Aus Tactics

It's leaving the far-side Hiroshima wingback in a lot of open space, mainly exploited on the left so far.

Some gaps appearing in City's 4-3-3 press against Hiroshima's in-possession 3-4-3.

— City's front 3 focused on the 3 CB's
— Midfielders maintaining central compactness
— Defensive line pinned by the 3 forwards (+1)

While he's only been in the job a matter of days, some tweaks are already there.

With the demands of 3 games per week, and while he's still learning about the personnel he has to work with, it might be a while before we see Ange's principles fully implemented.

Nuno's idea was for the first pressing line, usually Wood and Gibbs-White, to screen central access through the #6's and force play wide.

So far with Ange, he wants Wood to curve his runs and pressure the CB's, while the midfielders screen the #6's.

Another example came not long after, when Arsenal moved the ball backwards before progressing against the momentum of the Forest midfield.

Arsenal's rotations and movements consistently took advantage not only of the space vacated, but also to drag their markers into suboptimal defensive areas, stretching Forest's shape.

Forest's line of engagement was higher than in previous weeks, as they looked to disrupt Arsenal's build-up with the midfielders being more man-oriented.

This opens up large spaces between the lines while the defensive line stays zonal, and it can also isolate one of the #6's (Anderson above).

Tough first assignment for Ange, but it's already evident that his Forest team will be more aggressive out of possession compared to what he inherited from Nuno.

We can only dream of this fresh forward line in a Socceroos team that applies more pressure to the ball high and controls more of the game in the opposition's half.

Stoked for Mo Toure, took his chances nicely.

When Just was able to pin Silvera, it afforded De Vries plenty of time on the ball in the space around the midfield line before they were able to shift across horizontally.

When Silvera was able to coordinate jumping to De Vries, it left Circati occupying RB/RWB areas.

Back 5 deficiencies.

Most of the Socceroos positive play has been down the left-hand side.

Partly due to Hrustic occupying central #10 areas while building play in their own half (minimising an option on the right), mainly due to Bos being a unicorn.

If your line of press is bypassed, or you are beaten individually, your job isn’t over.

Back pressing still creates pressure on the opponent’s decisions and reduces the time they have on the ball, while also forcing them toward a particular side through the direction of your pressure.

With the GK's involvement and the CB's pushed wider, it means the Auckland #9's have more ground to cover.

Brimmer jumping to the #6 allows more freedom for the #9's to put pressure on the CB's.

With the ball in these areas, Heidelberg should be looking to exploit the space vacated by Brimmer jumping to Aidara (#6 > #6), as it leaves Gallegos isolated.

Or, like other set-piece scenarios, take it before the opponent has time to get into shape.

No offsides from goal kicks.

Wouldn't mind seeing a bit more experimentation this season with the 'bunch and launch' goal kick.

Sacrifice a second-ball scrapper to occupy a wider area for a quick third-ball release, most likely a winger who can cover ground quickly.

The opponent sends a fullback to cover? Great, send two.

Communication through movement.

Movement through principles.

Principle: overload the centre.
— wingers movement inside is the (non-verbal) cue for the fullback to move high
— differing personnel/dynamics depending on the location of the ball and phase of play

Blend guidelines with responsibility.

— Pin/invert (fullbacks)
— Stretch (centre-backs)
— Dictate (#6/#8)

Ball-players in central areas facing forwards, dictating progression.

Space is created for a simple third-man combination and 2 passes can potentially bypass the front 4 players.

— Move and REACT as a collective.

In this moment the #9 jumps to the CB on the ball and his teammates only respond reactively (after the pass is played), instead of jumping/shifting simultaneously.

If a player jumps to apply pressure to the ball and his teammates don't react at the same time, they will stretch their own shape and create gaps for the opposition to play through. It can get even uglier if 2-3 players jump and those behind don't follow.

Defensive pressure can be simplified into:
→ everyone goes
OR
→ everyone stays

Losing the ball isn't the biggest mistake.

Not reacting with intent is.

John Anastasiadis has his Heidelberg side locked in.

11 seconds after a turnover and an unsuccessful counter-press, they are back in their compact mid-block, nullifying any transitional threat.

Sprinting, aggressiveness, fulfilling individual roles and collective principles.

You will sacrifice some possession by leaving your #9 in a 1v3, but this can help nullify the opposition’s most dangerous players while maintaining compact distances for ball recoveries.

→ Force wide, fullback and winger can double up defensively while the block shifts across
→ If the ball is won in midfield, the wingers can spring forward into space

4-5-1 out of possession shape can be an effective mid/low-block strategy against teams that box their midfield, or just dual #10's in general.

It allows 2 central midfielders to block the half-space lane into the #10's, while the central #6 prevents any access directly into the #9.

Consistently leave these areas free and the opposition will look to exploit with blindside runs off the FB, or runs from deep.

When doubling/tripling up in wide areas, the far side #6 needs to have the awareness to cover the half-space, while the more advanced far side players drop and shift across accordingly.

— Drop and drag

— Play between or play beyond