one twos in the opposition half. Verratti, Thiago and the wingers will always be looking for the killer ball. If it is not on, we are happy to keep possession, attacking down the wings.
Ronaldo has freedom to play his natural game and get the goals.
Captain: Ramos
Subs.
If winning after 65 mins bring on Douglas Costa for Vitolo. Fresh pace to get at them as Barcadrid will be looking to attack.
If winning after 70 mins bring on Diego Costa for Ronaldo. Bully their tired defenders.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Kranevitter for Verratti. Fresh legs.
If drawing after 65 mins bring on Diego Costa and Douglas Costa for Ronaldo and Vitolo. Fresh attack.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Kranevitter for Verratti to dm. Give attackers more freedom.
If losing after 55 mins bring on Diego Costa for Verratti. 4-2-3-1. Hazard behind Costa, Ronaldo left.
If losing after 60 mins bring on Douglas Costa for Vitolo.
posted on 19/4/17
--------------------Lloris
Clyne-----Pepe-----Godin-----Bertrand
----------Krychowiak-----Radja
Mane-------------Ozil------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Matip, Wendell, Casemiro, Tolisso, Di Maria, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own. Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
The focus of the midfield 2 will be to use their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, working in collaboration with Ozil to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. When we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Ozil takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Krychowiak looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him to create less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Radja takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt and occasionally providing the short option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Tolisso for Ozil - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
81 + 85 Mins - Casemiro for Krych and Wendell for Bertrand - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Radja for Casemiro - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing
70 Mins - Matip, Kane and Tolisso for Bertrand, Krych and Clyne - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers.
posted on 19/4/17
comment by JustYourAverageFan (U21016)
posted on 20/12/16
--------------------------Cillissen---------------------
---S. Roberto-----Pique-----T. Silva----Alba------
---------------Macherano------Saul------------------
-------Isco----------------Iniesta-----------Bale-----
----------------------------Messi-----------------------
Subs: Moya, Gimenez, Mathieu, Gabi, Manquillo, Vela, Torres.
Team with a great amount of quality to it. A fantastic spine with experience, energy and creativity. The main game plan is to have our side dominate possession and look to get the ball forward quickly with atacking, fluid football. Mascherano will drop into CB when we have the ball to allow Sergi Roberto and Alba the license to really bomb on down the flanks and Saul as the engine creator in midfield. The front 4 must use all of their creativity, movement and shift the ball quickly in gaps to open up the opposition defence.
Cillissen is an excellent shot stopper and with the use of his feet too. Must look to distrbiute to the centre backs, organise and trust their ability on the ball. As said, Masherano drops into CB along with Pique and Thiago Silva as they build from the back with them 3 in possession of the ball. Sergi Roberto and Alba now have the license to go forward and really squeeze their wingers back and make a link with Isco and Bale out on the flanks. They defend with rigidity and minimise all the gaps in behind and between the lines.
Saul is at the base of the midfield when they have the ball. He looks to use his energy and creativity and link the play up as much as possible. He needs to receive the ball from the defenders always creating an option for them and he needs to find a pass into the more attacking players or the full backs in wider areas advancing. Isco, Iniesta and Bale are the forward midfielders, must link everything together and exploit all the gaps. Isco has the license to roam inside with Sergi Roberto providing the width out wide on the right hand side so Isco can come and play through the middle. Iniesta floats and roams and looks for the right moment to pick a right pass. Bale really gets forward and looks to get a 1v1 with his man and use his explosive pace to get round him and work the ball into the area.
Messi is at the tip of the attack. With his ability, there is no limit as to what this side can produce. Must be making himself hard to mark and pick up and really needs to create and get into goalscoring areas where he is his biggest threat. Always playing on the floor and looking to link with the midfield to get in behind the defence and into the box as much as possible where the team will score goals.
Subs:
Gabi for Saul (70 mins)
Torres for Iniesta (75 mins - Isco AM, Messi RW)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 19/4/17
-------------------- De Gea ----------------------
Bellerin --- Bonucci --- Manolas --- B.Mendy
--------------- Arturo --- Sergio ----------------
Sanchez ------------ Alli -------------- Neymar
-------------------- Aguero ----------------------
Heaton, Fabinho, Henrichs, Benteke, Pogba, Mbappe, Dybala
Huge game but we are up for this, they have a fantastic team who will be nipping at our toes so we must play our usual quick, one touch, passing, looking for gaps to run into making ourselves available. When they have we press as a team and give them no time at all.
In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.
Bonucci in beside Manolas, on this occassion Manolas will man mark the CF. Manolas is a very cultured defender who is quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, powerfully built so marking the CF should be no trouble as he has to man up to him, will keep him away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Bonucci alongside is fantastic in the air, so will mark any other players that come into our danger area, strong in the air and strong in the tackle and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger. A clever player who can intercept attacks very quickly before they begin and he does this with great effect and simply takes the ball away from attackers. He too can carry the ball out from defence but we must be careful and only do this when it is possible. His passing is too top class as he at times plays the simple ball, however his range is fantastic and can quite easily ping a 50 yards pass forward for the front line to chase or take down. Both go up for corners and are a huge threat.
Bellerin and Mendy at fullback, we must keep the wingers quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas where is dangerous in any position. This is a vital clash in this game. They will be up against quality wingers so look to force him away from goal and backwards. I want them to attack when in no danger (one at a time, dont be left exposed)so time these runs perfectly. One sits back a bit and allowing the other to attack, this is keeping a 3 at the back at all times. Their marking abilities are sound, both have good positional sense and very quick, do not make rash desicions and will stay on their feet. When one goes the other stays as they look to make an extra man down the flank for our wingers to cut inside or play neat one twos to free the wingers up as there fullbacks get dragged out of position.
We have a very industrious pairing in the middle, Busquets to stop the AM getting the ball from midfield to the striker, he must be right on top of him looking to close him down at the quickest opportunity, let him dictate play and there striker will get plenty chances, we must not let this happen. So quick and into him, fairly and stop this! Busquets himself will look to dictate from deep as he picks up from the defence and looks to drive us forward with precision passing. Vidal v the second most advanced midfielder much the same, but obvs when we have the ball he is allowed to move forward and move into dangerous areas where he is best and force there players back, Vidal should have a bit of time to look around him for the pass as he looks to find his team mates with ease. Pass and move always look for the return pass. When they have then close down the CM, he will look to ping the ball about so get to him before that opportunity arises. We have put Dele Alli in a No.10 role against there DM he must be strong, he is an all round fantastic midfielder,, however he will look to take the DM on one v one drag him about open up spaces for others to drive into, with the ball at feet look to play quick one twos with those around him so he makes the runs into the box looking for that return ball that will get him in on goal. If the ball is played to him with his back to goal hold it up, draw the foul from the DM, if it doesnt come then look to lay it off, look to play the slide pass into Aguero, he must support Aguero as best he can and the two must link up very well, very quickly, Alli is fantastic in front of goal, I think his record speaks for itself. All three are good all round midfielders, But Busquets i want to sit in the hole with the two either side when defending. I want our defence and midfield shutting down everything quickly, even if its high up the pitch, we don't give them time on the ball to get it to their dangerous front three.
Neymar and Sanchez are known for their creativity, speed, and technical ability and are fearless, explosive attacking midfielders who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble. More importantly both scorers of wonderful and important goals. Both technically excellent in limited areas, fast explosive acceleration during the first ten yards. Which more often than not takes them passed defenders and allows them to get into dangerous areas. Always play with there heads up looking for the runs of others to get the ball into there feet. Sanchez I want to be a proper winger today and look to drive down the line and keep it to the outside making them come to him, which will leave holes in the centre of the pitch hopefully he will get the ball into. When they have the ball look to stick close to fullbacks/wingbacks and stop them coming forward especially Marcelo, Sanchez must track him when he has the ball. Just track the fullbacks and use pace to get back and in around there faces to stop them becoming a threat. Always be looking for Alli inside as the four make an awesome quartet in behind Aguero and a scary proposition for there slowish back line.
Aguero will get plenty chances, hat trick last week so bang in form, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, however I want to target the slower of the two. Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges..All of our front four/five will be a threat today we must go for it and keep pace with the league leaders. Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Neymar and Sanchez, Alli will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Alli as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.
Captain - Bonucci
Penalties - Neymar
Free kicks - Neymar
Corners - Wingers
Subs
Losing
65 Mins - Fabinho for Alli,, Busquets drops to play CB as he has done before, Fabinho takes up the DM role, Bellerin and Mendy become wingbacks in a 343 formation
75 Mins - Benteke for Aguero and Dybala for Sanchez, Benteke a focal point in the attack with Dybala and Neyamar buzzing around him
Winning -
75 Mins - Fabinho for Alli, sit in alongside Vidal and Busquets
80 Mins - Dybala for Aguero, Mbappe for Neymar
Drawing -
70 Mins - Dybala for Alli sit in at No.10
80 Mins - Mbappe for Neymar
posted on 19/4/17
————————Courtois
Azpilicueta——Luiz——Koulibaly——Marcelo
——Pedro—Gagliardini—Rakitic——Koke
————Aubameyang—Griezmann
Subs: K.Schmeichel, A.Christensen, V.Moses, L.Baker, Y.Fereira-Carrasco, B.Traore, E.Unal.
Captain: David Luiz
Free Kicks: David Luiz/Ivan Rakitic/Antoine Griezmann
Corners: Koke/Ivan Rakitic
Penalties: Pierre Emerik Aubameyang
Big game today, we have to negate their space and force them to commit forward and leave space for us to attack.
Intense pressing system from the start, whenever the ball is lost higher up we are in their faces. The strikers will push right up on to the CBs, pressing them quickly and making sure they don’t have time to weigh up their options, with the winger on the side of attack quick to make it 3 pressing and the other winger tucking in to give us 3 in midfield, use this 6 to quickly box Chelsea in, rush their defenders on the ball by closing the lanes to the midfield quickly, force them wide or into risky passes to forwards, trying to win the ball back quickly to attack them higher up.
If they beat this phase of pressing we will drop deep, everyone back behind the ball. The strikers must be quick to drop in, shut off passing lanes to and from Busquets, make sure they can’t go through him in any phase of the attack. The midfield and defensive lines push in and narrow very quickly, 2 banks of four, giving us a 10 vs 6 and forcing them, if they haven’t already had to go out to the FBs, to now do so. We won’t be aggressive when defending deeper in the middle third of the field, stick to our 4-4-2 and look after the passing lanes, make sure the ball can’t be played forward and that the attackers off the ball and close down rather than the man on the ball, concede space to the man in possession as he will be forced instead to pass it to someone marked, or pass wide. When a ball is played to a player with his back to goal, or the pass is slightly misplaced we hound that man and look to get the ball back, we have such a compact team that whenever this happens we always have 2-3 players who can hound quickly.
When the ball moves wide we compact into that third, defence and midfield closing around the opposition area of build up in order to trap them and continue our high pressure, aggressive pressing. In these wide areas we must be aggressive. If they go out to Mendy and Neymar then three players immediately press the ball, Pedro and Azpilicueta get right in the face of either FB/winger so he can’t pass forward/back to the other and Gagliardini comes across to help the press and make sure they can’t get it into the middle, with Koke and Rakitic taking up CM positions, forwards back to virtually make it 4 v 3 in midfield and the rest of the defence forming a back 3 that narrows to this side of the field and stops any crosses. The same happens with the left sided players when Chelsea go down their right, and in the unlikely event of a perfect cross field pass, we reshuffle quickly.
Attacks start where we win the ball so we will already have numbers in position to quickly transition the ball forward and this should be done looking to attack the wide areas, either with quick balls out to our wide men, or into the strikers, one moving wide into the vacant space on the side of the opposition’s failed attack, dragging out a CB to help him and isolating the remaining CB with Auba/Griezmann, or dragging out Busquets and opening up room for our midfielders to take hold of the game. We keep a back 3 when we attack for two reasons. Firstly we want Marcelo to have a free license, he can hold plenty of width on the left and look to get behind the FB for FBs or into crossing positions, either from deep or the byline, which also allows Koke inside to give us an overload in the middle, but he can also make runs through the middle, using his burst of pace that our AMs don’t really possess, this switches the attacks up and makes it difficult to mark, when he does this Koke goes wider to keep things stretched. Secondly, 3 at the back makes us harder to press as we push more players forward and keep our 3 remaining defenders stretched out, Azpi and Koulibaly pushed up and wider, Luiz deeper at the base of a triangle that works at getting the ball quickly to the wide attackers or back to Luiz who can play more direct balls to the forwards. Gagliardini will position himself behind midfield and attack, he is selected for his excellent power and height as well as his in your face style that will help us press and deal with Pogba/Alli but also on the ball he is very calm, positioned just behind attacks, he keeps things ticking. Koke and Rakitic have a lot of freedom, play as 8’s or as wide men, so when Marcelo/Pedro pushes infield, the CM on that side goes wide to keep balance, and likewise if they join the attack line, one attacker must drop back to the midfield line. They roam wherever they can get overloads, either with the wide attackers or with the two forwards, use their excellent engines and passing to find the spaces. Pedro plays as the wide forward on the right, much like Marcelo he has great pace and ability to beat a man, with the added bonus that his out to in runs between FB and CB are so dangerous, look to lead breakouts as well as finish them. Its pivotal we get at their FBs today and test their defensive positioning. Griezmann is everything you want in a striker, he drops deep, he goes wide, he runs behind, he finds the gaps and works in tandem with Aubameyang who will lead the line as our goal getter, running behind and wide, using his pace to attack the opposition.
Subs:
If Winning: Carrasco for Aubameyang 70’, higher work rate off the ball, he and Griezmann know their roles in stopping the DM dictating play. Moses for Pedro 75’, fresh legs and a excellent burst of pace to help us break out if on the back foot, with the added bonus that we can become a back 5 if Chelsea go two up front and defend in a 5-4-1 with Carrasco dropping to RM. Christensen for Rakitic 85’, slots in as an out and out DM, high energy to give us the legs we need in midfield.
If Drawing: Carrasco for Pedro 70’, like for like, fresh legs. Moses for Koke 75’, swap with Carrasco, his added pace and energy can change a game late on against tiring FBs, whilst if we come under serious pressure we can go to 5 at the back. Bertrand Traore for Aubameyang 80’, just a bit of something different, looks to run at players rather than run in behind, cause a bit of confusion whenever we get them on the back foot.
If Losing: Change to a 3-4-3 with Pedro as an advanced WB, Carrasco replaces Koke 60’, gives us another really director runner. Unal for Pedro 70’, Carrasco WB, Unal comes on up top and we look to play longer balls into him, get Aubemeyang running behind him up against the two CBs and Unal in the hole behind, winning the aerial duels and bringing us into the game. Christensen for Koulibaly 75’, gives us 3 CBs who can play the longer passes, really bombard them, get them on the back foot and push up as a unit.
posted on 19/4/17
Liverpool 0 - 0 Chelsea
Scorers:
MotM: Marcelo
A very interesting tactical battle resulted in a first leg that leaves everything to play for on the 26th. Liverpool will be buoyed by the fact that their extremely well organised defence can hold out the breathtaking Chelsea attack but Chelsea, in turn, will be elated at having everything to gain at their own ground. The 2nd leg of this tie will be very interesting!
Leicester 2-1 Barcadrid
Scorers: Ronaldo x2 (Thiago, Pen); Bale (Messi)
MotM: Khedira
While Ronaldo may have been the match winner with his brace, it was Khedira's discipline and intelligence at the base of the midfield that was the catalyst for a Leicester victory.
posted on 20/4/17
Aston Villa 0 - 2 Newcastle
Suarez(Firmino)
Firmino(Radja)
MOTM - Firmino
posted on 20/4/17
FioInter Milan
4-5-1 Counter
First and foremost we want to be difficult to beat. We have gone with a majority of Italian players, bring it back to Catenaccio. Miranda is the free cb, sweeping. As the other 3 defenders man mark the likely 3 Newcastle attackers (striker and wingers). Motta using his intelligence to sit, and sweep in between the defence and midfield.
Pastore and Bonaventura’s dribbling ability will be important in beating Newcastle higher up the pitch. In defence, not allowing them to counter, and allowing us to get back in to position.
When the opposition have the ball. We defend deep, everyone behind the ball bar Dzeko. Motta sweeps in front of the defence, with Loca and Ramires going man for man with their more attacking cms. The winger opposite play looks to come narrow, sit in front of their dm. Stopping a pass, and in a position to break on the side of play or to get back and help the defence if needed.
We defend in this unit. Man for man with three players spare covering the central zones. Dzeko remains free up top.
------------ Donnarumma
Abate -– A.Rami –- Miranda -- Santon
----- Ramires – T.Motta – Locatelli
Pastore ------------------ Bonaventura
--------------- E.Dzeko
Subs. Sportiello, B.Peres, Tello, Gervinho
Looking to defend as a unit and attack on the break. Dzeko offers someone who we can go long to, while we’ll also look for diagonals/long balls to the wide players. Locatelli and Motta will be the players looking to come deep, collect the ball, and set us on the attack.
Down the wings we have pace and great energy, and in the central midfield trio we have a mix of everything. Locatelli and Ramires offer the ability to pick passes going forward, while Ramires’s drive and energy will be important going forward and in defence. Motta will be the most defensive of the trio, using his intelligence and positioning to sit in front of the defence. Locatelli has freedom to join the attack and create.
When we attack we look to attack narrow, Pastore and Bonaventura come inside, looking for space in between the midfield and defence. We want them to support and play off Dzeko as much as possible. Look to overload them in this area with Ramires and Locatelli supporting. Locatelli and Bonaventura offering the Italian flair going forward. Pastore offering an Argie no.10 in the mix too.
Set pieces will also be important, likes of Miranda, Motta joining Dzeko in the box for all corners and free kicks. Bonaventura on set pieces.
Viva Italia!
If winning after 65 mins bring on Lapadula for Pastore. More Italians. Great work ethic and pace.
If winning after 70 mins bring on Tello for Bonaventura and Peres for Locatelli. Pure pace as game opens up.
If drawing after 65 mins bring on Lapadula for Ramires. Bonaventura to cm. More pace in attack.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Tello for Pastore. More pace.
If losing after 60 mins bring on Peres and Lapadula for Pastore and Loactelli. 4-4-2. Peres RM, Lapadula up top with Dzkeo.
If losing after 75 mins bring on Gervinho for Abate. 3-4-3. Aim for his forehead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 20/4/17
---------------------- Handanovic
---------- Varane ----- Javi.M ----- Laporte
Carvajal ----- Gundogan --- Matuidi -------- Ghoulam
------------ De Bruyne ---------- O.Dembele
--------------------- Lewandowski
Subs: Navas, Guerreiro, Rabiot, Fernandinho, Coman, Martial, Mandzukic
Europa League S/Finals,
3-4-3. possession based looking to attack the flanks, pass and move with a high intensity and tempo, runners providing options on and off the ball as we overload the play either side and get them running after shadows.
Today we defend as a unit and attack as a unit, structured and narrowing passing lanes in defence to enforce errors whilst creating overloads in attack within a instance, as many if not more attackers getting forward then they have defenders.
Carvajal and Ghoulam integral to how we play. I want our central midfield duo to sit in and remained disciplined allowing our fullbacks to burst forward and stretch the opposition when attacking.
Stretching them is key today, allows for our creative outlets to operate more freely in central areas, if they stifle the mf we are more then capable of playing Dembele/KdB as more traditional out and out wingers, cutting inside and working with our FB's to provide the width.
With our CM's sitting in providing a base and three CB's at the back, it gives our attackers the flexibility to get forward whilst we remain solid at the back, in short giving us a great balance and fluidity to our play.
It starts with Handanovic at the back, very good with his hands and feet. Fast and precise with his distribution to ensure we are controlling possession and initiating attacks quickly.
Quick and nimble CB’s either side of Martinez, stay tight at the back and makes themselves available for pass. At times Martinez can step out and get his foot on the ball or come short and collect from Handanovic, looking to thread a ball through to the midfielders/flanks or simple long ball over the top looking for Lewandowski to hold up play and bring others into the game.
Our wing-backs stay wide, looking to link with our midfielders and stretching the opposition. When our mf'ers are on the ball we need to give them as much passing options as possible, create lines and pass and move with the aim of getting it into our attackers pronto, overlap consistently on the flanks and work opportunities infield.
Offensively, our midfielders sit deep and spread the play at a quick tempo, patient but penetrative. The duo provide a shield, if they are being vigorously pressed they know the next pass on before they receive the ball, good at working in restrictive space also. Matuidi at times maraud and use his burst of energy to get us moving forward, very physical and able to shield the ball in tight areas.
Defensively, need to oppress their midfielders and not allow them to adventure forward, roam or pick a pass in space. Matuidi and Gundogan need to work their socks off and cover every blade of grass, high on stamina. Man-mark, If they want to find an attacker make sure it is with a high degree of risk of losing possession, if they move the ball backwards, we re-organise and repeat as a well organised unit.
Off the ball, we revert to more of a defensive structured unit. Lewa, KdB and O.Dembele pressing from the front and as a unit behind we cut out passing lanes and man-mark their most creative outlets.
When they enter our half, 10 players behind the ball and press with high intensity. When we press, press as a unit. High workrate, organisation and aggression, cut off the supply going forward by pressing the space and only allow them to play where we want them to. Man-mark and allow little time on the ball for their more creative based players to dictate or create.
Our structure and unit behind the ball should enforce the opposition to take risk as they press to find an attacker, allowing us to take advantage and transition to counter when we regain possession.
Throughout we should frustrate them with our organisation, stay rigid and allow their attackers little involvement in the game so they have to come deeper to get involved, make them play in front of us and ensure we prevent runs in behind as much as possible.
In mf/attack we need to counter their press especially in central areas, diamond in midfield with Martinez dropping anchor playing slightly ahead of the other two CB's when on the ball, passing in triangles and using high energy, distribute and get them running after our shadows. The longer we are on the ball, the more they will tire as the game progresses and the more time we get to take a breather from defending.
Service out from the back, put them off their organisation with diagonal balls over the top into feet, switch the play quickly and allow the attackers to run into space.
Lewandowski strong as an outlet, strong support from attackers. Link constantly with teammates and run in-behind, dominate the CB's aerially and press from the front.
Subs:
70th minute - If winning - (3-4-3)
Rabiot > Matuidi
Mandzukic > KdB
Coman > Dembele (84th minute)
70th minute – if draw - (3-5-2 )
Guerreiro > Ghoulam
Mandzukic > KdB
Martial > O.Dembele (77th minute)
70th minute - If losing (4-4-2 - direct)
Mandzukic > Laporte
Coman > KdB
Guerreiro > Ghoulam
C – Lewandowski
FK’s – De Bruyne / near - Lewandowski
Corners – Gundogan/ De Bruyne
Pens – Lewandowski
posted on 24/4/17
------------------------ DeGea -----------------------
P.Lahm ----- Bonucci ----- Manolas ----- Ricardo
---------------- Arturo ------- Sergio ----------------
Sanchez -------------- Pogba -------------- Neymar
------------------------ Aguero -----------------------
Heaton, Mendy, Caldara, Kessie, Mbappe, Sterling, Dybala
Huge game but we are up for this but we are full of confidence after just clinching the title, they have a fantastic team who will be nipping at our toes so we must play our usual quick, one touch, passing, looking for gaps to run into making ourselves available. When they have we press as a team and give them no time at all.
In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.
Bonucci in beside Manolas, on this occassion Manolas will man mark the CF. Manolas is a very cultured defender who is quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, powerfully built so marking the CF should be no trouble as he has to man up to him, will keep him away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Bonucci alongside is fantastic in the air, so will mark any other players that come into our danger area, strong in the air and strong in the tackle and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger. A clever player who can intercept attacks very quickly before they begin and he does this with great effect and simply takes the ball away from attackers. He too can carry the ball out from defence but we must be careful and only do this when it is possible. His passing is too top class as he at times plays the simple ball, however his range is fantastic and can quite easily ping a 50 yards pass forward for the front line to chase or take down. Both go up for corners and are a huge threat.
Lahm and Ricardo in at fullback, we must keep the wingers/wingbacks quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas where is dangerous in any position. This is a vital clash in this game. They will be up against quality wingers so look to force him away from goal and backwards. I want them to attack when in no danger (one at a time, dont be left exposed)so time these runs perfectly. One sits back a bit and allowing the other to attack, this is keeping a 3 at the back at all times. Their marking abilities are sound, both have good positional sense and very quick, do not make rash desicions and will stay on their feet. When one goes the other stays as they look to make an extra man down the flank for our wingers to cut inside or play neat one twos to free the wingers up as there fullbacks get dragged out of position. Ricardo will be making these runs more than Lahm which allows Neymar to go more central
We have a very industrious pairing in the middle, Busquets to stop the main AM getting the ball from midfield to the striker, he must be right on top of him looking to close him down at the quickest opportunity, let him dictate play and there striker will get plenty chances, we must not let this happen. So quick and into him, fairly and stop this! Busquets himself will look to dictate from deep as he picks up from the defence and looks to drive us forward with precision passing. Vidal v the second most advanced midfielder much the same, but obvs when we have the ball he is allowed to move forward and move into dangerous areas where he is best and force there players back, Vidal should have a bit of time to look around him for the pass as he looks to find his team mates with ease. Pass and move always look for the return pass. When they have then close down the CM, he will look to ping the ball about so get to him before that opportunity arises. We have put Pogba in a No.10 role against there DM he must be strong, he is an all round fantastic midfielder,, however he will look to take the DM on one v one drag him about open up spaces for others to drive into, with the ball at feet look to play quick one twos with those around him so he makes the runs into the box looking for that return ball that will get him in on goal. If the ball is played to him with his back to goal hold it up, draw the foul from the DM, if it doesnt come then look to lay it off, look to play the slide pass into Aguero, he must support Aguero as best he can and the two must link up very well, very quickly, Pogba is fantastic in front of goal. All three are good all round midfielders, But Busquets i want to sit in the hole with the two either side when defending. I want our defence and midfield shutting down everything quickly, even if its high up the pitch, we don't give them time on the ball to get it to their dangerous front three.
Neymar and Sanchez are known for their creativity, speed, and technical ability and are fearless, explosive attacking midfielders who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble. More importantly both scorers of wonderful and important goals. Both technically excellent in limited areas, fast explosive acceleration during the first ten yards. Which more often than not takes them passed defenders and allows them to get into dangerous areas. Always play with there heads up looking for the runs of others to get the ball into there feet. Sanchez I want to be a proper winger today and look to drive down the line and keep it to the outside making them come to him, which will leave holes in the centre of the pitch hopefully he will get the ball into. When they have the ball look to stick close to fullbacks/wingbacks and stop them coming forward especially Marcelo, Sanchez must track him when he has the ball and give Lahm as much assistance as possible. Just track the fullbacks and use pace to get back and in around there faces to stop them becoming a threat. Always be looking for Pogba inside as the four make an awesome quartet in behind Aguero and a scary proposition for there back line.
Aguero will get plenty chances, he is bang in form, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, however I want to target the slower of the two. Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges..All of our front four/five will be a threat today we must go for it and keep pace with the league leaders. Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Neymar and Sanchez, Pogba will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Pogba as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.
Captain - Bonucci
Penalties - Neymar
Free kicks - Neymar
Corners - Wingers
Subs
Losing -
60 Mins - Dybala for Pogba he will be right in behind Aguero and sometimes as a two or getting beyond him
70 Mins - Caldara for Lahm, Caldara will go to CB, Ricardo to LM, with Sanchez on the other side, we will still have plenty muscle in there to allow Neymar to go to the left of a front three.
80 Mins - Sterling for Sanchez last throw of the dice really, extra energy to try and exploit there tiredness.
If this goes to ET then Caldara will go to RB, Ricardo to LB and back to 4231, if at all we go behind again back to the 343
Winning -
70 Mins - Kessie for Pogba he will go to the left of Busquets and we will have a powerful midfield 3
80 Mins - Mendy for Neymar will play LM and will help out defensively as Liverpool go more attacking
85 Mins - Dybala for Aguero
If this goes to ET then Vidal will play a little further up the field.
Drawing
-
70 Mins - Dybala for Pogba
If it is 1-1 or they have the advantage with away goals
Any time after 70 Mbappe for Lahm, Sterling for Sanchez 3 at the back Sterling RM, Mbappe LM and our front 3 of Dybala-Aguero-Neymar
posted on 24/4/17
Pens for the sake of it not that I envisage it
Aguero
Neymar
Dybala
Sanchez
Vidal
Ricardo
Mbappe
Bonucci
Busquets
Sterling
Lahm
posted on 24/4/17
ASTON VILLA 4-4-2 Uber Attacking Monaco
--------------------- 13. Oblak
24. Conti --- 4. Alderweireld --- 17. Boateng --- 23. Shaw
8. D. Silva --- 14. Bakayoko --- 19. Modric --- 11. Reus
----------- 21. Cavani --- 18. Benzema
SUBS: 1. Chesney, 31. Benatia, 15. Trippier, 6. Strootman, 7. Bernardo, 9. Ibrahimovic, 29. Falcao
Captain: Marco Reus
Corners: Luka Modric
Penalties: Marco Reus
Shooting Free kicks: Marco Reus
Crossing Free kicks: Luka Modric
Already two goals down so we have to give it a go, we go uber attacking Monaco style to make sure we have a fighting chance of winning this tie. There's nothing to lose in this match
Both our full backs will get up and down the pitch to help squeeze their team back. Bakayoko will be our deep midfielder to help protect our defence. Our wide players will have to play slightly more narrow to create an almost diamond in midfield at times to help dominate a Newcastle midfield three. The width will come from the full backs getting far up the pitch. This ensures that it's easier to keep the ball.
When defending, our back four will defend narrow and our midfield will help contain the wide Newcastle players so that our full backs can concentrate on the middle of the pitch. Two banks of four is one of the best ways of defending and we will use that to squeeze space for Newcastle.
In terms of attacking, we have a playmaker out wide in Silva and another attacking player that adds thrust to our attack in Reus. Silva will cut inside at every opportunity and move into the no. 10 position where he operates best, but becomes hard to track for the Newcastle players. Reus will thrust forward with and without the ball and attack directly at their back line. His shooting ability means he can also be a threat from far out. Cavani and Benzema will pin back their back four and give them a lot of work to do. With these roles it means that Modric can play his natural game and control the midfield like a metronome.
SUBS
70 mins: Ibra for Benzema, allows us to be more direct in attacking.
75 mins: Bernardo for David Silva, fresh legs but essentially the same role.
80 mins winning on agg: Strootman for Cavani, three man midfield to see the game out
80 mins getting dumped out on agg: Falcao for Bakayoko, whatever, just attack!
Pens:
Ibra
Reus
Falcao
Cavani
Modric
Bernardo
posted on 25/4/17
--------------------- Handanovic
Carvajal ----- Varane ----- Javi.M ---- Ghoulam
-------------------- Fernandinho
-------------- Gundogan --- De Bruyne --------
O.Dembele ------ Lewandowski ----- Mandzukic
Navas, Tah, Guerreiro, Matuidi, Ox, Coman, Perisic
A win in the home leg without conceding so today first and foremost we stay solid defensively and keep numbers behind the ball whilst looking to initiate quick breaks.
4-3-3, possession football. As they will be chasing the game we bring in a extra midfielder, keep the ball on the deck and control the tempo of the game, as they press for possession and bring numbers up, gaps will appear and our creative duo in central midfield can use their vision to exploit.
Our front 3 all very good outlets that will put in a shift defensively whilst using their movement to make themselves outlets for a pass, we shouldn't be afraid to go long at times looking to factor in the height advantage and speed of Dembele.
Carvajal will look to be a little more cautious with roaming forward allowing Ghoulam to bust a gut and support Mandzukic to create overloads, use his pace and get in behind looking for a cut-back into the box.
Defensively, 10 men behind the ball in a rigid structure narrowing passing lanes and man-marking creative influences, working as a unit.
We transition to a 4-1-4-1, two banks of four behind the ball. Fernandinho sits deep and acts as the enforcer playing just ahead of our back 4, looking to pick the ball up from the back and spray it about with zip. The general link from defence to midfield, in terms of defensive responsibility he should man-mark their AM at all times, not give him an inch to influence the game. Lewandowski presses from the front.
Throughout stay organised defensively, condense the middle of the park and bring our wingers back to support our FB's, keep it simple and risk-free.
Subs:
If winning/draw - 70th minute:
Matuidi > Gundogan
Coman > Mandzukic
If losing:
Guerreiro > Ghoulam
Matuidi > Gundogan
Coman > Mandzukic
C - Lewandowski
FK's - KdB/ close - Lewandowski
Corners - KdB/Dembele
Pens - Lewandowski
posted on 25/4/17
5-4-1 Direct
On the face of it a defensive formation, but with a team full of pace and power from back to front, our front three, two attacking full backs and two powerful cms we look to exploit Barcadrid's weaknesses.
With more defensive players this will force their attacking players deeper, and see their defenders seek to bring the ball forward leaving them in a position we can expose on the break. Breaking quickly, and going direct our front 3 can combine to get more goals.
We expect the opposition to have more possession at home (seeing we were cheated by the Spanish big boys who were up to their old tricks as always), and so this cover is vital. Having a side that can break, and move forward at pace and expose the spaces and target their fbs who defensively aren't strong will be vital.
Key to this formation working for us is having a back 5 that can start the attacks, with 3 cbs who are great in possession and all posses great pace. The ability of our cbs to step up into midfield, carrying the ball and picking passes is key to this formation.
We will look to target their fbs defensively, get Hazard and Costa running at them. They will have them beat, and the ability to then see us in on goal, or have a set piece to get our big players in the box where we have far more players to target.
In choosing the team we've gone with two powerful cms, who can drive the side forward and break to support the attacks. With the cover of an extra cb behind them, and a cb bringing the ball forward and out from the back, we feel we can use the legs of our cm duo to steam role the opposition. We feel they are lacking here and so have picked a duo to exploit this.
We look to get the ball to our front 3 as quickly as possible. Getting both full backs, and one cm supporting. We will try our luck with accurate long balls from the back, find our front 3 in space.
We defend in a rigid defensive unit behind the ball, the two closest players pressing the ball, the others getting back and pressing the space so that they have no options to break.
------------------------ M.Neuer -------------------------
Danilo --- Ramos --- Koscielny --- Umtiti --- Kurzawa
---------------- Khedira ------ Thomas.P ----------------
Douglas Costa -------------------------------- E.Hazard
---------------------- C.Ronaldo -------------------------
Subs. Zieler, A.Vidal, Vallejo, Verratti, Thiago.A, Vitolo, Rashford
Key to our attack is quick attacking play. Varying our play and how we get the ball to our front three in space.
Defensive press
Defending, in numbers with every attacking player man market, ensuring we can always press the ball while always having spare cbs to cover. By having more defensive players this will force their attacking players deeper, and see their defenders seek to bring the ball forward leaving them in a position we can expose on the break.
We look to control the opposition by pressing the space with a narrow rigid defensive unit, only allowing them to play in areas we want them to. We man mark their wingers and striker. The cms pick up the am, and more attacking cm. This means whichever of the attacking players have the ball they are being pressed. One winger also gets back to defend, picking up the attacking fb.
If both fbs attack, we switch one cb over to mark the winger, and the fb picks up their attacking fb. We only expect to one fb to attack.
In this tight rigid formation, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. The two spare cbs will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, reading any dangers to get across or step forward where required.
Narrowing the play to the side Barcadrid are attacking, pushing them backwards and wide away from danger.
Attack.
Get the ball to our wingers, get them attacking their fbs. We look to get the ball to Hazard and target their rb in particular.
We also feel our cms power will cause their midfield great issues when we are breaking and they will struggle to have the legs to keep up with our duo.
The wingers and Ronaldo have creative freedom in attack to find space, and link up.
Captain: Ramos
Subs.
If winning or drawing after 65 mins bring on Vitolo for Douglas Costa. Fresh pace to get at them.
If winning or drawing after 70 mins bring on Verratti for Thomas. Fresh legs in an important area, importantly a hard worker, but also someone who can put their foot on the ball and help us see the game out.
If winning or drawing after 75 mins bring on Rashford for Ronaldo. Pure pace to get at their tired legs and expose the gaps they leave attacking.
If losing after 55 mins bring on Thiago and Verratti for Thomas and Umtiti. 4-2-3-1.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Rashford for Danilo. 3-5-2.
posted on 26/4/17
--------------------Lloris
Gaspar-----Pepe------Godin-----Bertrand
-----------------Casemiro
-----------Radja------------Pjanic
Mane-----------------------------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Hummels, Wendell, Henderson, Ozil, Brandt, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own. Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
Radja is in today, with the focus on him working with Casemiro and Pjanic using their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, looking to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. when we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player around them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Pjanic takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Casemiro looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him creating less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Radja takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt, he will also occasionally provide the short corner option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Henderson for Radja - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
81 + 85 Mins - Wendell for Firmino and Brandt for Mane - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Ozil for Radja - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing (on aggregate)
70 Mins - Kane, Hummels and Ozil for Bertrand, Casemiro and Gaspar - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.
posted on 27/4/17
vs Chelsea
—————————-Courtois
——Christensen——-D.Luiz——-Koulibaly
Azpilicueta——Nzonzi——Gagliardini——Marcelo
—————Pedro———————Koke
—————————Griezmann
Subs: Schmeichel, Tielemans, O.Torres, Williams, Carrasco, Batshauyi, Aubameyang
Captain: David Luiz
Free Kicks: David Luiz/Antoine Griezmann
Corners: Koke
Penalties: Antoine Griezmann
All we need is a draw and a goal today, we’ve set up to be nice and compact and to flood the middle of the field, where Chelsea want to play, we will use the forwards to put a lot of pressure on them when they try and play out from the back, with the rest of the team set up in organised fashion behind them. We’ve gone for an in your face hard working front three but one who have the quick one touch football to unlock Chelsea.
We have to look to make the pitch really narrow today by shuffling the pack out to the vertical zones of the field that Chelsea try to play n, that means if they go wide we set up to box them in on to the touchline and if they try to stay in the middle we drop a blanket over them, lines narrow and compact so there isn’t the room to pass their way through us. The three forwards will be ready to press, triggered if the ball is played to an opponent with his back to goal, or to an opponents who’s tight to the touchline. That means as soon as it goes wide we want Pedro and Griezmann closing right in on him, the WB pushed up slightly to cut out any passes to the winger and Koke on Busquets making sure he’s never an option. When they want to play into the middle, again Koke on Busquets, which will be his job throughout, Pedro ahead of Vidal and Griezmann putting pressure on the ball, if the ball is played to a player with back to goal the three jump on him immediately. Behind them we stay together with Nzonzi and Gagliardini looking to use this to their advantage, it allows them to work in tandem to slow Chelsea attacks down, Gagliardini working tirelessly to press the man on the ball and Nzonzi working to close passing angles down, which will allow the energetic WBs and the two wide CBs, along with the AMs to tuck in and close out all the remaining passing angles, allowing the CMs to do the pressing if the ball gets into the middle third and covering the spaces around them. This leaves Luiz as a sweeper to deal with the Aguero’s movement in behind, looking to bully him out of the game, always putting his body in the way and frustrating him as he tends to do. If we are forced deeper we sit off them, we allow them easier possession and instead focus on making sure all the gaps are shut, Koke and Pedro drop in either side of the CMs to make it a 5-4-1 with Griezmann looking to take up marking duties on Busquets, its key to us getting something stopping him dictating. As soon as any ball is played loosely or to a player with his back to goal we step in and win it back.
If Chelsea go wide we narrow to that side of the field with the WB and the CB on that side able to come out and defend against FB and winger, leaving two CBs to deal with the striker and the WB on the opposite side to tuck in so we always have that spare defender, although he will be focused on the winger looking to make inside runs. In these positions we can simply make things too compact to break through, Nzonzi and Gagliardini closed right in blocking the route out, whilst the forward on that side comes back to press and then act as the link man to the two high forwards who are free of defensive duties, close to the play but in positions where they are focusing on making runs when we win it back rather than trying to get a foot in, unless of course the ball goes back towards where they are.
Like previously said the teams moves up the field as a unit so when we attack the CBs push up too, so we can make it hard for them to break. Koulibaly and Christensen will stretch out slightly so that there are no big gaps left by the WBs pushing up but also in order to get wide CB, WB and AM all down the flank and really stretch the game out, move the ball out to the side so that Chelsea’s press is forced wide and opens up more room for Luiz to drop deeper than the wide CBs and avoid being pressed, giving him more time on the ball when he gets it, looking to fire balls in to the forwards or out into the wide areas. When the ball is moved about we have the option of the wide CBs looking to play the ball to the WB and introduce the overload in wide areas where we feel Chelsea will be most vulnerable, their wingers aren’t hard working and their FBs both suspect defensively, we can run at them and open up gaps that Busquets and Vidal have to try and fill, which lets our two CMs use their power to overcome the remaining central players. Gagliardini is excellent at dragging players out wide with him and this kind of movement will draw CMs out of their comfort zone but also allows for more link up in wide areas, especially looking to bring Marcelo into things. Nzonzi is the more direct, he just loves to carry the ball forward and can pick his passes well, we don’t want these two getting too far apart but they give us a solid platform on and off the ball. The WBs will look to get forward whenever we win the ball, overlapping and stretching the defence out, forcing the opposition FBs backwards into more defensive positions where they can’t counter as quickly and have to play to the weak part of their games. Azpilicueta look to hold a lot of width. Marcelo can get the ball wide and then look to come infield with his trickery or by playing quick passes with the CMs or the attackers, his penetrating runs provide us with something different and a player who is always willing to break from deep to get in behind the opposition backline, where his marker won’t track him and he can get to the byline and pull the ball back. Pedro and Koke play in the half space, neither out wide nor in the hole, they occupy the positions between, roaming where they can effect the game in the way they like, Koke linking midfield to attack and then looking to get into the box to get on the end of balls in/through and Pedro occupying defenders with his trickery and pace, particularly running at Rodriguez as much as possible. We introduce the two AM’s into the spaces between FB and central players where they can overload and bully the players that others are attacking(especially the opposition FBs/WBs in the initial build up phase) or occupy the vacant spaces between lines and players where once they receive the ball they will have time and space to turn which makes these two very dangerous. Griezmann leads the line, his movement will be key, he drops deeper when he wants to link play and get players running off them, he runs wide when he wants to draw CBs out of position and he loves to ghost in behind or into the box unmarked, as he’s not a traditional CF he is very hard to pick up, we didn’t want Bonucci to have an easy man v man battle today!
Subs:
If Winning: Carrasco for Pedro 70’, fresh legs to come in and help keep up our energy levels. Batshauyi and Aubameyang for Koke and Griezmann 80’, late on a front 2 that should detach Chelsea’s defence from the rest of the team, if they keep too high a line they’ll be punished, we can go more direct into Bats and he will find Auba.
If Drawing: Carrasco for Pedro 70’, fresh legs. Aubameyang for Koke 75’, goes up top with Griezmann in behind, pace in behind Chelsea. Tielemans for Gagliardini if extra time, fresh legs in midfield, can defend and find the attack.
If Losing: Aubameyang and Carrasco for Christensen and Gagliardini 65’, 4-4-2. Williams for Pedro 75’, extra pace looking to get at their FB.
If Pens:
1. Antoine Griezmann
2. Marcelo
3. David Luiz
4. Carrasco
5. Pierre Emerik Aubameyang
6. Koke
7. Youri Tielemans
8. Iñaki Williams
9. Steven Nzonzi
10. Andreas Christensen
11. Cesar Azpilicueta
12. Kalidou Koulibaly
13. Thibaut Courtois
posted on 28/4/17
Comment deleted by Article Creator
posted on 28/4/17
Comment deleted by Article Creator
posted on 28/4/17
whoops can you delete that one
--------------------Lloris
Gaspar-----Pepe------Godin-----Bertrand
-----------------Casemiro
-----------Radja------------Pjanic
Mane-----------------------------------Firmino
-------------------Suarez
Subs
Patricio, Hummels, Wendell, Henderson, Ozil, Brandt, Kane
Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will claim it without trouble, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.
Godin is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, both centre backs will stay back with either one of the full backs or the DM always prepared to make it a back 3 when we lose possesion to stop counter attacks, Both CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are so they are always aware. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.
For the full backs today the objective is to sit back and tuck in slightly when defending, looking to stop balls being played between them and the centre backs, with the secondary advantage of discouraging the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack of our own. Their objective when attacking will be to keep making runs past the winger on both the inside and outside, giving the opposition full back that split second of indecision on who they go with. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the wingers or players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.
Radja is in today, with the focus on him working with Casemiro and Pjanic using their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, looking to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. when we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player around them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.
Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery to make runs between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite wide man has the ball, the wideman without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.
When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.
Set Pieces
Corners - Pjanic takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball, Firmino and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Casemiro looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him creating less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Radja takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt, he will also occasionally provide the short corner option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.
Free Kicks - Suarez takes Direct FK's
For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners
Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.
Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Henderson for Radja - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.
85 Mins - Wendell for Bertrand - Fresh legs with the added element of running down the clock.
If Drawing
70 Mins - Ozil for Radja - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.
If Losing
70 Mins - Kane, Hummels and Ozil for Bertrand, Casemiro and Gaspar - switch to a 3-5-2 with emphasis on the wings backs acting as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.
Penalty Takers in order (if on the pitch)
Suarez
Kane
Pjanic
Ozil
Radja
Henderson
Firmino
Mane
Wendell
posted on 29/4/17
------------------------- De Gea -------------------------
P.Lahm ------ Bonucci ------ Manolas ------ Ricardo
------------------------ Busquets ------------------------
------------------Arturo ------- Pogba ------------------
Sterling ---------------------------------------- Neymar
------------------------- Aguero -------------------------
Heaton, Caldara, Mendy, Kessie, Mbappe, Sanchez, Dybala
Another huge game today against a fantastic team but we are on a huge high after winning the league and playing with a lot of confidence, we go in with one change Sterling in for Sanchez but that doesn't stop our quick tempo and free flowing football as we normally play.
In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.
Bonucci in beside Manolas, on this occassion Manolas will man mark the CF. Manolas is a very cultured defender who is quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, powerfully built so marking the CF should be no trouble as he has to man up to him, will keep him away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Bonucci alongside is fantastic in the air, so will mark any other players that come into our danger area, strong in the air and strong in the tackle and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger. A clever player who can intercept attacks very quickly before they begin and he does this with great effect and simply takes the ball away from attackers. He too can carry the ball out from defence but we must be careful and only do this when it is possible. His passing is too top class as he at times plays the simple ball, however his range is fantastic and can quite easily ping a 50 yards pass forward for the front line to chase or take down. Both go up for corners and are a huge threat.
Lahm and Ricardo in at fullback, we must keep the wingers/wingbacks quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas where is dangerous in any position. This is a vital clash in this game. They will be up against quality wingers so look to force him away from goal and backwards. I want them to attack when in no danger (one at a time, dont be left exposed)so time these runs perfectly. One sits back a bit and allowing the other to attack, this is keeping a 3 at the back at all times. Their marking abilities are sound, both have good positional sense and very quick, do not make rash desicions and will stay on their feet. When one goes the other stays as they look to make an extra man down the flank for our wingers to cut inside or play neat one twos to free the wingers up as there fullbacks get dragged out of position. Ricardo will be making these runs more than Lahm which allows Neymar to go more central
We have changed the midfield slightly with Busquets dropping in behind both Vidal and Pogba he is there to stop the main AM getting the ball from midfield to the striker and taking him completely out of the game, he must be right on top of him looking to close him down at the quickest opportunity, let him dictate play and there striker will get plenty chances, we must not let this happen. So quick and into him, fairly and stop this! Busquets himself will look to dictate from deep as he picks up from the defence and looks to drive us forward with precision passing to the players in front of him.
Vidal v the second most advanced midfielder much the same, but obvs when we have the ball he is allowed to move forward and move into dangerous areas where he is best and force there players back, Vidal should have a bit of time to look around him for the pass as he looks to find his team mates with ease. Pass and move always look for the return pass. When they have then close down the CM, he will look to ping the ball about so get to him before that opportunity arises. We have put Pogba in beside Vidal in a role that pretty much puts him against there DM, he must be strong, he is an all round fantastic midfielder,, however he will look to take the DM on one v one drag him about open up spaces for others to drive into, with the ball at feet look to play quick one twos with those around him so he makes the runs into the box looking for that return ball that will get him in on goal. If the ball is played to him with his back to goal hold it up, draw the foul from the DM, if it doesnt come then look to lay it off, look to play the slide pass into Aguero, he must support Aguero as best he can and the two must link up very well, very quickly, Pogba is fantastic in front of goal. All three are good all round midfielders, But Busquets i want to sit in the hole with the two either side when defending. I want our defence and midfield shutting down everything quickly, even if its high up the pitch I want us pressing them all the time, if they have time on the ball they can really hurt us, so we don't give them time on the ball to get it to their dangerous front three. If we can contain Verratti and Thiago especially then their front three wont get many opportunities.
Neymar and Sterling are known for their creativity, speed, and technical ability and are fearless, explosive attacking midfielders who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble. More importantly both scorers of wonderful and important goals. Both technically excellent in limited areas, fast explosive acceleration during the first ten yards. Which more often than not takes them passed defenders and allows them to get into dangerous areas. Always play with there heads up looking for the runs of others to get the ball into there feet. Sterling I want to be a proper winger today and look to drive down the line and keep it to the outside making them come to him, which will leave holes in the centre of the pitch hopefully he will get the ball into. When they have the ball look to stick close to fullbacks/wingbacks and stop them coming forward., Sterling must track the fullback when he has the ball and give Lahm as much assistance as possible. Just track the fullbacks and use pace to get back and in around there faces to stop them becoming a threat. Always be looking for Pogba/Vidal inside as the four make an awesome attack in behind Aguero and a scary proposition for there back line.
Aguero will get plenty chances, he is bang in form, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, however I want to target the slower of the two. Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges..All of our front four/five will be a threat today we must go for it and keep pace with the league leaders. Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Neymar and Sterling, Pogba, Vidal will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Pogba as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.
Captain - Bonucci
Penalties - Neymar
Free kicks - Neymar
Corners - Wingers
Subs
Losing -
65 Mins - Dybala for Pogba, Vidal drops in beside Busquets and Dybala to a more advanced role behind Aguero & Sanchez for Sterling straight swap can hopefully do some damage
83 Mins - Caldara for Lahm, he goes to the right of a back 3, Ricardo to LM in a 4, Neymar goes up top
Caldara-Bonucci-Manolas
Sanchez-Arturo-Sergio-Ricardo
Dybala-Aguero-Neymar
if it goes to ET after this, revert to a back 4231 with Caldara at RB
Winning -
70 Mins - Sanchez for Sterling, fresh legs, helps out defensively as well as being able to push forward
80 Mins - Kessie for Pogba, he and Vidal make a strong midfield 3 with Busquets
85 Mins - Mendy for Neymar plays LM to help out Ricardo against any fresh legs 451
Drawing -
70 Mins - Sanchez for Sterling
80 Mins - Dybala for Pogba, Vidal drops in beside Busquets, Dybala plays at No.10
85 Mins - Mbappe for Aguero
Pens if needed
Neymar
Ricardo
Aguero
Dybala
Sanchez
Mbappe
Bonucci
Vidal
Busquets
posted on 29/4/17
Attacking 4-3-3
Being the final, we make no mistake about it and go all out for the win and look to take the game to Chelsea. With a midfield trio capable of dominating possession, that's exactly what we look to do, get Verratti and Thiago coming in fresh in an important area, to link up and control the tempo.
A big game, we look for a big performance from our big players. With great pace in attack we look to hit Chelsea fast, take the game to them starting with a high tempo. Having won the league last weekend they've had a couple big games in less than a week they're more likely to have tired legs and tired heads. Hit them quick and get on top.
Key to our game plan is quick passing moves in the midfield and using our pace out wide. In Verratti and Khedira we have two high tempo players that will give us great energy in midfield, Thiago in front is brilliant at intercepting the play and together give us a solid defensive base to the side. Importantly though, they're all excellent at controlling games.
Khedira is the holding player today, a calming influence in possession keeping it simple but more importantly powerful and intelligent defensively. Verratti looking to pick the ball up from deep and link the defence and attack. Thiago the more advanced playmaker of the trio. Thiago and Verratti together will look to work together to dominate possession.
The midfield should never be flat. Create as many lines as possible to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition. We play with width, stretching the game for our cm trio, one full back bombs forward, with our wingers staying wide until the final third where they have freedom.
We will also try the odd long ball, either direct to Ronaldo or over the top for the pace of our forwards to run on to.
We defend in a rigid defensive unit behind the ball, the two closest players pressing the ball, the others getting back and pressing the space so that they have no options to break.
---------------------- M.Neuer ---------------------
Danilo ----- S.Ramos ---- Umtiti ----- Kurzawa
------------ M.Verratti ----- Khedira ------------
---------------------- Thiago.A ------------------
Douglas Costa -------------------------- E.Hazard
--------------------- C.Ronaldo -------------------
Subs. Zieler, Vallejo, A.Vidal, Bakayoko, Cesc, Vitolo, Rashford
Key to our attack is quick attacking play. Varying our play and how we get the ball to our front three in space.
Defending in numbers
We look to control the opposition by pressing the space with a narrow rigid defensive unit, only allowing them to play in areas we want them to. When we lose the ball the closest player presses the ball, the second closest presses the obvious passing channel. As they’re doing this everyone else bar Ronaldo and the winger opposite play gets behind the play. The winger on the opposite side of play sits on Busquets. Don't give him space or time to get on the ball, take him out the equation and they'll find it a lot harder to build attacks.
In a deep, narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Draw them in to positions where they can’t hurt us, and then try and win the ball back.
As Chelsea advance into higher areas of the park and into our half, our shape will resemble a 4-4-1-1, narrowing to the side of play. In this tight rigid formation, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Khedira will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, reading any dangers to get across.
Narrowing the play to the side Chelsea are attacking, pushing them backwards and wide away from danger. When they switch play, we switch over.
Attack.
The attacking trio have creative freedom in the final third. Simply get the ball to them in space.
Sami and Verratti picking the passes to start the attacks. They take turns to look for space in between the defence and midfield. They both have the ability to link with our front three and be a threat in and around their box.
We want quick one twos in the opposition half. Verratti, Thiago and the wingers will always be looking for the killer ball. If it is not on, we are happy to keep possession, attacking down the wings.
Captain: Ramos
Subs. If winning after 65 mins bring on Vitolo for Douglas Costa. Fresh pace, and a fantastic work rate.
If winning after 75 mins bring on Bakayoko for Verratti. Fresh legs in cm.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Rashford for Ronaldo. Fresh pace up top to hurt them as they push for a winner.
If drawing after 70 mins bring on Cesc for Verratti. Thiago moves to cm role, Cesc more attacking cm.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Vitolo for Douglas Costa.
If extra time after 100 mins bring on A.Vidal for Danilo.
If losing after 60 mins bring on Cesc for Verratti.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Vitolo for Danilo.
If losing after 80 mins bring on Rashford for Thiago.
posted on 29/4/17
---------------------- Handanovic
---------- Tah --------- Javi.M ----- Varane
Carvajal ----- Gundogan --- Matuidi -------- Ghoulam
------------ De Bruyne ---------- O.Dembele
--------------------- Lewandowski
Subs: Navas, Alves, Guerreiro, Fernandinho, Perisic, Coman, Mandzukic
Big cup game today, we may have slightly underachieved in the league but this game can define our season and turn it around, we go out and give it our all today, every player stand up and be counted!
We’re not going to allow Newcastle to play, game might be a bit of a borefest but we set-up defensively sound and play to our advantages.
5-4-1, off the ball,
First and foremost we don’t allow Newcastle to play out easy from the back and build attacks, our 3 attackers press from the front and we cover passing lanes into midfield. Lewandowski dropping deep and occupying the route to their CB’s, Dembele and De Bruyne wide. Martinez steps out and into a deep CDM role making a midfield 3 with our WG-backs on their wingers, Varane on their ST.
Cut out passing lanes in close proximity as the closest attacker to the ball goes to press, force them wide and with their backs to goal. Nip in and force errors.
If they go long we we are well equipped to contest aerial duels, we feel they lack any sort of target man or aerial presence. If they manage to play out we then get numbers behind the ball and work as a collective unit to press the space and man on the ball.
Key today is structure and organisation, 11 men behind the ball with a rigid structure only allowing them to play where we want them too, importance on:
1) man-marking creative attackers to restrict their influence
2) condensing the size of the pitch and staying close to their players
3) forcing them into playing and thinking quickly in mf zones
4) Using 'banks' and getting numbers behind the ball, pressing the opposition player in possession and forcing their attackers to come deep in order to receive the ball.
Defending deep in a compact unit is one thing but in midfield is where we need to press with great intent, essentially stopping their mf will ensure that the supply to their attack is largely kept to a minimum.
In this case (when we are off the ball) we want Lewandowski to drop deeper than usual and occupy their CDM working in a trio (with Matuidi and Gundogan), stop him from playing the pivot role and ensure they can’t play the pass back to him if their other midfielders are being vicariously pressed.
Matuidi and Gundogan then press the midfielders infront, Matuidi given the role of man-marking their most creative outlet looking to use more of his physical prowess and workrate to not give him an inch, notably time or space on the ball to pick a pass. Gundogan will look to do a similar job if they play a mf 3, covering ground and in short working as a pack of wolves in a trio to stop the opposition from playing.
As we put a stop to their midfield our wing-backs then become very important to the side, defensive duties are priority first and foremost to allow us to create a bank of 5 at the back and squeeze.
Key is leaving no gaps or space to get in behind, working as a staunch unit so their quick attackers have to come deeper to get involved making their first point of contact with the ball much deeper than they anticipated and notably away from our final third.
De Bruyne and Dembele then should get back on the flanks to work numerical advantages and work with our WG-backs to prevent the danger. Don’t allow them to cut in or work opportunities infield.
If they bring up their FB’s to create 2-2 situation, our FB is tasked with keeping their wingers wide whilst our wingers go with their FB’s to man-mark. Keeping them wide is essential as even if they do manage to get delivery into the box we have 3 CB’s very comfortable in the air, alert to any danger.
When their attackers are faced with the task to come deeper and receive the ball, we should be more aggressive and look to put our foot in. We shouldn't be afraid to commit little fouls, stop any fluidity to the play and put a stop to the tempo of the game, don’t allow their wingers to run at us and frustrate them with constant breaks to the play.
Defenisvely, essential to the side is quick players that can cover ground, Tah and Varane, Carvajal and Ghoulam at the back and our midfielders and attackers. Work as a side and don't give them any space to play in, force risk.
Attacking wise, 3-4-3,
We expect to do our fair share of defending today but we have a side who are very good in possession when we are on the ball, allows us a breather as they chase our shadows.
Martinez, Matuidi and Gundogan having pass success rates of more than 90% this season and Carvajal, Ghoulam and Varane in the high 80’s, add the creativity of KdB, pace of Dembele and goals of Lewandowski we are more than capable of breaking this Newcastle side down.
When a quick counter is not on and they get numbers behind the ball, we will look to play a patient but penetrative passing game. At times Martinez can step out into mf and get his foot on the ball or come short and collect from Handanovic, our CB’s either side will look to shuffle wider allowing our WG-backs to get forward.
Gundogan and Matuidi will look to sit deep and spread the play, pass and receive looking for the movement of the attackers ahead. Both very good on the ball if they are being vigorously pressed they know the next pass on before they receive the ball, good at working in restrictive space also, Matuidi especially with the power he possesses.
Our AM’s will look to play slightly wider today looking to attack their FB’s as this is probably their biggest weakness. One WG-back at a time comes to support looking to overlap as the other sits nearer the halfway line on the opposite side, force their wingers back throughout the game to help out their fullbacks ensuring they are less of a threat going forward.
Lewandowski play his natural game, occupy the CB’s and make himself an outlet. He doesn’t need many chances to score so always on his toes and look to score when he gets the chance.
Counter attacking wise, we look to target the gaps they have left by bringing players up to join their attacks. Looking to target the flanks in particular, Dembele is a real speedy outlet that will have the beating of his FB more often than not.
Carvajal and Ghoulam integral to how we play on the break. I want our central midfield duo to sit in and remained disciplined allowing our fullbacks to burst forward and stretch the opposition, both very quick on their feet and great delivery into the box.
One of the advantages of our side is we have creative players that can transition our side from defence to attack within seconds, a pass from De Bruyne or the pace of Dembele, create numerical overloads and hit them hard.
Always keep numbers back in case of an opposition counter, 3 very good CB’s at the back who are all very quick on their feet, Martinez man-marks their ST, others beside watch for runners from deep.
C - Lewandowski
FK's - KdB/ close - Lewandowski
Corners - KdB/Gundogan
Pens - Lewandowski
If winning – (3-4-3)
70th minute: Fernandinho > Matuidi – Extra steel in mf
80th minute: Mandzukic > KdB - Big outlet going forward, allows us to counter or get out
85th minute: Guerreiro > Ghoulam
If losing – (3-4-3 – wide)
Alves > Carvajal – 75th minute – Alves look to stretch them
Coman > KdB – 75th minute – Dembele and Coman wide, Alves and Ghoulum overlap, hit them hard down the flanks.
If draw >
75th minute – Guerreiro > Ghoulam
85th minute - Mandzukic > KdB
Extra time – Coman > Dembele
Like for like changes, freshen up the side looking to win the game.
Pens:
Decided on day, depending who’s on and who goes off
Page 6 of 19
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11