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THREAD: Why Chelsea struggled to create chances Vs Brighton.
(Chelsea Vs Brighton post-match tactical analysis)
(Chelsea Vs Brighton post-match tactical analysis)
This thread revolves around the premise that Tuchel sets up his team to:
1) Build play with a 4-ATB on the LHS.
&
2) Build play with a 3-ATB on the RHS.
1) Build play with a 4-ATB on the LHS.
&
2) Build play with a 3-ATB on the RHS.
On the LHS, usually we build play using a 4-4-1-1 that makes use of the following passing diamond as such:
For this passing diamond to be successful, we need a LB who is able to stick to the touchline & complete quick 1-2 passes while overlapping.
This allows us to transition to a 3 ATB ( a defensive 5 & attacking 5 as such):
This allows us to transition to a 3 ATB ( a defensive 5 & attacking 5 as such):
However, against Brighton, this was not the case (due to our change in personnel)
Instead, we built our play with a shape as such:
Instead, we built our play with a shape as such:
Here, Rudiger was our LB (filling the space left by Alonso, as Alonso’s default starting position is up top, alongside our attackers.)
However, as opposed to Chilwell, who is able to link with nearby players to overlap (& make a 5 in attack), Rudiger is not able to do so.
However, as opposed to Chilwell, who is able to link with nearby players to overlap (& make a 5 in attack), Rudiger is not able to do so.
SINCE, Rudiger does not overlap to join the attacking 5, surrounding players usually run back to receive the ball from Rudi.
However, since their body positioning is facing toward OUR goal, when heavily closed down, they have no choice but to pass backwards.
However, since their body positioning is facing toward OUR goal, when heavily closed down, they have no choice but to pass backwards.
This is why we saw so many backward passes, as Brighton did a great job at man marking/closing down any of our attackers upon receiving the ball.
The only 2 players who tried to turn or flick the ball, were Puli & Ziyech, both who were dispossessed quite a lot yesterday.
The only 2 players who tried to turn or flick the ball, were Puli & Ziyech, both who were dispossessed quite a lot yesterday.
A solution for this (and a repeated pattern we saw) was Mount dropping deep (& dragging his markers) to create space for Rudiger to make penetrating on the ball runs, as such:
Upon Rudiger getting into these advanced positions, he formed the following passing triangle:
BUT since
1) Alonso is too slow to run in behind to receive a through-ball
&
2) Pulisic likes to drop deep to receive the ball on his feet.
1) Alonso is too slow to run in behind to receive a through-ball
&
2) Pulisic likes to drop deep to receive the ball on his feet.
It resulted in both Alonso and Pulisic dropping deep to receive the ball from Rudi (instead of making runs in behind)
This resulted in repeated backward passing, as both players were marked and closed down aggressively by Brighton.
This resulted in repeated backward passing, as both players were marked and closed down aggressively by Brighton.
Now onto the RHS.
On the RHS, we like to build play using our default 3 ATB system.
Usually, we build play using the following passing diamond as such. This diamond of quick passing is usually resistant to press and allows runners off the ball, to get in behind.
On the RHS, we like to build play using our default 3 ATB system.
Usually, we build play using the following passing diamond as such. This diamond of quick passing is usually resistant to press and allows runners off the ball, to get in behind.
For this diamond to be successful, it requires 2 things:
1) the peak of the diamond (image 1) to have the strength/power to hold up the ball & link play, together with the speed to turn/dribble out of “trouble”
These are qualities that Ziyech when closed down, struggles with.
1) the peak of the diamond (image 1) to have the strength/power to hold up the ball & link play, together with the speed to turn/dribble out of “trouble”
These are qualities that Ziyech when closed down, struggles with.
2) Another aspect that is needed (to allow Jorgi to remain deep in front the CBs)
is for our other no.6 to roam forward to provide another passing option for the peak of our diamond.
Thus allowing us to have 2 players who can release the ball to our attackers
is for our other no.6 to roam forward to provide another passing option for the peak of our diamond.
Thus allowing us to have 2 players who can release the ball to our attackers
Unfortunately, against Brighton, we did not have the personnel for this as:
1) Ziyech got over powered and dispossessed easily at the peak of the diamond (at RAM)
And
1) Ziyech got over powered and dispossessed easily at the peak of the diamond (at RAM)
And
2) Mount dropped deep in front our CBs, instead of roaming forward to be alongside our RAM.
Therefore, this forced Jorgi to try to turn and dribble forward under pressure.
Aspects that Jorgi isn’t suited for, thus occasionally losing the ball in dangerous positions.
Therefore, this forced Jorgi to try to turn and dribble forward under pressure.
Aspects that Jorgi isn’t suited for, thus occasionally losing the ball in dangerous positions.
In the 2nd half, we tried to fix this problem, by setting up as such:
Allowing AC to roam forward as a RB to form a passing triangle with RJ and Hakim. (Similar to what Rudi did as LB)
While Jorgi dropped back, and filled the space AC left.
Allowing AC to roam forward as a RB to form a passing triangle with RJ and Hakim. (Similar to what Rudi did as LB)
While Jorgi dropped back, and filled the space AC left.
However, the same problem occurred as with Rudi at LB.
Both Hakim & RJ do not possess the pace to always run in behind for through balls from the RHS. (As opposed to a CHO or Pulisic)
Both Hakim & RJ do not possess the pace to always run in behind for through balls from the RHS. (As opposed to a CHO or Pulisic)
Thus, both Hakim and RJ dropped deep to collect the ball from AC.
Since both players were closed down quickly and not allowed to turn, they were either dispossessed or resorted to back/sideways passes.
Since both players were closed down quickly and not allowed to turn, they were either dispossessed or resorted to back/sideways passes.
Tuchel tried to change this late in the 2nd half, by bringing on CHO who is able to overlap and get crosses into box to Giroud,
But unfortunately, Giroud did not take the half-chances he got.
But unfortunately, Giroud did not take the half-chances he got.
All in all, it’s a tough result to swallow as we always seem to be unable to capitalize when rival teams drop points.
However, this match gave us a lot to learn and think about going forward!
However, this match gave us a lot to learn and think about going forward!
Thank you all for reading another one of my threads! I appreciate you all.
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