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Player Analysis: Achraf Hakimi v Wolfsburg
(Thread)
(Thread)
SET-UP: Hakimi started on the right-hand side as a wing-back in a 5-4-1 formation when defending and a 3-4-3 offensive shape.
Hazard (RW) and Piszczek (RCB) both offered attacking and defensive options for Hakimi throughout the game.
Hazard (RW) and Piszczek (RCB) both offered attacking and defensive options for Hakimi throughout the game.
DEFENSIVE: As mentioned, when in a defensive phase Hakimi would drop to form the RB of back 5 with Piszczek dropping centrally.
Wolfsburg played quite a narrow 4-4-2 system, with Hakimi often left as a spare man. In the second-half Wolfsburg started offering a bit more width.
Wolfsburg played quite a narrow 4-4-2 system, with Hakimi often left as a spare man. In the second-half Wolfsburg started offering a bit more width.
They were unable to exploit the wide areas due to Dortmund overloading them with the RW, RWB and RCB all back.
Hakimi wouldn’t look to press the opposition in their own half, and was content dropping quite deep keeping a solid defensive structure.
Hakimi wouldn’t look to press the opposition in their own half, and was content dropping quite deep keeping a solid defensive structure.
ATTACKING: When BVB had possession of the ball Hakimi would push into a midfield 4, with Hazard further forward.
A passing combination used regularly to bring the ball out shown below. Delaney’s position was swapped with Dahoud in the second-half.
A passing combination used regularly to bring the ball out shown below. Delaney’s position was swapped with Dahoud in the second-half.
He linked up with Haaland and Hazard when going forward. Hakimi in the first half would drive inside giving space for Hazard on the right.
Wolfsburg did well to cover Hakimi’s passing lanes to attacking players, and was forced to play a more cautious passing game.
Wolfsburg did well to cover Hakimi’s passing lanes to attacking players, and was forced to play a more cautious passing game.
1ST GOAL: Hakimi didn’t have any options so carried the ball inside. Brandt and Hazard recognised the space made on the right.
The ball was passed out to Brandt on the right, with Hakimi staying in the half-space. He received the ball before cleverly laying the ball to Hazard.
The ball was passed out to Brandt on the right, with Hakimi staying in the half-space. He received the ball before cleverly laying the ball to Hazard.
SECOND GOAL: Sancho drove forward with the ball starting on the right, drifting inside as he progressed up the pitch to increase his options. Hakimi saw an opportunity and moved forward up the pitch on the right.
The attacking overload meant Sancho was able to pass to Hakimi.
The attacking overload meant Sancho was able to pass to Hakimi.
SANCHO EFFECT: Hazard’s positioning on the right often left no space for Hakimi to go into, meaning Hakimi had to settle for a deeper position.
When Sancho was introduced, he dropped into the half-space more, giving Hakimi a space and a licence to roam forward.
When Sancho was introduced, he dropped into the half-space more, giving Hakimi a space and a licence to roam forward.
CONCLUSION: Defensively Roussillon and Mehmedi didn’t offer much of a threat going forward which made Hakimi’s job easier.
The full-back played a crucial part in both the goals, and whilst Dortmund weren’t at their attacking best, he proved to be a constant outlet on the right.
The full-back played a crucial part in both the goals, and whilst Dortmund weren’t at their attacking best, he proved to be a constant outlet on the right.
