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Let's analyze how different player tendencies affected @FCBfemeni's build-up in their 1-1 draw with @PSG_Feminines in the 1st leg of the #UWCL semis.
Focus is on Jenni Hermoso's movement as the team's nominal #9 & how things changed when Mariona & Oshoala came on.
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Focus is on Jenni Hermoso's movement as the team's nominal #9 & how things changed when Mariona & Oshoala came on.
Thread
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In theory, there were two variations off of both players' movements.
Jenni: Lieke Martens & Alexia moving into the striker position.
Mariona: Alexia rotating wider while Oshoala stays up top & Alexia moving centrally - Aitana pushes up - as Oshoala moves to the left.
Jenni: Lieke Martens & Alexia moving into the striker position.
Mariona: Alexia rotating wider while Oshoala stays up top & Alexia moving centrally - Aitana pushes up - as Oshoala moves to the left.
Both Jenni & Mariona served as their side's main hub for link play, but went about things differently.
Hermoso moved more vertically while Mariona roamed across the width of the pitch.
Hermoso moved more vertically while Mariona roamed across the width of the pitch.
You can see Alexia and Martens taking turns in that center forward position, but those adjustments weren't always there. Martens was a little less active coming inside & received the majority of her touches in wide areas.
Thus, while Hermoso's deep movements did have many positive benefits in helping Barca retain possession (aside from that mistake), occupation of the CB's was sometimes lacking, leading to a more plodding style of play, as opposed to when Oshoala came on as the striker.
You can see how the central midfielders are the ones making the runs off-the-shoulder as opposed to Jenni, who naturally thinks like a CM (her actual role) & seeks to drop between the lines instead of looking to pin defenders.
Most of this is purely stylistic commentary & it fascinates me how changing only two players can produce totally different patterns within the same general system. Player tendencies are sometimes underrated when discussing a coach's influence over tactical movement.
But I do have a preference. I like the Oshoala-Mariona thing a little more. Barca are more used to playing that way, ensuring consistent occupation, but it also gives the team more dynamism & options by having a better runner through the center & un-trackable runs to the right.
This is probably why Mariona & Oshoala are starters alongside Hermoso. Jenni's aggressive positioning between the lines & late runs (CM rather than ST movements) as an RCM are the perfect match for Mariona's roaming, which might induce Oshoala to shift over to the left halfspace.
