Analyzing football tactics
Finding the next edge.
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Switzerland drilled penalty disruption and Akanji still changed his target mid-run-up
Switzerland rehearsed disruption before penalties, but defender Manuel Akanji still changed his target during the run-up and missed. Declare a target or goalkeeper cue, set a cutoff, reset at the spot and appeal only when Law 14 is breached.
Alex Scott draws the first presser so Marcos Senesi can play the forward pass
Alex Scott won 176 possessions at Bournemouth and ranked in the bottom 23 per cent for progressive passes because Marcos Senesi played the forward ball from the space Scott opened. The buying club must decide who holds the centre when Scott advances.
Egypt held Messi for 78 minutes because a second defender always arrived first
Egypt crowded Messi until Argentina stretched and sped up the attack. A defender can step out safely when the inside lane is screened, a second presser can take over, the vacated zone is filled, and the far side can still defend a switch.
A five-player wall hides early ball flight and delays the goalkeeper’s first move
A five-player wall hid early ball flight and delayed skilled goalkeepers’ movement by 70ms in a virtual-reality study. Use a wall only when its blocked shots outweigh the cost of the goalkeeper moving later. 1
Spain's right side was De la Fuente's answer to Nuno Mendes
Luis de la Fuente told Spain’s right side to attack Nuno Mendes’ lane. Mendes still slowed Lamine Yamal until his 56th-minute injury, after which Spain’s right-side threat grew and Mikel Merino scored the 91st-minute winner.
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How analysts should measure whether high pressing is creating control or exposing transition attacks11th
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