Chelsea
------------------------ Johnstone ------------------------
J.Cancelo ----- Scalvini ----- Bastoni ----- N.Mendes
------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham -------------
F.Torres ---------------- Nkunku ------------- H.Ekitike
-------------------------- Haaland -------------------------
Bergstrom, A.Frances, Irogbunam, Locatelli, Mbappe, Adeyemi, Brobbey
U21 - Bastoni, Mendes, Bellingham, Ferran, Haaland, Ekitike, Adeyemi
U19 - Scalvini, A.Frances, Bergstrom, Iroegbunam, Brobbey
Playing from the back and quick on the break ie passing the ball quickly from the back, not racing up the pitch from center back! Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, I want our front three play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers will be able get in behind quite easily as their wingbacks like to push forward, we want to hit them quickly, when we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4. CBs up for set pieces.
Scalvini and Bastoni at the heart of our defense. Bastoni picks up the CF he is a powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Scalvini is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men. CBs up for corners, FBs and Iroegbunam stay back.
Rice, he is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick, young and full of energy, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Ekitike will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - Declan Rice
Free Kicks - Bellingham
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing
65 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike, Adeyemi for Nkunku, Adeyemi up top, Mbappe left 442/424
Drawing -
65 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike
75 Mins - Adeyemi for Nkunku, Locatelli for Bellingham 442/424
Winning -
75 Mins - Iroegbunam for Nkunku, becomes the out an out DM behind Rice/Jude
80 Mins - Mbappe for Haaland
Man City
------------------------- Bazanu ---------------------------
------- Skriniar ---- Schlotterbeck ---- Rudiger -------
----------------- N.Kante ----- Ramsey ------------------
Patterson ------------------------------------- B.Chilwell
-------------------------- Hlozek ---------------------------
--------------- Lukaku ----------- Havertz ----------------
Travers, Kamara, JWP, Pulisic, Watkins, Popescu, Patino
U21 - Bazanu, Schlotterbeck, Ramsey, Hlozek, Kamara
U19 - Patterson, Popescu, Patino
When we don't have the ball, we will press high up the pitch, conceding very little space, Havertz and Hlozek will look to steal the ball within the attacking third and hopefully, quickly get it to the other two in front, We do not give them any time on the ball and our front 3 prevent their defense hanging on to it too long or trying to play form the back as we pressurize them all the time
If they do get to our half then we have a strong back 3 and double pivot ahead to prevent play through the middle, meaning they will need to push wide, whichever side they attack from, I want Ramsey and Kante to push to that side again to close them down and support the wingbacks.
When we have the ball it starts from the back moving the ball around between defense and center midfield until the moment arrives when a pass can be made through to the front line, there is no rush, if they come pressing we simply move it to the wide areas for them to bomb down the line and look to either cut it back or get a pass into the front two.
Bazanu is our sweeper keeper, he always makes himself big, I want him involved with the defense playing out, if he has the ball I want him to find players especially the wingbacks when we are ready to attack
Skriniar and Rudiger, both powerful boys Cover the wingbacks when they have pushed forward and take the ball out of defense, use there positional sense well as they may be out paced., must do this with confidence, if they lose the ball then all numbers back to cover, if they are being pressurized then a simple pass even back to the keeper and start again, stay wide (depending on what side) to cover wingbacks if they are forward.
Schlotterbeck will press the opposition striker, when we lose the ball he needs to be on top of the CF very quickly, he must intercept everything, but he has the experience to do this, don't take any risks as the CF will also be on him so move it quickly when he gets it.
Patterson and Chilwell, must work very hard, they have great work rate but this must done for the whole game, get down the line, get the crosses in or cut inside, don't worry so much about what's behind you as their is plenty cover, I don't mean forget your defense duties, just play with a bit of freedom, crosses, one-twos, cut backs and all with pace to hurt them.
Although Kante's primary role in front of the defense is to control possession and then start an attacking phase, he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. Take care of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, he will stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat, very good in the air so can attack long/high balls before they get to our defenders. Once he is in possession of the ball nice simple balls to those around him.
Jacob Ramsey has the responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for the front 3, whilst also helping in the defensive third. Also he must use the wingbacks to create problems when they double up. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running he is expected to do and he does a lot. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks.
Hlozek to dictate proceedings in the final third, either playing the through ball to the front two or use the wingbacks pass in between the lines and give them something to run onto as the drive passed the defender, making late runs into the box unnoticed maybe and look for any loose ball to have a pop at goal, he, defending wise, I want him to harass who ever has the ball in that area and to the right or left as he and Havertz split them in a more 541, get it and move it forward as quickly as possible
Hlozek I want to be making all the runs behind the defense, a tireless worker always making it hard for defenders, I want him to drift wide and pull defenders away, quick and skillful, look to move out to create an outlet for the wingbacks to use or indeed link with the midfield to get Lukaku away on goal, he and Lukaku both fantastic in the air, so while they aim for Lukaku and Havertz, the midfield will be making the late runs into the danger area and with a head start look to get up early and attack the crosses coming in. Again, really put the pressure on their back line with Havertz & Hlozek pushing wide
Lukaku, he is there to finish off chances created by other, I want him always on the last man, no defending required from him, always ready to pounce, if however he cant get in on goal he has plenty round him to lay it off to, or just a quick pass and look to get into space where he can get his shot off, be it wide or dropping back allowing Havertz and Hlozek more time and space, end of, he is in to score goals and that is what he shall do.
Captain - Skriniar
Pens - Lukaku
Free Kicks - Havertz
Corners - Wingbacks
Losing -
65 Mins - Watkins for Hlozek, go up top 343 more direct, Octavian Popescu for Chilwell, a winger on the left
Winning -
75 Mins - Kamara for Havertz and into a mid 5, 3511/5311
83 Mins - JWP for Ramsey
Drawing -
65 Mins - Octavian for Rudiger go to LW, Pulisic for Hlozek go to RW 4231 change of plan
75 Mins - Watkins for Lukaku, run and tiring defenders
Watford: Carabao Cup QF (home to Leeds)
U21: Júnior, Bradley, Veron, Damsgaard, Núñez, Henrique, López
U-19: Pitaluga
Captain: Felipe
Vice Captain: Zubimendi
Team:
---------------Júnior
Dodô--Felipe—Morato---Gómez
------------Zubimendi
-----Svanberg---Damsgaard
Larsen------------------------Henrique
------------------Núñez
SUBS: Pitaluga, Bradley, Collins, Azate, Willock, Veron, López
U21: Júnior, Bradley, Morato, Askilden, Veron, Damsgaard, Henrique, López
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
We want to play a neat crisp passing game at high tempo using our obvious pace to punish the opponent. Our formation will be a 4-3-3 that will allow our full backs to join in the attack when necessary and also offer us the flexibility to fall back into a more standard 4-4-2 when under pressure. We need to boss the midfield from the start and control the game with our own tempo. When in possession use the ball well and try and bring our wide men in to play. When chasing the ball press the opponent with urgency and all over the park. Don’t take too many risks and hold onto the ball. With our creativity and pace we will be able to open teams up. Wait for the chances to arise and take them when they come.
Goalkeeper: Júnior is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: Zubimendi will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. Svanberg and Damsgaard will play just in front of Zubimendi. Svanberg will be a more box to box type. He will be involved all over and will offer as much in defence as in attack. Damsgaard will be the midfield magician. Clever, elusive and tricky we will look to him for creating the midfield openings with his eye for a pass. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Larsen and Henrique will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Damsgaard, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks by going wide or cutting inside as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Damsgaard to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF. As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great big old fashioned centre forward. We will look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. An eye for a pass and not afraid to have a go from distance. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his power pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Svanberg, Henrique or Larsen with Felipe, Morato, Zubimendi and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Damsgaard and Henrique (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Penalties: Núñez
Substitutions: (if winning on 80 minutes) Collins for Morato, López for Núñez and Willock for Svanberg, 3 like for like substitutions.
If losing (on 70 minutes) Veron for Svanberg and López for Larsen. Shift to a 4-1-3-2 attack. López and Veron offering fresh legs, pace and a bit of the unknown in attack.
-------------Zubimendi
Veron---Damsgaard---Henrique
--------Núñez---López
BRENTFORD v Leicester City
u21 = van Sas, Guehi, Colwill, Ampadu, Broja
Livramento, Guehi and Ampadu are all playing the full 90 minutes, whilst Broja plays the first 70 minutes 👍
u19 = Maatsen
--------------------Kelleher
Cash, Andersen, Guehi, Tagliafico
-------------Ampadu, Höjbjerg
Zaniolo-------Ødegaard--------Djuricic
-----------------------Broja
Subs: van Sas, Maehle, Colwill, Maatsen, Koopmeiners, Saint-Maximin, Ibrahimovic
Captain: Andersen
Free Kicks: Ødegaard
Penalties: Broja (Ibrahimovic)
Our defensive unit consists of Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi paired up at centre-back, Matty Cash at right-back and Nicolás Tagliafico at left-back, with Ethan Ampadu and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.
This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Ampadu and Höjbjerg we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.
The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Ampadu can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.
Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.
Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Höjbjerg's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.
With Höjbjerg running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Ethan Ampadu.
Ampadu is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Ampadu such a talent.
The attacking unit consists of Nicolò Zaniolo, Martin Ødegaard and Filip Djuricic as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.
Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.
In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.
Once we have won the ball back, often by Ampadu or Höjbjerg, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.
Cash and Tagliafico can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Ampadu and Höjbjerg can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Nicolò Zaniolo and Filip Djuricic, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.
Martin Ødegaard, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Ødegaard is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Zaniolo, Djuricic & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..
Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.
Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.
Subs on 70 mins
Saint-Maximin on for Djuricic and Ibrahimovic on for Broja
Double substitution - Dynamic pace, dribbling, and unpredictality from Saint-Maximin and a real focal point for the attacking midfielders in Ibrahimovic during the last 15 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.
Nah it's okay, ignore at the top. Livramento not playing but Guehi and Ampadu playing the whole 90 mins
God I've had a mare, I've Maehle on the bench who I sold. Doesn't play though so if I can replace him with Laimer that would be cool!!
U21: Gabriel Menino, Mitchell Bakker, Phil Foden, Alexander Isak, Aaron Hickey, Michael Olise
U19: Aaron Hickey
--------------------Woodman
Menino----Maguire----Hernandez---Bakker
--------------------Jorginho
-------------SMS-------------Foden
Chiesa---------------Isak--------------Zaha
Meslier
Hickey
White
Pellegrini
Brozovic
Olise
Bamford
A tough trip to Watford today, to take on Elton John’s Brazilian Boytoys, and its an injury hit week this time around. I have opted for Depay up top instead of either Kane or Isak, who are both out, with Chiesa and Zaha either side of him. This is a rapid front-three, capable of interlocking and interchanging to cause problems for the opposition defence. Elsewhere, I have brought Jorginho back into the base of the midfield, as I hope that his intricate skill will help us dominate the ball today. In front of him, SMS and Foden provide the work ethic and quality to link our defence to our attack. I want to see us dominate the ball against Elsie’s unit, with quick movement to pull at their shape, and create space for the fluid front three to do their thing. We have a side packed with pace and power, so should be able to dominate in the key areas, both in midfield and out wide.
Defensively, we have reverted to the back four, with Maguire and Hernandez at the heart of it. The promise of this partnership is, for me, in how they compliment each other. Both are good on the ball, but off it, we can see the raw physicality of Maguire and the pacier class of Hernandez being a great combo. Maguire will take man-marking responsibilities for this game, picking up their main goal threat, and stopping any aerial balls into him, whilst Hernandez will serve as the old fashioned sweeper, looking to mop up any loose play in the spaces in behind. Jorginho will sit just in front of the back three, and this should allow for Meninoand Bakkerto be ascribed some attacking license, with them pushing forward to support the attack. It just means that we shouldn’t be left overloaded on the counter, as we will always have men back. I want to see Bakkerand Meninoholding the opposition attackers in the wide positions, pegging them back into areas where I don’t think they can be dangerous to our goal. A mid-high line should be fine for today, as Woodmanis adept at covering the space in behind them, making it harder for the opposition to exploit.
When moving the ball out from the back, I want to see us playing two-touch, pass-and-move stuff, with the defenders not dallying on the ball, but being presented plenty of options. Mocement will be key for this, so both SMS and Foden have the license to drop deep for the ball, before turning on it and breaking up the pitch. With Woodman and Jorginho also showing for the ball, we should never be short of retention passes, whilst both Fbs are also outlets for us breaking from the back. Transitioning from these areas is key, but that doesn’t mean we need to rush into making the attacking ball, and can instead just maintain posession, frustrating the opposition, forcing them to press high, and tiring their legs.
In the attacking areas, I have gone for a trident that I think can be pretty fluid, with all of the three possessing attributes that allow them to play through any of the three positions in the trident, meaning that rotation across the three of them would be preferable, as it makes it hard for the opposition to track, and means they are constantly placed under an array of different approaches. The main setup sees Zaha and Chiesa operting as inside forwards on right and left, with Depay working as a false nine, and the other two pushing past him, but this can change as the game passes. The attacking three will also have supporting runs from the Fbs, who will provide width with the outside players tending to make runs inside, and SMS and Foden, who will push on and support the attacking players with dynamic midfield runs, one getting in the box to supplement our options here, and pick up loose second balls, giving us a man over, whilst Foden sits on the outside, to kep momentum and pick up; on loos clearings.
The press should be engaged high whenever we lose possesion, and with the attacking three we are playing we feel that we should have the energy and press to maintain this. Depay will work the central defenders, whilst Zaha and Chiesa will look to sit on their FBs, meaning that playing the ball around the back will be difficult. This should allow for us to quickly regain possession. Foden will operate on their deepest lying midfielder, whilst SMS will quickly get back to operate as the energetic box-to-box player. This should buy time for Bakkerand Menino to get back into position, to avoid us being overly exposed.
Substitutions
If winning
Foden off for White 75 mins
Switch to a 3-4-3, with White at RCB, and SMS operating alongside Jorginho
Jorginho off for Brozovic 85 mins
Fresh legs at holding midfield, and quality replacement.
If losing/drawing.
Zaha and Foden off for Bamford and Olise 70 minutes
Switch to a 4-2-3-1, with Bamford up top, and Foden at 10.
Man city vs LIVERPOOL – (4-3-2-1)
Perr Schuurs
Kieran Trippier
Andrea Belotti
Allan
Ander Herrera
Business end of the cup now, and away at the ever improving man city is a genuine challenge. We expect Fan to take the cup seriously with the mancs as any silverware is a good achievement and as the self styled goat he needs the accolades.
………………………………..Jose Sa………………………………
Dumfries………….Botman…….Varane……..Ait Nouri
………………Henderson….Tonali…...Rabiot…………
………………………..Doku……………….Neto………………
…………………………………….Icardi………………………
Subs: Vandevoordt, Johnson, Kabak, McKennie,Gakpo, Stengs, Leao
U21’s – Botman, Nouri, Tonali, Neto, Vandevoordt, Kabak (6)
U19’s – Doku
Different formation to our usual setup to keep fandango guessing on we go, 2 legs, away first up so its important to keep it tight and leave ourselves in the tie for the return leg.
We want control of the middle of the park, we’ll stifle City and force them into going long, and then mop up the loose balls and dictate the tempo.
Jose Sa is undoubtedly one of the best performing keepers in the prem this season, and he’s so quick off his line to recycle play, he’ll be there to collect Lukaku’s sloppy first touch before Romelu manages too good with his foot will look to play us out and start our counter-attacks.
Dumfries and Nouri at full-back will be given the freedom to get forwards and stretch the city team, both are pretty quick and will look to utilise that pace on the break, Dumfries has 3 goals and 3 assists so far for Inter in Serie A which isn’t a bad return, and Nouri at just 20 is showing signs of being a top top LWB at the Molineux 3 assists in 11 league games this season for a low scoring wolves is an excellent contribution.
Varane and Botman are about as good a partnership (potentially) as you’ll get, the experience and know how of Rapha and the youthful exuberance and brute physicality of Botman will subdue whatever strike-force Fan puts out there…. Botman is a genuine match for Lukaku and Varane will be on the SS or runners from midfield.
As I mentioned earlier this away leg is about controlling the middle, so with Tonali at the base, as the deep lying playmaker, he offers a shield to the defence, can take the ball in tight spots from the CB’s or GK, he plays on the half turn (like his idol Pirlo) and than enables him to use that 6ft frame to good effect and move the ball on whilst shielding it with his body, as our FB’s push on he’ll slot back into the back 2 forming a back 3.
Henderson and Rabiot will both go B2B today, great engines on them as they play for the team and not for themselves, Rabiot will make those darting runs into the box and adding his frame into the mixer, Henderson has his critics but he can damage teams from the half spaces that he creates for himself,
This is a solid 3 and City will find it hard to play through us and impose themselves, yes they have Kante but he is only 1 man, and 1 man that’s slowing down and no longer the force of nature he was.
Neto and Doku are very much a half-way house in this setup, whilst they start as nominal twin tens, there default position when out of possession, it sits them right on City’s DM, so they cant just dictate the pace and as I said previously it forces them longer as we have a core of 5 central midfielders/attacking midfielders, so with the entire spine of City’s midfield and attack is now man to man marked.
When we have the ball though Neto/Doku will push high and wide forming a trident with Icardi our flying wingers have pace to burn so they’ll be a real thorn to city with those angled runs of in to outside and then back in again, makes them impossible to mark because who takes ownership? Our FB’s are marauding forwards so City’s FB’s cant cover the run, they can’t drop a Dm back on them as we we have 2 B2B mids causing the over-loads as it is, so the only feasible solution is (that I can see) is to shuffle a CB over to track neto and doku. But then that leaves Mauro Icardi potentially with a 1v1 and you don’t want to be giving him a seconds freedom in the box cos he’s a proper trigger man.
Subs 65 mins
Leao > Icardi, Pace and power through the middle for the final 25 mins against tiring legs.
McKennie > Rabiot, like for like or Juventino for Juventino
Gakpo > Neto – flying dutchman is on for the last 25, 11 assist and 6 goals in the league this season… or 11 goals and 12 assists in 30 games in all competitions
Balanced 4-2-3-1
U21: Trubin, Vanderson, Gvardiol, Lokonga, Musiala, Felix, Szoboslai
U19: Fabio Silva
We play a balanced 4-2-3-1 with pace and athleticism throughout the side as we look to take the game to the the Bees (had to look that up). The lads have had a nice walk in the park last few games, and so are well rested for this tough mudder. Attacking down the wings with fbs providing width, and a strong double pivot in front of the defence. The width from the fbs, and protection of the double pivot giving our attacking midfield trio freedom in attack. A strong cb pairing, with Thiago in front giving a solid base to the side and composure.
Attack starts from the back with two of the best ball playing cbs in the, with the double pivot in front offering a solid spine. Silva starts up top for his high energy in attack and defence, with the pace of our wingers to exploit space he creates.
In defence Thiago presses the space, Lokonga who plays zonally in front of the cbs.
Marquinhos the main man marker as he is a strong marker and allows Alaba to use his reading of the game and pace to sweep up. In midfield, the attacking mid trio narrow in front of the double pivot. Closing down the space, narrowing to the side of play.
The fbs play high in attack, and as they have strong wingers so we look to force them to go deep in order to get the ball or push them wide.
Quick passing and moving to find space in between the opposition lines. Using the pace of our wide forwards and fbs (one bombs forward at a time) to create space as we push forward.
We have cms who can both drop deep to offer an option and collect the ball from defence. Likewise a fluid attacking mid three, who can switch positions or drop deep to collect the ball from midfield. This fluidity will help the players to get away from their markers, catch the opposition out and create space.
As we move forward we get quick one twos in the opposition half. With this fluid front three, the two cms support creating and linking, looking for the final ball or shooting.
Positional structure, in addition to our technical players will be key to our quick passing possession gameplan going forward. Our approach in build up is to play a flexible asymmetric shape, giving bodies on different lines to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition, and space for our players.
————————————— Trubin ———————————
Vanderson — Marquinhos —— Alaba —— Gvardiol
—————————- Thiago —— Lokonga —————
——————————————————————————————
Musiala ———————— J.Felix ————— Szoboszlai
-————————————— F.Silva ————————
Subs. Henderson, L.Thomas, Goretzka, B.Fernandes, Gnabry, Lautaro
Defence
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 gets into a narrow rigid formation behind the ball in position to press the space in the middle 3rd of the park. In this formation we don’t press the ball, we conserve energy and seek to keep them deep. Stop them breaking and make them try and force the ball.
In a narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Keep them from advancing to positions where they can hurt us, by leaving no space between the lines.
When they advance into higher areas of the park and into our half, our shape remains rigid and narrows to side of play.
Silva in the space in between the opposition defence on the side of play.
When they get past the initial press higher up the park, we drop deeper into a narrower tighter formation narrowing to the side of play, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Our fb’s have fantastic pace up against their wide forwards, bide their time, not diving in force them into the corner.
Subs.
Bring on Lautaro for Silva after 60 mins.
After 70 mins Goretzka and Gnabry for Lokonga and Szoboslai
Chelsea
------------------------- Hindrich -------------------------
J.Cancelo ----- Scalvini ----- Bonucci ----- N.Mendes
------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham -------------
-- F.Torres ------------- Nkunku ----------- H.Ekitike --
-------------------------- Haaland -------------------------
Johnstone, Lamptey, A.Frances, Camavinga, Mbappe, Adeyemi, Brobbey
U21 - Hindrich, Mendes, Bellingham, Ferran, Ekitike, Haaland, Lamptey, Camavinga, Adeyemi
U19 - Scalvini, Frances, Brobbey
Playing from the back and quick on the break ie passing the ball quickly from the back, not racing up the pitch from center back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, I want our front three play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers will be able get in behind quite easily as their wingbacks like to push forward, we want to hit them quickly, when we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4. CBs up for set pieces.
Scalvini and Bonucci at the heart of our defense. Scalvini picks up the CF he is a powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Bonucci is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men. CBs up for corners, FBs and Rice stay back.
Rice, he is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick, young and full of energy, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Ekitike will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - Bonucci
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing -
65 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike, Adeyemi for Ferran, Nkunku goes Right, Adeyemi up top 442/424
75 Mins Lamptey for Cancelo, a huge attacking threat from RB
Winning -
75 Mins - Camavinga for Ferran, Nkunku goes RW, Camavinga into midfield, Mbappe for Haaland 451
Drawing -
70 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike, Adeyemi for Ferran, Camavinga for Bellingham 3 like for likes adding extra energy
-------------------------- Bazanu --------------------------
------- Skriniar ---- Schlotterbeck ---- Kamara -------
----------------- N.Kante ------ Ramsey -----------------
Patterson ------------------------------------- B.Chilwell
-------------------------- Havertz --------------------------
----------------- Lukaku --------- Werner -----------------
Travers, Gosens, Alvarez, Patino, Pulisic, Hlozek, Gouiri
U21 - Bazanu, Schlotterbeck, Kamara, Ramsey, Hlozek, Gouiri
U19 - Patterson, Patino
When we don't have the ball, we will press high up the pitch, conceding very little space, Havertz and Werner will look to steal the ball within the attacking third and hopefully, quickly get it to the other two in front, We do not give them any time on the ball and our front 3 prevent their defense hanging on to it too long or trying to play form the back as we pressurize them all the time
If they do get to our half then we have a strong back 3 and double pivot ahead to prevent play through the middle, meaning they will need to push wide, whichever side they attack from, I want Ramsey and Kante to push to that side again to close them down and support the wingbacks.
When we have the ball it starts from the back moving the ball around between defense and center midfield until the moment arrives when a pass can be made through to the front line, there is no rush, if they come pressing we simply move it to the wide areas for them to bomb down the line and look to either cut it back or get a pass into the front two.
Bazanu is our sweeper keeper, he always makes himself big, I want him involved with the defense playing out, if he has the ball I want him to find players especially the wingbacks when we are ready to attack
Skriniar and Rudiger, both powerful boys Cover the wingbacks when they have pushed forward and take the ball out of defense, use there positional sense well as they may be out paced., must do this with confidence, if they lose the ball then all numbers back to cover, if they are being pressurized then a simple pass even back to the keeper and start again, stay wide (depending on what side) to cover wingbacks if they are forward.
Schlotterbeck will press the opposition striker, when we lose the ball he needs to be on top of the CF very quickly, he must intercept everything, but he has the experience to do this, don't take any risks as the CF will also be on him so move it quickly when he gets it.
Patterson and Chilwell, must work very hard, they have great work rate but this must done for the whole game, get down the line, get the crosses in or cut inside, don't worry so much about what's behind you as their is plenty cover, I don't mean forget your defense duties, just play with a bit of freedom, crosses, one-twos, cut backs and all with pace to hurt them.
Although Kante's primary role in front of the defense is to control possession and then start an attacking phase, he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. Take care of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, he will stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat, very good in the air so can attack long/high balls before they get to our defenders. Once he is in possession of the ball nice simple balls to those around him.
Jacob Ramsey has the responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for the front 3, whilst also helping in the defensive third. Also he must use the wingbacks to create problems when they double up. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running he is expected to do and he does a lot. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks.
Havertz to dictate proceedings in the final third, either playing the through ball to the front two or use the wingbacks pass in between the lines and give them something to run onto as the drive passed the defender, making late runs into the box unnoticed maybe and look for any loose ball to have a pop at goal, he, defending wise, I want him to harass who ever has the ball in that area and to the right or left as he and Werner split them in a more 541, get it and move it forward as quickly as possible
Werner I want to be making all the runs behind the defense, a tireless worker always making it hard for defenders, I want him to drift wide and pull defenders away, quick and skillful, look to move out to create an outlet for the wingbacks to use or indeed link with the midfield to get Lukaku away on goal, Lukaku fantastic in the air, so while they aim for Lukaku and Werner, the midfield will be making the late runs into the danger area and with a head start look to get up early and attack the crosses coming in. Again, really put the pressure on their back line with Havertz & Werner pushing wide
Lukaku, he is there to finish off chances created by other, I want him always on the last man, no defending required from him, always ready to pounce, if however he cant get in on goal he has plenty round him to lay it off to, or just a quick pass and look to get into space where he can get his shot off, be it wide or dropping back allowing Havertz and Werner more time and space, end of, he is in to score goals and that is what he shall do.
Captain - Skriniar
Pens - Lukaku
Free Kicks - Havertz
Corners - Wingbacks
Losing -
65 Mins - Gouiri for Werner, Gosens for Chilwell go 343 with Havertz going to the right of Lukaku and Gouiri to the Left
Winning -
75 mins - E.Alvarez for Werner and into midfield to toughen it up
83 Mins - Gouiri for Lukaku and Wingbacks become fullbacks, Ramsey to the left of the four man mid and Havertz to the right 541
Drawing -
70 Mins - Gouiri for Werner, Gosens for Chilwell, Hlozek for Lukaku, Havertz up top, Hlozek to No.10
Watford: Carabao Cup QF Leg 2 (Away to Leeds)
Captain: Felipe
Vice-Captain: Remiro
U21: Pavlovic, Veron, Damsgaard, López, Sandry, Paulinho, Evanilson
U-19: Pitaluga
---------------Remiro
Dodô--Felipe--Pavlovic---Raum
--------Askildsen--Svanberg
-------------Thorstvedt
Veron---------------------Damsgaard
----------------López
SUBS: Pitaluga, Singo, Morato, Sandry, Willock, Paulinho, Evanilson
SUMMARY: This week we go with a 4-3-3 set up although we will be a tad more conservative and operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen) who will be complimented with an energetic box to box midfielder (Svanberg). In front of them Thorstvedt will operate as the link between midfield and attack. This I feel will give us a better balanced midfield and while being absolutely defensively sound with 2 ‘sitting’ Svanberg will also be allowed the freedom (when the time arises) to link with Thorstvedt and attack. I think this set-up lets us link up quickly with our attack while at the same time that little bit of extra cautiousness means it will be easy for us to close the door in midfield with all 3 players as comfortable sitting and breaking up attacks if necessary.
We want to play a nice tidy and crisp passing game. Our aim is to move the ball forward as quickly and as effectively as possible. When we have the ball we will use it wisely and when we don’t have the ball then we will press our opponents all over the park with high urgency to win it back. We want to keep the ball on the deck and attack as a team and equally as important defend as a team. This team is bursting with pace. We will utilise that to our advantage and make the pitch wide and use our flying wingers to cause all sorts of mayhem. It will also be a tool that we use to hit opponents on the counter where we know we can out pace any team.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: We will operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen). He will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. He will be complimented with a deep sitting box to box midfielder (Svanberg). He has a more conservative role this week and while being a little more constrained than normal he will still have the opportunity to bomb forward when the time is right. They will both have to put a defensive shift in and both are very strong in the tackle. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition. In front of them Thorstvedt will operate as the link between midfield and attack. He will be our creator and can find that magic pass to break open a defence and release one of our front three.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Veron and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Thorstvedt, Svanberg and López in to play. They can vary their attacks as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Thorstvedt to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF.
As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
López starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great playing off the shoulder of the last man he is deadly in and around the box. A bag of energy and very strong we will also look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his lightning pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Thorstvedt, Damsgaard or Veron with Felipe, Pavlovic, Askildsen and López to offer an aerial threat. Thorstvedt and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Substitutions: (80 mins) If winning, then 3 like for like subs – Morato for Felipe, Sandry for Askildsen and Evanilson for López.
If losing (60 mins) then switch to a 4-1-3-2 and replace Svanberg with Evanilson and Veron with Paulinho. Fresh legs and 2 attackers that carry a goal threat about them. We will look to their pace and freshness to offer us something different.
----------------Askildsen
Paulinho---Thorstvedt---Damsgaard
-------Evanilson --López
Leicester City v BRENTFORD
u21 = Livramento, Guehi, Colwill, Ampadu, Broja
Livramento, Guehi and Broja are all playing the full 90 minutes.
u19 = Maatsen
--------------------Kelleher
Livramento, Guehi, Salisu, Grimaldo
---------Koopmeiners, Laimer
Berardi--------Ødegaard--------Djuricic
-----------------------Broja
Subs: Simón, Colwill, Maatsen, Ampadu, Saint-Maximin, Zaniolo, Baumgartner
Captain: Koopmeiners
Free Kicks: Berardi/Ødegaard/Koopmeiners
Penalties: Broja
Our defensive unit consists of Marc Guehi and Mohammed Salisu paired up at centre-back, Tino Livramento at right-back and Álex Grimaldo at left-back, with Teun Koopmeiners and Konrad Laimer as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.
This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Koopmeiners and Laimer we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.
The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Koopmeiners can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.
Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.
Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Laimer's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.
With Laimer running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Teun Koopmeiners.
Koopmeiners is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Koopmeiners such a talent.
The attacking unit consists of Domenico Berardi, Martin Ødegaard and Filip Djuricic as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.
Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.
In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.
Once we have won the ball back, often by Koopmeiners or Laimer, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.
Livramento and Grimaldo can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Koopmeiners and Laimer can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Domenico Berardi and Filip Djuricic, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.
Martin Ødegaard, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Ødegaard is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Berardi, Djuricic & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..
Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.
Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.
Sub on 60 mins
Saint-Maximin on for Djuricic
Dynamic pace, dribbling, and unpredictality from Saint-Maximin during the last 30 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.
U21s: Mohamed Simakan, Mitchell Bakker, Phil Foden, Pascal Struijk, Jamie Shackleton, Michael Olise, Alexander Isak, Joe Gelhardt (8)
U19s: Joe Gelhardt
--------------------Casteels
Walker---Simakan----Hernandez---Bakker
------------Brozovic------SMS
Chiesa------------Foden------------Zaha
---------------------Kane
Klaesson
Struijk
Shackleton
Jorginho
Olise
Isak
Gelhardt
We are going with an attacking set-up today, as we need to pull back from the goal deficit. For that reason, we have opted for an all-strength attack, with Kane, Foden and Chiesa all starting, as well as supported by Zaha, who will cause a nusiance for the opposition, in the absence of Depay. We have also opted for the 4-2-3-1, which puts us another player in the attacking areas, with Brozovic operating as the holding midfielder in a more advanced midfield three. I want to see us progressing the ball up the pitch quickly, with 2-3 touch football at the back, hence our use of capable ball-playing players. Casteels comes in for a debut in goal, after the cruel Welshman injured our first two goalkeepers AGAIN ().
Like I said, I want to see us move the ball up the pitch quickly. We can use Bakker and Walker as explosive outlets from FB, but the majority of the play should be sent down the middle, through the double pivot of SMS and Brozovic, before then spreading the ball into the wider areas, and using Chiesa and Zaha to stretch their defence into the wide areas. Hernandez and Simakan are both mobile CBs, with good ball-playing defenders. Brozovic will drop deeper to pick the simple ball up, with SMS playing off him, operating as a box-to-box midfielder. Both Brozovic and SMS are capable ball-winning players, with plenty of combative energy, but I want to see us dictating the possession, and they are both more than capable in this area, too. Walker and Bakker can both get forward and help us in the attacking areas, but not at the same time, with us not wanting to be outnumbered at the back. When either Walker or Bakker push forward, the alternate will slip inside, and we will transition to a back three. Both are capable of playing as a wide CB in a back three, so I don’t have too many worries about this as a conservative form of defense. In terms of defensive set-up, I want to see Hernandez operate as the man-marking defender, sitting on their main attacker, whilst Simakan operates as the sweeper, using his pace to cover the areas in behind, should anyone wriggle away from Hernandez.
When we get the ball into the attacking area, we should have several forms of approach play. Zaha and Chiesa are varied attackers, capable of pulling to the by-line and looking for the ball back across, or coming inside on their other foot, and driving at the opposition defence. With Foden at 10, we have a player capable of operating in the spaces inbetween the opposition, pushing out into the wide areas, or playing just of Harry Kane. Kane is naturally going to be the impetus for most of our attack play, and I want to see him keep himself between the goalposts, where he can be most deadly, without the usual caveat of him sometimes dropping back too deep into the midfield. When one of our WBs get forward, we will look to see the winger then operate more inside, with the WB serving as the wider option, whilst the wingers operate narrower. When we lose possession, we want to see the same high press that we usually employ. Kane will target the opposition CBs, with Foden sitting on the deepest lying midfielder, and the wide players on the enemy FBs. This will force the opposition into longer balls forward, or high profile mistakes at the back of the pitch.
Substitutions
If losing/drawing/winning by 1
Alexander Isak on for Mitchell Bakker 65 mins
We switch to a 3-2-3-2, with Walker slotting in at RCB, Isak moving up top with Isak. This requires Brozovic and SMS to shuttle wider, and cover those spaces in behind.
Wilfried Zaha and SMS off for Michael Olise and Joe Gelhardt 75 mins
Olise is a natural swap for Zaha, operating in the wider areas, whilst Gelhardt goes up top with Kane and Isak, as we operate a 3-4-3. No use not going for the game.
If winning by 2
Phil Foden off for Jorginho 65 mins
Switch to a 4-3-3, with Jorginho sitting in front of the defence, and Brozovic continuing to support SMS in the midfield.
Wilfried Zaha off for Michael Olise 70 mins
Fresh legs, and a substitution to change up our approach and see through time.
Federico Chiesa off for Jamie Shackleton 80 mins
Switch to a 5-3-2, with Olise up top with Kane, and Shackleton operating at RB. It means that Walker slots inside at RCB.
Liverpool vs Man City
Injuries;
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Calvin Stengs
Kasper Schmeichel
Kelechi Iheanacho
Allan
Narrow loss in the first leg, but we’re still in this game, we need to win 2-0 so we’re gonna bring back the 3-2-3-2, control the top end of the pitch, stop City playing out from the back, dominate possession in the final and dictate the tempo.
………………………………………………Sa…………………………………….
………………………Kabak…………..Schuurs………Botman………………
……………………………………Tonali……..Herrera………………….
Doku…………………………………….Neto……………………………..Gakpo
………………………………..Icardi…………..Belotti……………….
Subs: Vandevoordt, Ake, Varane, Henderson, Rabiot, Vardy, Leao
U21’s – Kabak,Schuurs,Botman, Tonali, Neto, Vandevoordt
U19’s Doku
I know it’s a risky setup but this side has all the key components to get the job done, power at the back to silence City’s strikeforce. Tonali and Herrera can control the midfield with and without the ball, the 3 attacking midfelds bring a lot of pace and guile as we look to over-run city in the deeper midfield areas and the top two are a good blend of power and predatory instinct.
Sa is our sweeper keeper extraordinaire, quick off his line to mop up any loose balls and great with ball to feet, so will look for the balls over the top and set us on our way.
Kabak and Botman will go wide but no wider than the edge of the area, don’t get drawn into a 1v1 in the wide areas against the wingers, they cant hurt us from by the corner flag, so we defend the width the box. Schuurs is the spare man marshalling the central threat.
Tonali is the playmaker collect the ball move it on, keep us going to time and rhythm, Herrera is the bull dog in the engine room, good on the ball and better still off it, adds in the ability to get a few goals too, fantastic little player.
Doku is fast, frighteningly fast and it’s that presence in our team that will scare City, can they push on the left flank knowing it leaves them open to his speed on the counter? This helps peg them back and allows our formation to get a foothold in the game.
Gakpo on the flank is no slouch and scores and creates in good numbers, will look to stay high and wide forcing the RB to sit deeper than he’d want…. Again this forces City to sit deeper and allows us some breathing space as well as isolating City’s attack.
Pedro “Baller” Neto came back (IRL) yesterday after 10 months out and in his 15 min cameo showed us what we’ve missed, pace and power, direct running, with him getting the ball deep and surging at City’s defence we’ll wreak havoc with these 3 AM’s
Belotti and Icardi are the archetypal big man little man, Belotti will look to bully City’s centre halves, and create that bit of space for Icardi, Belotti is more than just muscle though he has a great goalscoring record and he’s certainly not a man City can ignore in and around the box.
Icardi is a pure button man, and with Belotti holding it up and getting knock-ons Icardi should find himself enough space to carve out a few opportunities, give him 3 chances and you know Fullwell he’ll put atleast one away .
Subs 65 mins:
Leao > Gakpo, like for like
Henderson > Herrera, like for like
Sub 80 mins:
Vardy > Icardi, one button man for another, Vardy’s pace and running in the final 10 could be a real game changer
Chelsea
-------------------------- Hindrich --------------------------
J.Cancelo ------ Lacroix ------ Bastoni ------ N.Mendes
-------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham --------------
-- F.Torres -------------- Nkunku -------------- Mbappe --
--------------------------- Haaland --------------------------
Sharman-Lowe, Scalvini, Zakaria, Camavinga, Robertson, Adeyemi, Ekitike
U21 - Hindrich, Lacroix, Mendes, Bellingham, Ferran, Haaland, Camavinga, Adeyemi, Ekitike
U19 - Sharman-Lowe, Scalvini
Semi Final time v a very tough opponent!
Nothing changes so, playing from the back and quick on the break, passing the ball quickly from the back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, I want our front three play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers get in behind to stop them pushing forward, we want to hit them quickly and directly! When we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 who will defend in a solid bank of 4. CBs up for set pieces. Mendes, Cancelo, stay back, Rice just in front.
Lacroix and Bastoni at the heart of our defense. Lacroix picks up the CF he is a quick,powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Bastoni is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks, push them wide. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men.
Rice, is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick and tricky, also good for a goal, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Mbappe will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - D.Rice
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing/drawing -
65 Mins - Adeyemi for Ferran he goes up top, Nkunku to the right, 442/424, Camavinga for Bellingham same role, fresh legs
Losing -
78 Mins - Ekitike for Mendes, 3 at the back, Ekitike to LW, Mbappe to LCF 343
Drawing -
78 Mins - Robertson for Mendes, got at least 12 mins to drive down the left putting in some beautiful crosses for the attack to drive at
Winning -
75 Mins - Zakaria for Ferran, Nkunku go right, Zakaria becomes our out an out DM behind Rice and Bellingham
84 Mins - Camavinga for Bellingham
88 Mins - Adeyemi for Haaland
Watford: Carabao Cup SF Vs Man City
Captain: Raum
Vice-Captain: Remiro
U21: Pavlovic, Hauge, Damsgaard, Núñez, Stiller, Larsen, Burkardt, Dárdai, Lindström
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
------------------Remiro
Bradley--Dárdai --Pavlovic---Raum
----------Askildsen--Svanberg
----------------Lindström
Hauge-----------------------Damsgaard
-------------------Núñez
SUBS: Pitaluga, Angeliño, Morato, Stiller, Thorstvedt, Larsen, Burkardt
SUMMARY: This week we go with a 4-3-3 set up although we will be a tad more conservative and operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen) who will be complimented with an energetic box to box midfielder (Svanberg). In front of them Lindström will operate as the link between midfield and attack. This I feel will give us a better balanced midfield and while being absolutely defensively sound with 2 ‘sitting’ Svanberg will also be allowed the freedom (when the time arises) to link with Lindström and attack. I think this set-up lets us link up quickly with our attack while at the same time that little bit of extra cautiousness means it will be easy for us to close the door in midfield with all 3 players as comfortable sitting and breaking up attacks if necessary.
We want to play a nice tidy and crisp passing game. Our aim is to move the ball forward as quickly and as effectively as possible. When we have the ball we will use it wisely and when we don’t have the ball then we will press our opponents all over the park with high urgency to win it back. We want to keep the ball on the deck and attack as a team and equally as important defend as a team. This team is bursting with pace. We will utilise that to our advantage and make the pitch wide and use our flying wingers to cause all sorts of mayhem. It will also be a tool that we use to hit opponents on the counter where we know we can out pace any team.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: We will operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen). He will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. He will be complimented with a deep sitting box to box midfielder (Svanberg). He has a more conservative role this week and while being a little more constrained than normal he will still have the opportunity to bomb forward when the time is right. They will both have to put a defensive shift in and both are very strong in the tackle. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition. In front of them Lindström will operate as the link between midfield and attack. He will be our creator and can find that magic pass to break open a defence and release one of our front three.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Hauge and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Lindström, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Lindström to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF.
As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great playing off the shoulder of the last man he is deadly in and around the box. A bag of energy and very strong we will also look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his lightning pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Lindström, Damsgaard or Hauge with Dárdai , Pavlovic, Askildsen and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Lindström and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Substitutions: (80 mins) If winning, then 3 like for like subs – Morato for Dárdai , Stiller for Askildsen and Burkardt for Núñez.
If losing (60 mins) then switch to a 4-1-3-2 and replace Svanberg with Burkardt and Hauge with Larsen. Fresh legs and 2 attackers that carry a goal threat about them. We will look to their pace and freshness to offer us something different.
------------Askildsen
Larsen---Lindström---Damsgaard
-------Burkardt --Núñez
Man City
------------------------ Bazanu -------------------------
-------- Rudgier ----- Skriniar ----- Lisandro --------
----------------- Ramsey ---- Alvarez -----------------
Patterson ---------------------------------- B.Chilwell
------------------------- Hlozek -------------------------
-------------- Havertz ---------- P.Schick --------------
Travers, Schlotterbeck, Kroos, Gosens, Kamara, Lukaku, Gouiri
U21 - Bazanu, Ramsey, Kamara, Schlotterbeck, Hlozek, Gouiri
U19 - Patterson
A few changes due to injuries and new signings, When we don't have the ball, we will press high up the pitch, conceding very little space, Havertz and Hlozek will look to steal the ball within the attacking third and hopefully, quickly get it to the other two in front, We do not give them any time on the ball and our front 3 prevent their defense hanging on to it too long or trying to play form the back as we pressurize them all the time
If they do get to our half then we have a strong back 3 and double pivot ahead to prevent play through the middle, meaning they will need to push wide, whichever side they attack from, I want Ramsey and Edson Alvarez to push to that side again to close them down and support the wingbacks.
When we have the ball it starts from the back moving the ball around between defense and center midfield until the moment arrives when a pass can be made through to the front line, there is no rush, if they come pressing we simply move it to the wide areas for them to bomb down the line and look to either cut it back or get a pass into the front two.
Bazanu is our sweeper keeper, he always makes himself big, I want him involved with the defense playing out, if he has the ball I want him to find players especially the wingbacks when we are ready to attack
Lisandro Martinez and Rudiger, both powerful boys Cover the wingbacks when they have pushed forward and take the ball out of defense, use there positional sense well as they may be out paced., must do this with confidence, if they lose the ball then all numbers back to cover, if they are being pressurized then a simple pass even back to the keeper and start again, stay wide (depending on what side) to cover wingbacks if they are forward.
Skriniar will press the opposition striker, when we lose the ball he needs to be on top of the CF very quickly, he must intercept everything, but he has the experience to do this, don't take any risks as the CF will also be on him so move it quickly when he gets it.
Patterson and Chilwell, must work very hard, they have great work rate but this must done for the whole game, get down the line, get the crosses in or cut inside, don't worry so much about what's behind you as their is plenty cover, I don't mean forget your defense duties, just play with a bit of freedom, crosses, one-twos, cut backs and all with pace to hurt them.
Although Alvarez's primary role in front of the defense is to control possession and then start an attacking phase, he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. Take care of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, he will stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat, very good in the air so can attack long/high balls before they get to our defenders. Once he is in possession of the ball nice simple balls to those around him.
Jacob Ramsey has the responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for the front 3, whilst also helping in the defensive third. Also he must use the wingbacks to create problems when they double up. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running he is expected to do and he does a lot. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks.
Hlozek to dictate proceedings in the final third, either playing the through ball to the front two or use the wingbacks pass in between the lines and give them something to run onto as the drive passed the defender, making late runs into the box unnoticed maybe and look for any loose ball to have a pop at goal, he, defending wise, I want him to harass who ever has the ball in that area and to the right or left as he and Havertz split them in a more 541, get it and move it forward as quickly as possible
Havertz I want to be making all the runs behind the defense, a tireless worker always making it hard for defenders, I want him to drift wide and pull defenders away, quick and skillful, look to move out to create an outlet for the wingbacks to use or indeed link with the midfield to get Schick away on goal, Schick in great form, fantastic in the air and also on the ground, so while they aim for Schick and Havertz, the midfield will be making the late runs into the danger area and with a head start look to get up early and attack the crosses coming in. Again, really put the pressure on their back line with Havertz & Hlozek pushing wide
Schick, he is there to finish off chances created by other,s I want him always on the last man, no defending required from him, always ready to pounce, if however he cant get in on goal he has plenty round him to lay it off to, or just a quick pass and look to get into space where he can get his shot off, be it wide or dropping back allowing Havertz and Hlozek more time and space, end of, he is in to score goals and that is what he shall do.
Captain - Skriniar
Pens - Schick
Free Kicks - Havertz
Corners - Wingbacks
Losing/drawing
65 Mins - Gouiri for Hlozek, Gouiri to LCF 343
74 Mins - Lukaku for Schick, Gosens for Chilwell
Winning -
75 Mins - Kamara for Hlozek into midfield, Havertz to 10
83 Mins - Gouiri for Schick
Chelsea v BRENTFORD
u21 = Livramento, Ampadu, Broja, van Sas, Lucca
Livramento and Ampadu are playing the full 90 minutes, whilst Broja plays the first 70 minutes 👍
u19 = Maatsen
----------------------Kelleher
Livramento, Andersen, Salisu, Grimaldo
---------------Ampadu, Höjbjerg
Berardi---------Ødegaard----------Djuricic
-----------------------Broja
Subs: van Sas, Maatsen, Koopmeiners, Zaniolo, Saint-Maximin, Ibrahimovic, Lucca
Captain: Höjbjerg
Free Kicks: Berardi/Ødegaard
Penalties: Berardi
Our defensive unit consists of Joachim Andersen and Mohammed Salisu paired up at centre-back, Tino Livramento at right-back and Álex Grimaldo at left-back, with Ethan Ampadu and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.
This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Ampadu and Höjbjerg we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.
The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Ampadu can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.
Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.
Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Höjbjerg's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.
With Höjbjerg running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Ethan Ampadu.
Ampadu is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Ampadu such a talent.
The attacking unit consists of Domenico Berardi, Martin Ødegaard and Filip Djuricic as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.
Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.
In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.
Once we have won the ball back, often by Ampadu or Höjbjerg, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.
Livramento and Grimaldo can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Ampadu and Höjbjerg can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Domenico Berardi and Filip Djuricic, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.
Martin Ødegaard, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Ødegaard is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Berardi, Djuricic & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..
Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.
Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.
Subs on 70 mins
Saint-Maximin on for Djuricic and Ibrahimovic on for Broja
Double substitution - Dynamic pace, dribbling, and unpredictability from Saint-Maximin and a real focal point for the attacking midfielders in Ibrahimovic during the last 15 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.
Watford: Carabao Cup Final
U21: Singo, Dárdai, Pavlovic, Stiller, Veron, Thorstvedt, Núñez, Damsgaard, López
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
Captain: Dárdai
Vice Captain: Stiller
Team:
----------------Remiro
Singo----Dárdai—Pavlovic-----Raum
------------------Stiller
---------Svanberg---Thorstvedt
Larsen------------------------Damsgaard
------------------Núñez
SUBS: Pitaluga, Bradley, Zima, Keitel, Alzate, Veron, López
U21: Remiro, Bradley, Zima, Keitel, Veron, Thorstvedt, Damsgaard, López
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
We want to play a neat crisp passing game at high tempo using our obvious pace to punish the opponent. Our formation will be a 4-3-3 that will allow our full backs to join in the attack when necessary and also offer us the flexibility to fall back into a more standard 4-4-2 when under pressure. We need to boss the midfield from the start and control the game with our own tempo. When in possession use the ball well and try and bring our wide men in to play. When chasing the ball press the opponent with urgency and all over the park. Don’t take too many risks and hold onto the ball. With our creativity and pace we will be able to open teams up. Wait for the chances to arise and take them when they come.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: Stiller will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. Svanberg and Thorstvedt will play just in front of Stiller. Svanberg will be a more box to box type. He will be involved all over and will offer as much in defence as in attack. Thorstvedt will be the midfield magician. Clever, elusive and tricky we will look to him for creating the midfield openings with his eye for a pass. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Larsen and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Thorstvedt, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks by going wide or cutting inside as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Thorstvedt to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF. As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great big old fashioned centre forward. We will look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. An eye for a pass and not afraid to have a go from distance. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his power pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Svanberg, Damsgaard or Larsen with Dárdai, Pavlovic, Stiller and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Thorstvedt and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Penalties: Núñez
Substitutions: (if winning on 80 minutes) Zima for Pavlovic, López for Núñez and Alzate for Svanberg, 3 like for like substitutions.
If losing (on 70 minutes) Veron for Svanberg and López for Larsen. Shift to a 4-1-3-2 attack. López and Veron offering fresh legs, pace and a bit of the unknown in attack.
-------------Stiller
Veron---Thorstvedt---Damsgaard
--------Núñez---López
-------------------------- Hindrich ---------------------------
T.Lamptey ------ Varane ------ Bastoni ------ Robertson
-------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham ---------------
-- F.Torres -------------- Nkunku -------------- Mbappe --
--------------------------- Haaland --------------------------
Johnstone, Scalvini, Iroegbunam, Camavinga, Adeyemi, Cancelo, Ekitike
U21 - Hindrich, Lamptey, Bellingham, Ferran, Haaland, Camavinga, Adeyemi, Ekitike
U19 - Iroegbunam, Scalvini
Cup Final day against a very fine young Watford side, we must be aware of the talent they have and force ourselves quickly and dominate this game when we can.
Nothing changes so, playing from the back and quick on the break, passing the ball quickly from the back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, we must dominate! I want our front three/four play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers get in behind to stop them pushing forward, we want to hit them quickly and directly! When we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 who will defend in a solid bank of 4. CBs up for set pieces. FB's, stay back, Rice just in front.
Varane and Bastoni at the heart of our defense. Varane come in for a start, picks up the CF he is a quick,powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, whoever it may be is very good, they have some very good young attackers, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Bastoni is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks, push them wide. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men.
Rice, is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick and tricky, also good for a goal, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Mbappe will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - D.Rice
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing/drawing -
65 Mins - Adeyemi for Ferran, he goes up top with Haaland to use his pace, Nkunku to the right 442/424, Camavinga for Bellingham fresh legs in the centre
Losing
78 Mins - Scalvini for Lamptey, we go 3 at the back, Robertson push up into midfield, Mbappe RCF
Scalvini Varane Bastoni
Nkunku D.Rice C'vinga Robbo
Adeyemi Haaland Mbappe
(pressuming all subs made before hand)
Winning -
75 Mins - Cancelo for Lamptey to shore it up, Iroegbunam for Ferran and into DM, Nkunku to the right
84 Mins - Camavinga for Bellingham
Drawing -
78 Mins - Ekitike for Nkunku, he goes Left, Mbappe to the right
Losing/drawing any time after 65 mins make the subs
Watford: League fixture 12 HOME to Arsenal
Captain: Dárdai
Vice Captain: Stiller
Team:
---------------------Remiro
Pedersen----Dárdai—Pavlovic-----Raum
----------------------Stiller
-----------Svanberg---Thorstvedt
Larsen----------------------------Damsgaard
---------------------Núñez
SUBS: Grabara, Angeliño, Zima, Keitel, Lindström, Olsen, Burkardt
We want to play a neat crisp passing game at high tempo using our obvious pace to punish the opponent. Our formation will be a 4-3-3 that will allow our full backs to join in the attack when necessary and also offer us the flexibility to fall back into a more standard 4-4-2 when under pressure. We need to boss the midfield from the start and control the game with our own tempo. When in possession use the ball well and try and bring our wide men in to play. When chasing the ball press the opponent with urgency and all over the park. Don’t take too many risks and hold onto the ball. With our creativity and pace we will be able to open teams up. Wait for the chances to arise and take them when they come.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: Stiller will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. Svanberg and Thorstvedt will play just in front of Stiller. Svanberg will be a more box to box type. He will be involved all over and will offer as much in defence as in attack. Thorstvedt will be the midfield magician. Clever, elusive and tricky we will look to him for creating the midfield openings with his eye for a pass. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Larsen and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Thorstvedt, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks by going wide or cutting inside as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Thorstvedt to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF. As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great big old fashioned centre forward. We will look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. An eye for a pass and not afraid to have a go from distance. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his power pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Svanberg, Damsgaard or Larsen with Dárdai, Pavlovic, Stiller and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Thorstvedt and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Penalties: Núñez
Substitutions: (if winning on 80 minutes) Zima for Pavlovic, Burkardt for Núñez and Lindström for Thorstvedt, 3 like for like substitutions.
If losing (on 70 minutes) Olsen for Svanberg and Burkardt for Larsen. Shift to a 4-1-3-2 attack. Burkardt and Olsen offering fresh legs, pace and a bit of the unknown in attack.
-------------Stiller
Olsen---Thorstvedt---Damsgaard
--------Núñez---Burkardt
-------------------------- Oblak --------------------------
J.Cancelo ----- Varane ----- Romero ----- N.Mendes
------------- Declan Rice --- Fr. de Jong --------------
F.Torres --------------- Nkunku --------------- Mbappe
------------------------- Haaland -------------------------
Johnstone, Konsa, Locatelli, Camavinga, Adeyemi, R.Leao, Zaniolo
We really have to take something from this game so
nothing changes, playing from the back and quick on the break, passing the ball quickly from the back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, we must dominate! I want our front three/four play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers get in behind to stop them pushing forward, we want to hit them quickly and directly! When we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and de Jong ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 who will defend in a solid bank of 4. CBs up for set pieces. FB's, stay back, Rice just in front.
Varane and Romero at the heart of our defense. Romero come in for a start, picks up the CF he is a quick,powerful no nonsense player so will stop the threat of their No.9, whoever it may be is very good, they have some very good attackers, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Varane is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks, push them wide. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men.
Rice, is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. de Jong will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick and tricky, also good for a goal, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Mbappe will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - D.Rice
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing/drawing -
65 Mins - Adeyemi for Ferran, he goes up top in a 442/424 with Nkunku going right
Losing -
75 Mins - Leao for Mendes he goes Left, Mbappe up top 343, Camavinga for de Jong
Drawing -
75 Mins - Leao for Nkunku, switch with Mbappe, Camavinga for de Jong
Winning
75 Mins - Locatelli for Nkunku and drop into midfield
83 Mins - R.Leao for Haaland, switch with Mbappe
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Tactics
Page 45 of 78
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posted on 3/2/22
Chelsea
------------------------ Johnstone ------------------------
J.Cancelo ----- Scalvini ----- Bastoni ----- N.Mendes
------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham -------------
F.Torres ---------------- Nkunku ------------- H.Ekitike
-------------------------- Haaland -------------------------
Bergstrom, A.Frances, Irogbunam, Locatelli, Mbappe, Adeyemi, Brobbey
U21 - Bastoni, Mendes, Bellingham, Ferran, Haaland, Ekitike, Adeyemi
U19 - Scalvini, A.Frances, Bergstrom, Iroegbunam, Brobbey
Playing from the back and quick on the break ie passing the ball quickly from the back, not racing up the pitch from center back! Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, I want our front three play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers will be able get in behind quite easily as their wingbacks like to push forward, we want to hit them quickly, when we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4. CBs up for set pieces.
Scalvini and Bastoni at the heart of our defense. Bastoni picks up the CF he is a powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Scalvini is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men. CBs up for corners, FBs and Iroegbunam stay back.
Rice, he is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick, young and full of energy, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Ekitike will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - Declan Rice
Free Kicks - Bellingham
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing
65 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike, Adeyemi for Nkunku, Adeyemi up top, Mbappe left 442/424
Drawing -
65 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike
75 Mins - Adeyemi for Nkunku, Locatelli for Bellingham 442/424
Winning -
75 Mins - Iroegbunam for Nkunku, becomes the out an out DM behind Rice/Jude
80 Mins - Mbappe for Haaland
posted on 3/2/22
Man City
------------------------- Bazanu ---------------------------
------- Skriniar ---- Schlotterbeck ---- Rudiger -------
----------------- N.Kante ----- Ramsey ------------------
Patterson ------------------------------------- B.Chilwell
-------------------------- Hlozek ---------------------------
--------------- Lukaku ----------- Havertz ----------------
Travers, Kamara, JWP, Pulisic, Watkins, Popescu, Patino
U21 - Bazanu, Schlotterbeck, Ramsey, Hlozek, Kamara
U19 - Patterson, Popescu, Patino
When we don't have the ball, we will press high up the pitch, conceding very little space, Havertz and Hlozek will look to steal the ball within the attacking third and hopefully, quickly get it to the other two in front, We do not give them any time on the ball and our front 3 prevent their defense hanging on to it too long or trying to play form the back as we pressurize them all the time
If they do get to our half then we have a strong back 3 and double pivot ahead to prevent play through the middle, meaning they will need to push wide, whichever side they attack from, I want Ramsey and Kante to push to that side again to close them down and support the wingbacks.
When we have the ball it starts from the back moving the ball around between defense and center midfield until the moment arrives when a pass can be made through to the front line, there is no rush, if they come pressing we simply move it to the wide areas for them to bomb down the line and look to either cut it back or get a pass into the front two.
Bazanu is our sweeper keeper, he always makes himself big, I want him involved with the defense playing out, if he has the ball I want him to find players especially the wingbacks when we are ready to attack
Skriniar and Rudiger, both powerful boys Cover the wingbacks when they have pushed forward and take the ball out of defense, use there positional sense well as they may be out paced., must do this with confidence, if they lose the ball then all numbers back to cover, if they are being pressurized then a simple pass even back to the keeper and start again, stay wide (depending on what side) to cover wingbacks if they are forward.
Schlotterbeck will press the opposition striker, when we lose the ball he needs to be on top of the CF very quickly, he must intercept everything, but he has the experience to do this, don't take any risks as the CF will also be on him so move it quickly when he gets it.
Patterson and Chilwell, must work very hard, they have great work rate but this must done for the whole game, get down the line, get the crosses in or cut inside, don't worry so much about what's behind you as their is plenty cover, I don't mean forget your defense duties, just play with a bit of freedom, crosses, one-twos, cut backs and all with pace to hurt them.
Although Kante's primary role in front of the defense is to control possession and then start an attacking phase, he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. Take care of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, he will stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat, very good in the air so can attack long/high balls before they get to our defenders. Once he is in possession of the ball nice simple balls to those around him.
Jacob Ramsey has the responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for the front 3, whilst also helping in the defensive third. Also he must use the wingbacks to create problems when they double up. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running he is expected to do and he does a lot. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks.
Hlozek to dictate proceedings in the final third, either playing the through ball to the front two or use the wingbacks pass in between the lines and give them something to run onto as the drive passed the defender, making late runs into the box unnoticed maybe and look for any loose ball to have a pop at goal, he, defending wise, I want him to harass who ever has the ball in that area and to the right or left as he and Havertz split them in a more 541, get it and move it forward as quickly as possible
Hlozek I want to be making all the runs behind the defense, a tireless worker always making it hard for defenders, I want him to drift wide and pull defenders away, quick and skillful, look to move out to create an outlet for the wingbacks to use or indeed link with the midfield to get Lukaku away on goal, he and Lukaku both fantastic in the air, so while they aim for Lukaku and Havertz, the midfield will be making the late runs into the danger area and with a head start look to get up early and attack the crosses coming in. Again, really put the pressure on their back line with Havertz & Hlozek pushing wide
Lukaku, he is there to finish off chances created by other, I want him always on the last man, no defending required from him, always ready to pounce, if however he cant get in on goal he has plenty round him to lay it off to, or just a quick pass and look to get into space where he can get his shot off, be it wide or dropping back allowing Havertz and Hlozek more time and space, end of, he is in to score goals and that is what he shall do.
Captain - Skriniar
Pens - Lukaku
Free Kicks - Havertz
Corners - Wingbacks
Losing -
65 Mins - Watkins for Hlozek, go up top 343 more direct, Octavian Popescu for Chilwell, a winger on the left
Winning -
75 Mins - Kamara for Havertz and into a mid 5, 3511/5311
83 Mins - JWP for Ramsey
Drawing -
65 Mins - Octavian for Rudiger go to LW, Pulisic for Hlozek go to RW 4231 change of plan
75 Mins - Watkins for Lukaku, run and tiring defenders
posted on 3/2/22
Watford: Carabao Cup QF (home to Leeds)
U21: Júnior, Bradley, Veron, Damsgaard, Núñez, Henrique, López
U-19: Pitaluga
Captain: Felipe
Vice Captain: Zubimendi
Team:
---------------Júnior
Dodô--Felipe—Morato---Gómez
------------Zubimendi
-----Svanberg---Damsgaard
Larsen------------------------Henrique
------------------Núñez
SUBS: Pitaluga, Bradley, Collins, Azate, Willock, Veron, López
U21: Júnior, Bradley, Morato, Askilden, Veron, Damsgaard, Henrique, López
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
We want to play a neat crisp passing game at high tempo using our obvious pace to punish the opponent. Our formation will be a 4-3-3 that will allow our full backs to join in the attack when necessary and also offer us the flexibility to fall back into a more standard 4-4-2 when under pressure. We need to boss the midfield from the start and control the game with our own tempo. When in possession use the ball well and try and bring our wide men in to play. When chasing the ball press the opponent with urgency and all over the park. Don’t take too many risks and hold onto the ball. With our creativity and pace we will be able to open teams up. Wait for the chances to arise and take them when they come.
Goalkeeper: Júnior is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: Zubimendi will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. Svanberg and Damsgaard will play just in front of Zubimendi. Svanberg will be a more box to box type. He will be involved all over and will offer as much in defence as in attack. Damsgaard will be the midfield magician. Clever, elusive and tricky we will look to him for creating the midfield openings with his eye for a pass. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Larsen and Henrique will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Damsgaard, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks by going wide or cutting inside as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Damsgaard to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF. As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great big old fashioned centre forward. We will look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. An eye for a pass and not afraid to have a go from distance. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his power pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Svanberg, Henrique or Larsen with Felipe, Morato, Zubimendi and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Damsgaard and Henrique (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Penalties: Núñez
Substitutions: (if winning on 80 minutes) Collins for Morato, López for Núñez and Willock for Svanberg, 3 like for like substitutions.
If losing (on 70 minutes) Veron for Svanberg and López for Larsen. Shift to a 4-1-3-2 attack. López and Veron offering fresh legs, pace and a bit of the unknown in attack.
-------------Zubimendi
Veron---Damsgaard---Henrique
--------Núñez---López
posted on 7/2/22
BRENTFORD v Leicester City
u21 = van Sas, Guehi, Colwill, Ampadu, Broja
Livramento, Guehi and Ampadu are all playing the full 90 minutes, whilst Broja plays the first 70 minutes 👍
u19 = Maatsen
--------------------Kelleher
Cash, Andersen, Guehi, Tagliafico
-------------Ampadu, Höjbjerg
Zaniolo-------Ødegaard--------Djuricic
-----------------------Broja
Subs: van Sas, Maehle, Colwill, Maatsen, Koopmeiners, Saint-Maximin, Ibrahimovic
Captain: Andersen
Free Kicks: Ødegaard
Penalties: Broja (Ibrahimovic)
Our defensive unit consists of Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi paired up at centre-back, Matty Cash at right-back and Nicolás Tagliafico at left-back, with Ethan Ampadu and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.
This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Ampadu and Höjbjerg we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.
The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Ampadu can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.
Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.
Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Höjbjerg's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.
With Höjbjerg running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Ethan Ampadu.
Ampadu is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Ampadu such a talent.
The attacking unit consists of Nicolò Zaniolo, Martin Ødegaard and Filip Djuricic as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.
Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.
In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.
Once we have won the ball back, often by Ampadu or Höjbjerg, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.
Cash and Tagliafico can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Ampadu and Höjbjerg can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Nicolò Zaniolo and Filip Djuricic, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.
Martin Ødegaard, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Ødegaard is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Zaniolo, Djuricic & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..
Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.
Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.
Subs on 70 mins
Saint-Maximin on for Djuricic and Ibrahimovic on for Broja
Double substitution - Dynamic pace, dribbling, and unpredictality from Saint-Maximin and a real focal point for the attacking midfielders in Ibrahimovic during the last 15 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.
posted on 7/2/22
Nah got my u21 wrong 👍
posted on 7/2/22
Nah it's okay, ignore at the top. Livramento not playing but Guehi and Ampadu playing the whole 90 mins
posted on 7/2/22
God I've had a mare, I've Maehle on the bench who I sold. Doesn't play though so if I can replace him with Laimer that would be cool!!
posted on 8/2/22
U21: Gabriel Menino, Mitchell Bakker, Phil Foden, Alexander Isak, Aaron Hickey, Michael Olise
U19: Aaron Hickey
--------------------Woodman
Menino----Maguire----Hernandez---Bakker
--------------------Jorginho
-------------SMS-------------Foden
Chiesa---------------Isak--------------Zaha
Meslier
Hickey
White
Pellegrini
Brozovic
Olise
Bamford
A tough trip to Watford today, to take on Elton John’s Brazilian Boytoys, and its an injury hit week this time around. I have opted for Depay up top instead of either Kane or Isak, who are both out, with Chiesa and Zaha either side of him. This is a rapid front-three, capable of interlocking and interchanging to cause problems for the opposition defence. Elsewhere, I have brought Jorginho back into the base of the midfield, as I hope that his intricate skill will help us dominate the ball today. In front of him, SMS and Foden provide the work ethic and quality to link our defence to our attack. I want to see us dominate the ball against Elsie’s unit, with quick movement to pull at their shape, and create space for the fluid front three to do their thing. We have a side packed with pace and power, so should be able to dominate in the key areas, both in midfield and out wide.
Defensively, we have reverted to the back four, with Maguire and Hernandez at the heart of it. The promise of this partnership is, for me, in how they compliment each other. Both are good on the ball, but off it, we can see the raw physicality of Maguire and the pacier class of Hernandez being a great combo. Maguire will take man-marking responsibilities for this game, picking up their main goal threat, and stopping any aerial balls into him, whilst Hernandez will serve as the old fashioned sweeper, looking to mop up any loose play in the spaces in behind. Jorginho will sit just in front of the back three, and this should allow for Meninoand Bakkerto be ascribed some attacking license, with them pushing forward to support the attack. It just means that we shouldn’t be left overloaded on the counter, as we will always have men back. I want to see Bakkerand Meninoholding the opposition attackers in the wide positions, pegging them back into areas where I don’t think they can be dangerous to our goal. A mid-high line should be fine for today, as Woodmanis adept at covering the space in behind them, making it harder for the opposition to exploit.
When moving the ball out from the back, I want to see us playing two-touch, pass-and-move stuff, with the defenders not dallying on the ball, but being presented plenty of options. Mocement will be key for this, so both SMS and Foden have the license to drop deep for the ball, before turning on it and breaking up the pitch. With Woodman and Jorginho also showing for the ball, we should never be short of retention passes, whilst both Fbs are also outlets for us breaking from the back. Transitioning from these areas is key, but that doesn’t mean we need to rush into making the attacking ball, and can instead just maintain posession, frustrating the opposition, forcing them to press high, and tiring their legs.
In the attacking areas, I have gone for a trident that I think can be pretty fluid, with all of the three possessing attributes that allow them to play through any of the three positions in the trident, meaning that rotation across the three of them would be preferable, as it makes it hard for the opposition to track, and means they are constantly placed under an array of different approaches. The main setup sees Zaha and Chiesa operting as inside forwards on right and left, with Depay working as a false nine, and the other two pushing past him, but this can change as the game passes. The attacking three will also have supporting runs from the Fbs, who will provide width with the outside players tending to make runs inside, and SMS and Foden, who will push on and support the attacking players with dynamic midfield runs, one getting in the box to supplement our options here, and pick up loose second balls, giving us a man over, whilst Foden sits on the outside, to kep momentum and pick up; on loos clearings.
The press should be engaged high whenever we lose possesion, and with the attacking three we are playing we feel that we should have the energy and press to maintain this. Depay will work the central defenders, whilst Zaha and Chiesa will look to sit on their FBs, meaning that playing the ball around the back will be difficult. This should allow for us to quickly regain possession. Foden will operate on their deepest lying midfielder, whilst SMS will quickly get back to operate as the energetic box-to-box player. This should buy time for Bakkerand Menino to get back into position, to avoid us being overly exposed.
Substitutions
If winning
Foden off for White 75 mins
Switch to a 3-4-3, with White at RCB, and SMS operating alongside Jorginho
Jorginho off for Brozovic 85 mins
Fresh legs at holding midfield, and quality replacement.
If losing/drawing.
Zaha and Foden off for Bamford and Olise 70 minutes
Switch to a 4-2-3-1, with Bamford up top, and Foden at 10.
posted on 10/2/22
Man city vs LIVERPOOL – (4-3-2-1)
Perr Schuurs
Kieran Trippier
Andrea Belotti
Allan
Ander Herrera
Business end of the cup now, and away at the ever improving man city is a genuine challenge. We expect Fan to take the cup seriously with the mancs as any silverware is a good achievement and as the self styled goat he needs the accolades.
………………………………..Jose Sa………………………………
Dumfries………….Botman…….Varane……..Ait Nouri
………………Henderson….Tonali…...Rabiot…………
………………………..Doku……………….Neto………………
…………………………………….Icardi………………………
Subs: Vandevoordt, Johnson, Kabak, McKennie,Gakpo, Stengs, Leao
U21’s – Botman, Nouri, Tonali, Neto, Vandevoordt, Kabak (6)
U19’s – Doku
Different formation to our usual setup to keep fandango guessing on we go, 2 legs, away first up so its important to keep it tight and leave ourselves in the tie for the return leg.
We want control of the middle of the park, we’ll stifle City and force them into going long, and then mop up the loose balls and dictate the tempo.
Jose Sa is undoubtedly one of the best performing keepers in the prem this season, and he’s so quick off his line to recycle play, he’ll be there to collect Lukaku’s sloppy first touch before Romelu manages too good with his foot will look to play us out and start our counter-attacks.
Dumfries and Nouri at full-back will be given the freedom to get forwards and stretch the city team, both are pretty quick and will look to utilise that pace on the break, Dumfries has 3 goals and 3 assists so far for Inter in Serie A which isn’t a bad return, and Nouri at just 20 is showing signs of being a top top LWB at the Molineux 3 assists in 11 league games this season for a low scoring wolves is an excellent contribution.
Varane and Botman are about as good a partnership (potentially) as you’ll get, the experience and know how of Rapha and the youthful exuberance and brute physicality of Botman will subdue whatever strike-force Fan puts out there…. Botman is a genuine match for Lukaku and Varane will be on the SS or runners from midfield.
As I mentioned earlier this away leg is about controlling the middle, so with Tonali at the base, as the deep lying playmaker, he offers a shield to the defence, can take the ball in tight spots from the CB’s or GK, he plays on the half turn (like his idol Pirlo) and than enables him to use that 6ft frame to good effect and move the ball on whilst shielding it with his body, as our FB’s push on he’ll slot back into the back 2 forming a back 3.
Henderson and Rabiot will both go B2B today, great engines on them as they play for the team and not for themselves, Rabiot will make those darting runs into the box and adding his frame into the mixer, Henderson has his critics but he can damage teams from the half spaces that he creates for himself,
This is a solid 3 and City will find it hard to play through us and impose themselves, yes they have Kante but he is only 1 man, and 1 man that’s slowing down and no longer the force of nature he was.
Neto and Doku are very much a half-way house in this setup, whilst they start as nominal twin tens, there default position when out of possession, it sits them right on City’s DM, so they cant just dictate the pace and as I said previously it forces them longer as we have a core of 5 central midfielders/attacking midfielders, so with the entire spine of City’s midfield and attack is now man to man marked.
When we have the ball though Neto/Doku will push high and wide forming a trident with Icardi our flying wingers have pace to burn so they’ll be a real thorn to city with those angled runs of in to outside and then back in again, makes them impossible to mark because who takes ownership? Our FB’s are marauding forwards so City’s FB’s cant cover the run, they can’t drop a Dm back on them as we we have 2 B2B mids causing the over-loads as it is, so the only feasible solution is (that I can see) is to shuffle a CB over to track neto and doku. But then that leaves Mauro Icardi potentially with a 1v1 and you don’t want to be giving him a seconds freedom in the box cos he’s a proper trigger man.
Subs 65 mins
Leao > Icardi, Pace and power through the middle for the final 25 mins against tiring legs.
McKennie > Rabiot, like for like or Juventino for Juventino
Gakpo > Neto – flying dutchman is on for the last 25, 11 assist and 6 goals in the league this season… or 11 goals and 12 assists in 30 games in all competitions
posted on 10/2/22
Balanced 4-2-3-1
U21: Trubin, Vanderson, Gvardiol, Lokonga, Musiala, Felix, Szoboslai
U19: Fabio Silva
We play a balanced 4-2-3-1 with pace and athleticism throughout the side as we look to take the game to the the Bees (had to look that up). The lads have had a nice walk in the park last few games, and so are well rested for this tough mudder. Attacking down the wings with fbs providing width, and a strong double pivot in front of the defence. The width from the fbs, and protection of the double pivot giving our attacking midfield trio freedom in attack. A strong cb pairing, with Thiago in front giving a solid base to the side and composure.
Attack starts from the back with two of the best ball playing cbs in the, with the double pivot in front offering a solid spine. Silva starts up top for his high energy in attack and defence, with the pace of our wingers to exploit space he creates.
In defence Thiago presses the space, Lokonga who plays zonally in front of the cbs.
Marquinhos the main man marker as he is a strong marker and allows Alaba to use his reading of the game and pace to sweep up. In midfield, the attacking mid trio narrow in front of the double pivot. Closing down the space, narrowing to the side of play.
The fbs play high in attack, and as they have strong wingers so we look to force them to go deep in order to get the ball or push them wide.
Quick passing and moving to find space in between the opposition lines. Using the pace of our wide forwards and fbs (one bombs forward at a time) to create space as we push forward.
We have cms who can both drop deep to offer an option and collect the ball from defence. Likewise a fluid attacking mid three, who can switch positions or drop deep to collect the ball from midfield. This fluidity will help the players to get away from their markers, catch the opposition out and create space.
As we move forward we get quick one twos in the opposition half. With this fluid front three, the two cms support creating and linking, looking for the final ball or shooting.
Positional structure, in addition to our technical players will be key to our quick passing possession gameplan going forward. Our approach in build up is to play a flexible asymmetric shape, giving bodies on different lines to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition, and space for our players.
————————————— Trubin ———————————
Vanderson — Marquinhos —— Alaba —— Gvardiol
—————————- Thiago —— Lokonga —————
——————————————————————————————
Musiala ———————— J.Felix ————— Szoboszlai
-————————————— F.Silva ————————
Subs. Henderson, L.Thomas, Goretzka, B.Fernandes, Gnabry, Lautaro
Defence
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 gets into a narrow rigid formation behind the ball in position to press the space in the middle 3rd of the park. In this formation we don’t press the ball, we conserve energy and seek to keep them deep. Stop them breaking and make them try and force the ball.
In a narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Keep them from advancing to positions where they can hurt us, by leaving no space between the lines.
When they advance into higher areas of the park and into our half, our shape remains rigid and narrows to side of play.
Silva in the space in between the opposition defence on the side of play.
When they get past the initial press higher up the park, we drop deeper into a narrower tighter formation narrowing to the side of play, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Our fb’s have fantastic pace up against their wide forwards, bide their time, not diving in force them into the corner.
Subs.
Bring on Lautaro for Silva after 60 mins.
After 70 mins Goretzka and Gnabry for Lokonga and Szoboslai
posted on 13/2/22
Chelsea
------------------------- Hindrich -------------------------
J.Cancelo ----- Scalvini ----- Bonucci ----- N.Mendes
------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham -------------
-- F.Torres ------------- Nkunku ----------- H.Ekitike --
-------------------------- Haaland -------------------------
Johnstone, Lamptey, A.Frances, Camavinga, Mbappe, Adeyemi, Brobbey
U21 - Hindrich, Mendes, Bellingham, Ferran, Ekitike, Haaland, Lamptey, Camavinga, Adeyemi
U19 - Scalvini, Frances, Brobbey
Playing from the back and quick on the break ie passing the ball quickly from the back, not racing up the pitch from center back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, I want our front three play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers will be able get in behind quite easily as their wingbacks like to push forward, we want to hit them quickly, when we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4. CBs up for set pieces.
Scalvini and Bonucci at the heart of our defense. Scalvini picks up the CF he is a powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Bonucci is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men. CBs up for corners, FBs and Rice stay back.
Rice, he is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick, young and full of energy, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Ekitike will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - Bonucci
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing -
65 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike, Adeyemi for Ferran, Nkunku goes Right, Adeyemi up top 442/424
75 Mins Lamptey for Cancelo, a huge attacking threat from RB
Winning -
75 Mins - Camavinga for Ferran, Nkunku goes RW, Camavinga into midfield, Mbappe for Haaland 451
Drawing -
70 Mins - Mbappe for Ekitike, Adeyemi for Ferran, Camavinga for Bellingham 3 like for likes adding extra energy
posted on 13/2/22
-------------------------- Bazanu --------------------------
------- Skriniar ---- Schlotterbeck ---- Kamara -------
----------------- N.Kante ------ Ramsey -----------------
Patterson ------------------------------------- B.Chilwell
-------------------------- Havertz --------------------------
----------------- Lukaku --------- Werner -----------------
Travers, Gosens, Alvarez, Patino, Pulisic, Hlozek, Gouiri
U21 - Bazanu, Schlotterbeck, Kamara, Ramsey, Hlozek, Gouiri
U19 - Patterson, Patino
When we don't have the ball, we will press high up the pitch, conceding very little space, Havertz and Werner will look to steal the ball within the attacking third and hopefully, quickly get it to the other two in front, We do not give them any time on the ball and our front 3 prevent their defense hanging on to it too long or trying to play form the back as we pressurize them all the time
If they do get to our half then we have a strong back 3 and double pivot ahead to prevent play through the middle, meaning they will need to push wide, whichever side they attack from, I want Ramsey and Kante to push to that side again to close them down and support the wingbacks.
When we have the ball it starts from the back moving the ball around between defense and center midfield until the moment arrives when a pass can be made through to the front line, there is no rush, if they come pressing we simply move it to the wide areas for them to bomb down the line and look to either cut it back or get a pass into the front two.
Bazanu is our sweeper keeper, he always makes himself big, I want him involved with the defense playing out, if he has the ball I want him to find players especially the wingbacks when we are ready to attack
Skriniar and Rudiger, both powerful boys Cover the wingbacks when they have pushed forward and take the ball out of defense, use there positional sense well as they may be out paced., must do this with confidence, if they lose the ball then all numbers back to cover, if they are being pressurized then a simple pass even back to the keeper and start again, stay wide (depending on what side) to cover wingbacks if they are forward.
Schlotterbeck will press the opposition striker, when we lose the ball he needs to be on top of the CF very quickly, he must intercept everything, but he has the experience to do this, don't take any risks as the CF will also be on him so move it quickly when he gets it.
Patterson and Chilwell, must work very hard, they have great work rate but this must done for the whole game, get down the line, get the crosses in or cut inside, don't worry so much about what's behind you as their is plenty cover, I don't mean forget your defense duties, just play with a bit of freedom, crosses, one-twos, cut backs and all with pace to hurt them.
Although Kante's primary role in front of the defense is to control possession and then start an attacking phase, he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. Take care of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, he will stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat, very good in the air so can attack long/high balls before they get to our defenders. Once he is in possession of the ball nice simple balls to those around him.
Jacob Ramsey has the responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for the front 3, whilst also helping in the defensive third. Also he must use the wingbacks to create problems when they double up. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running he is expected to do and he does a lot. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks.
Havertz to dictate proceedings in the final third, either playing the through ball to the front two or use the wingbacks pass in between the lines and give them something to run onto as the drive passed the defender, making late runs into the box unnoticed maybe and look for any loose ball to have a pop at goal, he, defending wise, I want him to harass who ever has the ball in that area and to the right or left as he and Werner split them in a more 541, get it and move it forward as quickly as possible
Werner I want to be making all the runs behind the defense, a tireless worker always making it hard for defenders, I want him to drift wide and pull defenders away, quick and skillful, look to move out to create an outlet for the wingbacks to use or indeed link with the midfield to get Lukaku away on goal, Lukaku fantastic in the air, so while they aim for Lukaku and Werner, the midfield will be making the late runs into the danger area and with a head start look to get up early and attack the crosses coming in. Again, really put the pressure on their back line with Havertz & Werner pushing wide
Lukaku, he is there to finish off chances created by other, I want him always on the last man, no defending required from him, always ready to pounce, if however he cant get in on goal he has plenty round him to lay it off to, or just a quick pass and look to get into space where he can get his shot off, be it wide or dropping back allowing Havertz and Werner more time and space, end of, he is in to score goals and that is what he shall do.
Captain - Skriniar
Pens - Lukaku
Free Kicks - Havertz
Corners - Wingbacks
Losing -
65 Mins - Gouiri for Werner, Gosens for Chilwell go 343 with Havertz going to the right of Lukaku and Gouiri to the Left
Winning -
75 mins - E.Alvarez for Werner and into midfield to toughen it up
83 Mins - Gouiri for Lukaku and Wingbacks become fullbacks, Ramsey to the left of the four man mid and Havertz to the right 541
Drawing -
70 Mins - Gouiri for Werner, Gosens for Chilwell, Hlozek for Lukaku, Havertz up top, Hlozek to No.10
posted on 14/2/22
Watford: Carabao Cup QF Leg 2 (Away to Leeds)
Captain: Felipe
Vice-Captain: Remiro
U21: Pavlovic, Veron, Damsgaard, López, Sandry, Paulinho, Evanilson
U-19: Pitaluga
---------------Remiro
Dodô--Felipe--Pavlovic---Raum
--------Askildsen--Svanberg
-------------Thorstvedt
Veron---------------------Damsgaard
----------------López
SUBS: Pitaluga, Singo, Morato, Sandry, Willock, Paulinho, Evanilson
SUMMARY: This week we go with a 4-3-3 set up although we will be a tad more conservative and operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen) who will be complimented with an energetic box to box midfielder (Svanberg). In front of them Thorstvedt will operate as the link between midfield and attack. This I feel will give us a better balanced midfield and while being absolutely defensively sound with 2 ‘sitting’ Svanberg will also be allowed the freedom (when the time arises) to link with Thorstvedt and attack. I think this set-up lets us link up quickly with our attack while at the same time that little bit of extra cautiousness means it will be easy for us to close the door in midfield with all 3 players as comfortable sitting and breaking up attacks if necessary.
We want to play a nice tidy and crisp passing game. Our aim is to move the ball forward as quickly and as effectively as possible. When we have the ball we will use it wisely and when we don’t have the ball then we will press our opponents all over the park with high urgency to win it back. We want to keep the ball on the deck and attack as a team and equally as important defend as a team. This team is bursting with pace. We will utilise that to our advantage and make the pitch wide and use our flying wingers to cause all sorts of mayhem. It will also be a tool that we use to hit opponents on the counter where we know we can out pace any team.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: We will operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen). He will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. He will be complimented with a deep sitting box to box midfielder (Svanberg). He has a more conservative role this week and while being a little more constrained than normal he will still have the opportunity to bomb forward when the time is right. They will both have to put a defensive shift in and both are very strong in the tackle. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition. In front of them Thorstvedt will operate as the link between midfield and attack. He will be our creator and can find that magic pass to break open a defence and release one of our front three.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Veron and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Thorstvedt, Svanberg and López in to play. They can vary their attacks as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Thorstvedt to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF.
As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
López starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great playing off the shoulder of the last man he is deadly in and around the box. A bag of energy and very strong we will also look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his lightning pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Thorstvedt, Damsgaard or Veron with Felipe, Pavlovic, Askildsen and López to offer an aerial threat. Thorstvedt and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Substitutions: (80 mins) If winning, then 3 like for like subs – Morato for Felipe, Sandry for Askildsen and Evanilson for López.
If losing (60 mins) then switch to a 4-1-3-2 and replace Svanberg with Evanilson and Veron with Paulinho. Fresh legs and 2 attackers that carry a goal threat about them. We will look to their pace and freshness to offer us something different.
----------------Askildsen
Paulinho---Thorstvedt---Damsgaard
-------Evanilson --López
posted on 14/2/22
Leicester City v BRENTFORD
u21 = Livramento, Guehi, Colwill, Ampadu, Broja
Livramento, Guehi and Broja are all playing the full 90 minutes.
u19 = Maatsen
--------------------Kelleher
Livramento, Guehi, Salisu, Grimaldo
---------Koopmeiners, Laimer
Berardi--------Ødegaard--------Djuricic
-----------------------Broja
Subs: Simón, Colwill, Maatsen, Ampadu, Saint-Maximin, Zaniolo, Baumgartner
Captain: Koopmeiners
Free Kicks: Berardi/Ødegaard/Koopmeiners
Penalties: Broja
Our defensive unit consists of Marc Guehi and Mohammed Salisu paired up at centre-back, Tino Livramento at right-back and Álex Grimaldo at left-back, with Teun Koopmeiners and Konrad Laimer as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.
This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Koopmeiners and Laimer we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.
The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Koopmeiners can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.
Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.
Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Laimer's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.
With Laimer running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Teun Koopmeiners.
Koopmeiners is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Koopmeiners such a talent.
The attacking unit consists of Domenico Berardi, Martin Ødegaard and Filip Djuricic as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.
Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.
In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.
Once we have won the ball back, often by Koopmeiners or Laimer, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.
Livramento and Grimaldo can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Koopmeiners and Laimer can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Domenico Berardi and Filip Djuricic, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.
Martin Ødegaard, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Ødegaard is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Berardi, Djuricic & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..
Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.
Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.
Sub on 60 mins
Saint-Maximin on for Djuricic
Dynamic pace, dribbling, and unpredictality from Saint-Maximin during the last 30 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.
posted on 17/2/22
U21s: Mohamed Simakan, Mitchell Bakker, Phil Foden, Pascal Struijk, Jamie Shackleton, Michael Olise, Alexander Isak, Joe Gelhardt (8)
U19s: Joe Gelhardt
--------------------Casteels
Walker---Simakan----Hernandez---Bakker
------------Brozovic------SMS
Chiesa------------Foden------------Zaha
---------------------Kane
Klaesson
Struijk
Shackleton
Jorginho
Olise
Isak
Gelhardt
We are going with an attacking set-up today, as we need to pull back from the goal deficit. For that reason, we have opted for an all-strength attack, with Kane, Foden and Chiesa all starting, as well as supported by Zaha, who will cause a nusiance for the opposition, in the absence of Depay. We have also opted for the 4-2-3-1, which puts us another player in the attacking areas, with Brozovic operating as the holding midfielder in a more advanced midfield three. I want to see us progressing the ball up the pitch quickly, with 2-3 touch football at the back, hence our use of capable ball-playing players. Casteels comes in for a debut in goal, after the cruel Welshman injured our first two goalkeepers AGAIN ().
Like I said, I want to see us move the ball up the pitch quickly. We can use Bakker and Walker as explosive outlets from FB, but the majority of the play should be sent down the middle, through the double pivot of SMS and Brozovic, before then spreading the ball into the wider areas, and using Chiesa and Zaha to stretch their defence into the wide areas. Hernandez and Simakan are both mobile CBs, with good ball-playing defenders. Brozovic will drop deeper to pick the simple ball up, with SMS playing off him, operating as a box-to-box midfielder. Both Brozovic and SMS are capable ball-winning players, with plenty of combative energy, but I want to see us dictating the possession, and they are both more than capable in this area, too. Walker and Bakker can both get forward and help us in the attacking areas, but not at the same time, with us not wanting to be outnumbered at the back. When either Walker or Bakker push forward, the alternate will slip inside, and we will transition to a back three. Both are capable of playing as a wide CB in a back three, so I don’t have too many worries about this as a conservative form of defense. In terms of defensive set-up, I want to see Hernandez operate as the man-marking defender, sitting on their main attacker, whilst Simakan operates as the sweeper, using his pace to cover the areas in behind, should anyone wriggle away from Hernandez.
When we get the ball into the attacking area, we should have several forms of approach play. Zaha and Chiesa are varied attackers, capable of pulling to the by-line and looking for the ball back across, or coming inside on their other foot, and driving at the opposition defence. With Foden at 10, we have a player capable of operating in the spaces inbetween the opposition, pushing out into the wide areas, or playing just of Harry Kane. Kane is naturally going to be the impetus for most of our attack play, and I want to see him keep himself between the goalposts, where he can be most deadly, without the usual caveat of him sometimes dropping back too deep into the midfield. When one of our WBs get forward, we will look to see the winger then operate more inside, with the WB serving as the wider option, whilst the wingers operate narrower. When we lose possession, we want to see the same high press that we usually employ. Kane will target the opposition CBs, with Foden sitting on the deepest lying midfielder, and the wide players on the enemy FBs. This will force the opposition into longer balls forward, or high profile mistakes at the back of the pitch.
Substitutions
If losing/drawing/winning by 1
Alexander Isak on for Mitchell Bakker 65 mins
We switch to a 3-2-3-2, with Walker slotting in at RCB, Isak moving up top with Isak. This requires Brozovic and SMS to shuttle wider, and cover those spaces in behind.
Wilfried Zaha and SMS off for Michael Olise and Joe Gelhardt 75 mins
Olise is a natural swap for Zaha, operating in the wider areas, whilst Gelhardt goes up top with Kane and Isak, as we operate a 3-4-3. No use not going for the game.
If winning by 2
Phil Foden off for Jorginho 65 mins
Switch to a 4-3-3, with Jorginho sitting in front of the defence, and Brozovic continuing to support SMS in the midfield.
Wilfried Zaha off for Michael Olise 70 mins
Fresh legs, and a substitution to change up our approach and see through time.
Federico Chiesa off for Jamie Shackleton 80 mins
Switch to a 5-3-2, with Olise up top with Kane, and Shackleton operating at RB. It means that Walker slots inside at RCB.
posted on 21/2/22
Liverpool vs Man City
Injuries;
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Calvin Stengs
Kasper Schmeichel
Kelechi Iheanacho
Allan
Narrow loss in the first leg, but we’re still in this game, we need to win 2-0 so we’re gonna bring back the 3-2-3-2, control the top end of the pitch, stop City playing out from the back, dominate possession in the final and dictate the tempo.
………………………………………………Sa…………………………………….
………………………Kabak…………..Schuurs………Botman………………
……………………………………Tonali……..Herrera………………….
Doku…………………………………….Neto……………………………..Gakpo
………………………………..Icardi…………..Belotti……………….
Subs: Vandevoordt, Ake, Varane, Henderson, Rabiot, Vardy, Leao
U21’s – Kabak,Schuurs,Botman, Tonali, Neto, Vandevoordt
U19’s Doku
I know it’s a risky setup but this side has all the key components to get the job done, power at the back to silence City’s strikeforce. Tonali and Herrera can control the midfield with and without the ball, the 3 attacking midfelds bring a lot of pace and guile as we look to over-run city in the deeper midfield areas and the top two are a good blend of power and predatory instinct.
Sa is our sweeper keeper extraordinaire, quick off his line to mop up any loose balls and great with ball to feet, so will look for the balls over the top and set us on our way.
Kabak and Botman will go wide but no wider than the edge of the area, don’t get drawn into a 1v1 in the wide areas against the wingers, they cant hurt us from by the corner flag, so we defend the width the box. Schuurs is the spare man marshalling the central threat.
Tonali is the playmaker collect the ball move it on, keep us going to time and rhythm, Herrera is the bull dog in the engine room, good on the ball and better still off it, adds in the ability to get a few goals too, fantastic little player.
Doku is fast, frighteningly fast and it’s that presence in our team that will scare City, can they push on the left flank knowing it leaves them open to his speed on the counter? This helps peg them back and allows our formation to get a foothold in the game.
Gakpo on the flank is no slouch and scores and creates in good numbers, will look to stay high and wide forcing the RB to sit deeper than he’d want…. Again this forces City to sit deeper and allows us some breathing space as well as isolating City’s attack.
Pedro “Baller” Neto came back (IRL) yesterday after 10 months out and in his 15 min cameo showed us what we’ve missed, pace and power, direct running, with him getting the ball deep and surging at City’s defence we’ll wreak havoc with these 3 AM’s
Belotti and Icardi are the archetypal big man little man, Belotti will look to bully City’s centre halves, and create that bit of space for Icardi, Belotti is more than just muscle though he has a great goalscoring record and he’s certainly not a man City can ignore in and around the box.
Icardi is a pure button man, and with Belotti holding it up and getting knock-ons Icardi should find himself enough space to carve out a few opportunities, give him 3 chances and you know Fullwell he’ll put atleast one away .
Subs 65 mins:
Leao > Gakpo, like for like
Henderson > Herrera, like for like
Sub 80 mins:
Vardy > Icardi, one button man for another, Vardy’s pace and running in the final 10 could be a real game changer
posted on 24/2/22
Chelsea
-------------------------- Hindrich --------------------------
J.Cancelo ------ Lacroix ------ Bastoni ------ N.Mendes
-------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham --------------
-- F.Torres -------------- Nkunku -------------- Mbappe --
--------------------------- Haaland --------------------------
Sharman-Lowe, Scalvini, Zakaria, Camavinga, Robertson, Adeyemi, Ekitike
U21 - Hindrich, Lacroix, Mendes, Bellingham, Ferran, Haaland, Camavinga, Adeyemi, Ekitike
U19 - Sharman-Lowe, Scalvini
Semi Final time v a very tough opponent!
Nothing changes so, playing from the back and quick on the break, passing the ball quickly from the back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, I want our front three play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers get in behind to stop them pushing forward, we want to hit them quickly and directly! When we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 who will defend in a solid bank of 4. CBs up for set pieces. Mendes, Cancelo, stay back, Rice just in front.
Lacroix and Bastoni at the heart of our defense. Lacroix picks up the CF he is a quick,powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Bastoni is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks, push them wide. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men.
Rice, is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick and tricky, also good for a goal, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Mbappe will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - D.Rice
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing/drawing -
65 Mins - Adeyemi for Ferran he goes up top, Nkunku to the right, 442/424, Camavinga for Bellingham same role, fresh legs
Losing -
78 Mins - Ekitike for Mendes, 3 at the back, Ekitike to LW, Mbappe to LCF 343
Drawing -
78 Mins - Robertson for Mendes, got at least 12 mins to drive down the left putting in some beautiful crosses for the attack to drive at
Winning -
75 Mins - Zakaria for Ferran, Nkunku go right, Zakaria becomes our out an out DM behind Rice and Bellingham
84 Mins - Camavinga for Bellingham
88 Mins - Adeyemi for Haaland
posted on 24/2/22
Watford: Carabao Cup SF Vs Man City
Captain: Raum
Vice-Captain: Remiro
U21: Pavlovic, Hauge, Damsgaard, Núñez, Stiller, Larsen, Burkardt, Dárdai, Lindström
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
------------------Remiro
Bradley--Dárdai --Pavlovic---Raum
----------Askildsen--Svanberg
----------------Lindström
Hauge-----------------------Damsgaard
-------------------Núñez
SUBS: Pitaluga, Angeliño, Morato, Stiller, Thorstvedt, Larsen, Burkardt
SUMMARY: This week we go with a 4-3-3 set up although we will be a tad more conservative and operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen) who will be complimented with an energetic box to box midfielder (Svanberg). In front of them Lindström will operate as the link between midfield and attack. This I feel will give us a better balanced midfield and while being absolutely defensively sound with 2 ‘sitting’ Svanberg will also be allowed the freedom (when the time arises) to link with Lindström and attack. I think this set-up lets us link up quickly with our attack while at the same time that little bit of extra cautiousness means it will be easy for us to close the door in midfield with all 3 players as comfortable sitting and breaking up attacks if necessary.
We want to play a nice tidy and crisp passing game. Our aim is to move the ball forward as quickly and as effectively as possible. When we have the ball we will use it wisely and when we don’t have the ball then we will press our opponents all over the park with high urgency to win it back. We want to keep the ball on the deck and attack as a team and equally as important defend as a team. This team is bursting with pace. We will utilise that to our advantage and make the pitch wide and use our flying wingers to cause all sorts of mayhem. It will also be a tool that we use to hit opponents on the counter where we know we can out pace any team.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: We will operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Askildsen). He will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. He will be complimented with a deep sitting box to box midfielder (Svanberg). He has a more conservative role this week and while being a little more constrained than normal he will still have the opportunity to bomb forward when the time is right. They will both have to put a defensive shift in and both are very strong in the tackle. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition. In front of them Lindström will operate as the link between midfield and attack. He will be our creator and can find that magic pass to break open a defence and release one of our front three.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Hauge and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Lindström, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Lindström to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF.
As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great playing off the shoulder of the last man he is deadly in and around the box. A bag of energy and very strong we will also look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his lightning pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Lindström, Damsgaard or Hauge with Dárdai , Pavlovic, Askildsen and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Lindström and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Substitutions: (80 mins) If winning, then 3 like for like subs – Morato for Dárdai , Stiller for Askildsen and Burkardt for Núñez.
If losing (60 mins) then switch to a 4-1-3-2 and replace Svanberg with Burkardt and Hauge with Larsen. Fresh legs and 2 attackers that carry a goal threat about them. We will look to their pace and freshness to offer us something different.
------------Askildsen
Larsen---Lindström---Damsgaard
-------Burkardt --Núñez
posted on 24/2/22
Man City
------------------------ Bazanu -------------------------
-------- Rudgier ----- Skriniar ----- Lisandro --------
----------------- Ramsey ---- Alvarez -----------------
Patterson ---------------------------------- B.Chilwell
------------------------- Hlozek -------------------------
-------------- Havertz ---------- P.Schick --------------
Travers, Schlotterbeck, Kroos, Gosens, Kamara, Lukaku, Gouiri
U21 - Bazanu, Ramsey, Kamara, Schlotterbeck, Hlozek, Gouiri
U19 - Patterson
A few changes due to injuries and new signings, When we don't have the ball, we will press high up the pitch, conceding very little space, Havertz and Hlozek will look to steal the ball within the attacking third and hopefully, quickly get it to the other two in front, We do not give them any time on the ball and our front 3 prevent their defense hanging on to it too long or trying to play form the back as we pressurize them all the time
If they do get to our half then we have a strong back 3 and double pivot ahead to prevent play through the middle, meaning they will need to push wide, whichever side they attack from, I want Ramsey and Edson Alvarez to push to that side again to close them down and support the wingbacks.
When we have the ball it starts from the back moving the ball around between defense and center midfield until the moment arrives when a pass can be made through to the front line, there is no rush, if they come pressing we simply move it to the wide areas for them to bomb down the line and look to either cut it back or get a pass into the front two.
Bazanu is our sweeper keeper, he always makes himself big, I want him involved with the defense playing out, if he has the ball I want him to find players especially the wingbacks when we are ready to attack
Lisandro Martinez and Rudiger, both powerful boys Cover the wingbacks when they have pushed forward and take the ball out of defense, use there positional sense well as they may be out paced., must do this with confidence, if they lose the ball then all numbers back to cover, if they are being pressurized then a simple pass even back to the keeper and start again, stay wide (depending on what side) to cover wingbacks if they are forward.
Skriniar will press the opposition striker, when we lose the ball he needs to be on top of the CF very quickly, he must intercept everything, but he has the experience to do this, don't take any risks as the CF will also be on him so move it quickly when he gets it.
Patterson and Chilwell, must work very hard, they have great work rate but this must done for the whole game, get down the line, get the crosses in or cut inside, don't worry so much about what's behind you as their is plenty cover, I don't mean forget your defense duties, just play with a bit of freedom, crosses, one-twos, cut backs and all with pace to hurt them.
Although Alvarez's primary role in front of the defense is to control possession and then start an attacking phase, he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. Take care of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, he will stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat, very good in the air so can attack long/high balls before they get to our defenders. Once he is in possession of the ball nice simple balls to those around him.
Jacob Ramsey has the responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for the front 3, whilst also helping in the defensive third. Also he must use the wingbacks to create problems when they double up. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running he is expected to do and he does a lot. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks.
Hlozek to dictate proceedings in the final third, either playing the through ball to the front two or use the wingbacks pass in between the lines and give them something to run onto as the drive passed the defender, making late runs into the box unnoticed maybe and look for any loose ball to have a pop at goal, he, defending wise, I want him to harass who ever has the ball in that area and to the right or left as he and Havertz split them in a more 541, get it and move it forward as quickly as possible
Havertz I want to be making all the runs behind the defense, a tireless worker always making it hard for defenders, I want him to drift wide and pull defenders away, quick and skillful, look to move out to create an outlet for the wingbacks to use or indeed link with the midfield to get Schick away on goal, Schick in great form, fantastic in the air and also on the ground, so while they aim for Schick and Havertz, the midfield will be making the late runs into the danger area and with a head start look to get up early and attack the crosses coming in. Again, really put the pressure on their back line with Havertz & Hlozek pushing wide
Schick, he is there to finish off chances created by other,s I want him always on the last man, no defending required from him, always ready to pounce, if however he cant get in on goal he has plenty round him to lay it off to, or just a quick pass and look to get into space where he can get his shot off, be it wide or dropping back allowing Havertz and Hlozek more time and space, end of, he is in to score goals and that is what he shall do.
Captain - Skriniar
Pens - Schick
Free Kicks - Havertz
Corners - Wingbacks
Losing/drawing
65 Mins - Gouiri for Hlozek, Gouiri to LCF 343
74 Mins - Lukaku for Schick, Gosens for Chilwell
Winning -
75 Mins - Kamara for Hlozek into midfield, Havertz to 10
83 Mins - Gouiri for Schick
posted on 24/2/22
Chelsea v BRENTFORD
u21 = Livramento, Ampadu, Broja, van Sas, Lucca
Livramento and Ampadu are playing the full 90 minutes, whilst Broja plays the first 70 minutes 👍
u19 = Maatsen
----------------------Kelleher
Livramento, Andersen, Salisu, Grimaldo
---------------Ampadu, Höjbjerg
Berardi---------Ødegaard----------Djuricic
-----------------------Broja
Subs: van Sas, Maatsen, Koopmeiners, Zaniolo, Saint-Maximin, Ibrahimovic, Lucca
Captain: Höjbjerg
Free Kicks: Berardi/Ødegaard
Penalties: Berardi
Our defensive unit consists of Joachim Andersen and Mohammed Salisu paired up at centre-back, Tino Livramento at right-back and Álex Grimaldo at left-back, with Ethan Ampadu and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.
This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Ampadu and Höjbjerg we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.
The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Ampadu can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.
Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.
Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Höjbjerg's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.
With Höjbjerg running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Ethan Ampadu.
Ampadu is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Ampadu such a talent.
The attacking unit consists of Domenico Berardi, Martin Ødegaard and Filip Djuricic as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.
Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.
In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.
Once we have won the ball back, often by Ampadu or Höjbjerg, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.
Livramento and Grimaldo can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Ampadu and Höjbjerg can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Domenico Berardi and Filip Djuricic, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.
Martin Ødegaard, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Ødegaard is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Berardi, Djuricic & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..
Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.
Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.
Subs on 70 mins
Saint-Maximin on for Djuricic and Ibrahimovic on for Broja
Double substitution - Dynamic pace, dribbling, and unpredictability from Saint-Maximin and a real focal point for the attacking midfielders in Ibrahimovic during the last 15 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.
posted on 1/3/22
Watford: Carabao Cup Final
U21: Singo, Dárdai, Pavlovic, Stiller, Veron, Thorstvedt, Núñez, Damsgaard, López
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
Captain: Dárdai
Vice Captain: Stiller
Team:
----------------Remiro
Singo----Dárdai—Pavlovic-----Raum
------------------Stiller
---------Svanberg---Thorstvedt
Larsen------------------------Damsgaard
------------------Núñez
SUBS: Pitaluga, Bradley, Zima, Keitel, Alzate, Veron, López
U21: Remiro, Bradley, Zima, Keitel, Veron, Thorstvedt, Damsgaard, López
U-19: Pitaluga, Bradley
We want to play a neat crisp passing game at high tempo using our obvious pace to punish the opponent. Our formation will be a 4-3-3 that will allow our full backs to join in the attack when necessary and also offer us the flexibility to fall back into a more standard 4-4-2 when under pressure. We need to boss the midfield from the start and control the game with our own tempo. When in possession use the ball well and try and bring our wide men in to play. When chasing the ball press the opponent with urgency and all over the park. Don’t take too many risks and hold onto the ball. With our creativity and pace we will be able to open teams up. Wait for the chances to arise and take them when they come.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: Stiller will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. Svanberg and Thorstvedt will play just in front of Stiller. Svanberg will be a more box to box type. He will be involved all over and will offer as much in defence as in attack. Thorstvedt will be the midfield magician. Clever, elusive and tricky we will look to him for creating the midfield openings with his eye for a pass. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Larsen and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Thorstvedt, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks by going wide or cutting inside as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Thorstvedt to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF. As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great big old fashioned centre forward. We will look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. An eye for a pass and not afraid to have a go from distance. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his power pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Svanberg, Damsgaard or Larsen with Dárdai, Pavlovic, Stiller and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Thorstvedt and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Penalties: Núñez
Substitutions: (if winning on 80 minutes) Zima for Pavlovic, López for Núñez and Alzate for Svanberg, 3 like for like substitutions.
If losing (on 70 minutes) Veron for Svanberg and López for Larsen. Shift to a 4-1-3-2 attack. López and Veron offering fresh legs, pace and a bit of the unknown in attack.
-------------Stiller
Veron---Thorstvedt---Damsgaard
--------Núñez---López
posted on 2/3/22
-------------------------- Hindrich ---------------------------
T.Lamptey ------ Varane ------ Bastoni ------ Robertson
-------------- Declan Rice ----- Bellingham ---------------
-- F.Torres -------------- Nkunku -------------- Mbappe --
--------------------------- Haaland --------------------------
Johnstone, Scalvini, Iroegbunam, Camavinga, Adeyemi, Cancelo, Ekitike
U21 - Hindrich, Lamptey, Bellingham, Ferran, Haaland, Camavinga, Adeyemi, Ekitike
U19 - Iroegbunam, Scalvini
Cup Final day against a very fine young Watford side, we must be aware of the talent they have and force ourselves quickly and dominate this game when we can.
Nothing changes so, playing from the back and quick on the break, passing the ball quickly from the back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, we must dominate! I want our front three/four play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers get in behind to stop them pushing forward, we want to hit them quickly and directly! When we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and Bellingham ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 who will defend in a solid bank of 4. CBs up for set pieces. FB's, stay back, Rice just in front.
Varane and Bastoni at the heart of our defense. Varane come in for a start, picks up the CF he is a quick,powerful player so will stop the threat of their No.9, whoever it may be is very good, they have some very good young attackers, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Bastoni is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks, push them wide. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men.
Rice, is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick and tricky, also good for a goal, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Mbappe will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - D.Rice
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing/drawing -
65 Mins - Adeyemi for Ferran, he goes up top with Haaland to use his pace, Nkunku to the right 442/424, Camavinga for Bellingham fresh legs in the centre
Losing
78 Mins - Scalvini for Lamptey, we go 3 at the back, Robertson push up into midfield, Mbappe RCF
Scalvini Varane Bastoni
Nkunku D.Rice C'vinga Robbo
Adeyemi Haaland Mbappe
(pressuming all subs made before hand)
Winning -
75 Mins - Cancelo for Lamptey to shore it up, Iroegbunam for Ferran and into DM, Nkunku to the right
84 Mins - Camavinga for Bellingham
Drawing -
78 Mins - Ekitike for Nkunku, he goes Left, Mbappe to the right
posted on 2/3/22
Losing/drawing any time after 65 mins make the subs
posted on 9/3/22
Watford: League fixture 12 HOME to Arsenal
Captain: Dárdai
Vice Captain: Stiller
Team:
---------------------Remiro
Pedersen----Dárdai—Pavlovic-----Raum
----------------------Stiller
-----------Svanberg---Thorstvedt
Larsen----------------------------Damsgaard
---------------------Núñez
SUBS: Grabara, Angeliño, Zima, Keitel, Lindström, Olsen, Burkardt
We want to play a neat crisp passing game at high tempo using our obvious pace to punish the opponent. Our formation will be a 4-3-3 that will allow our full backs to join in the attack when necessary and also offer us the flexibility to fall back into a more standard 4-4-2 when under pressure. We need to boss the midfield from the start and control the game with our own tempo. When in possession use the ball well and try and bring our wide men in to play. When chasing the ball press the opponent with urgency and all over the park. Don’t take too many risks and hold onto the ball. With our creativity and pace we will be able to open teams up. Wait for the chances to arise and take them when they come.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: Stiller will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. Svanberg and Thorstvedt will play just in front of Stiller. Svanberg will be a more box to box type. He will be involved all over and will offer as much in defence as in attack. Thorstvedt will be the midfield magician. Clever, elusive and tricky we will look to him for creating the midfield openings with his eye for a pass. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Larsen and Damsgaard will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Thorstvedt, Svanberg and Núñez in to play. They can vary their attacks by going wide or cutting inside as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Svanberg may sit a bit deeper allowing Thorstvedt to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF. As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Núñez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great big old fashioned centre forward. We will look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. An eye for a pass and not afraid to have a go from distance. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his power pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Svanberg, Damsgaard or Larsen with Dárdai, Pavlovic, Stiller and Núñez to offer an aerial threat. Thorstvedt and Damsgaard (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Penalties: Núñez
Substitutions: (if winning on 80 minutes) Zima for Pavlovic, Burkardt for Núñez and Lindström for Thorstvedt, 3 like for like substitutions.
If losing (on 70 minutes) Olsen for Svanberg and Burkardt for Larsen. Shift to a 4-1-3-2 attack. Burkardt and Olsen offering fresh legs, pace and a bit of the unknown in attack.
-------------Stiller
Olsen---Thorstvedt---Damsgaard
--------Núñez---Burkardt
posted on 11/3/22
-------------------------- Oblak --------------------------
J.Cancelo ----- Varane ----- Romero ----- N.Mendes
------------- Declan Rice --- Fr. de Jong --------------
F.Torres --------------- Nkunku --------------- Mbappe
------------------------- Haaland -------------------------
Johnstone, Konsa, Locatelli, Camavinga, Adeyemi, R.Leao, Zaniolo
We really have to take something from this game so
nothing changes, playing from the back and quick on the break, passing the ball quickly from the back. Pressurize the opposition with a dominate performance, we don't allow their midfield to dominate, we must dominate! I want our front three/four play quite a high line to force the wingbacks/wingers/fullbacks back from an attacking threat, put pressure on the defense, force them into mistakes and misplaced passes so we can gain control again, Wingers get in behind to stop them pushing forward, we want to hit them quickly and directly! When we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with Rice and de Jong ahead of them just in front harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 who will defend in a solid bank of 4. CBs up for set pieces. FB's, stay back, Rice just in front.
Varane and Romero at the heart of our defense. Romero come in for a start, picks up the CF he is a quick,powerful no nonsense player so will stop the threat of their No.9, whoever it may be is very good, they have some very good attackers, he must look a few seconds ahead so he can intercept any ball coming through to stop the striker in his tracks early, Varane is spare and will look to pick up the AM or any other player that's roams into the danger area, if they get away from our midfield, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, get onto them quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get it out wide quickly, Both CBs comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass longer to the forwards to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks, push them wide. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, only one at a time the other forming a back 3, we cant afford be exposed, they will drive up and down the pitch for 90+ mins, they support the wingers on the outside making an extra man. If either get caught up field I want others to help out defensively and to cover spaces made by our fullbacks, this gives our fullbacks more freedom to make their way to midfield to cover. Nkunku also covers by dropping back to fill in the midfield even just to follow any defender that moves up field or to fill the gap either CM has made by moving to pick up men.
Rice, is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. de Jong will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Nkunku is essential to our style of play, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.
Our wingers are extremely quick and tricky, also good for a goal, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Mbappe will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Nkunku more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.
Captain - D.Rice
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland
Losing/drawing -
65 Mins - Adeyemi for Ferran, he goes up top in a 442/424 with Nkunku going right
Losing -
75 Mins - Leao for Mendes he goes Left, Mbappe up top 343, Camavinga for de Jong
Drawing -
75 Mins - Leao for Nkunku, switch with Mbappe, Camavinga for de Jong
Winning
75 Mins - Locatelli for Nkunku and drop into midfield
83 Mins - R.Leao for Haaland, switch with Mbappe
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