A THREAD | #ajaxpsv - analyzing Ajax's chance creation methods.
I wrote about the ways in which Ajax varied their mechanisms for generating penetrative opportunities while conforming to their basic principles - "minimum width," "off-the-ball runs," "several 10s,' and the like.
I wrote about the ways in which Ajax varied their mechanisms for generating penetrative opportunities while conforming to their basic principles - "minimum width," "off-the-ball runs," "several 10s,' and the like.
Dusan Tadic's five-fingered-gesture spells out the scoreline: Ajax 5-0 PSV
"... Our way of playing football always suits PSV, but we will not change that," Erik Ten Hag explained, in a press conference ahead of De Topper. "We hate losing, so it's payback time."
Indeed, it was.
"... Our way of playing football always suits PSV, but we will not change that," Erik Ten Hag explained, in a press conference ahead of De Topper. "We hate losing, so it's payback time."
Indeed, it was.
In the first 15 minutes of the game, PSV looked more likely to be the first to inscribe the scoreboard with their names, as they found a way to isolate Martinez against Vinicius on a couple of occasions, to utilize the latter's aerial superiority.
But that didn't last for long.
But that didn't last for long.
ANALYSIS.
The GK doesn't have any safe options, but his pass was deliberate - he played it into an area of high concentration in which Ajax were in a favourable position to win the second ball. Shortly after, they switched the play to attack the underloaded side.
The GK doesn't have any safe options, but his pass was deliberate - he played it into an area of high concentration in which Ajax were in a favourable position to win the second ball. Shortly after, they switched the play to attack the underloaded side.
- Alvarez drags Zahavi inside and gestures "attack the space" that opened up
- As a result, Martinez has time and space
- Gotze is unsure of what to do, leaving the passing lane open
- Blind receives the ball behind the 1st line
- Teammates are present in b/w the DEF-MID lines.
- As a result, Martinez has time and space
- Gotze is unsure of what to do, leaving the passing lane open
- Blind receives the ball behind the 1st line
- Teammates are present in b/w the DEF-MID lines.
Ajax in the MID third (3-2-5). Blind and Alvarez spaced apart to create an opening, & Gravenberch dropped into it; the CB was pinned by Haller. Martinez accesses (ability) the mid, whose attempt to lay off was imperfect. The move broke down, but root cause is Haller's positioning
Context: PSV's structure is a bit disorganised b/c they were repositioning after an A-D transition, but nevertheless, the principles are evident.
• 2-2 rest defence
• Numerical superiority over opp defence (5v4)
• The free man's potential to act as the 3rd man
• Single width
• 2-2 rest defence
• Numerical superiority over opp defence (5v4)
• The free man's potential to act as the 3rd man
• Single width
Ajax are well versed in the techniques of speeding up the play. Their players make subtle adjustments to great effect. Notice Mazraoui's movements secs before he got the ball.
Other points:
• Anthony's third man run and gravity
• The underlapping run
Other points:
• Anthony's third man run and gravity
• The underlapping run
• Alvarez drops deep between the CBs to aid horizontal passing
• Results in PSV's 1st line of pressure becoming narrow
• The LCB is consequently afforded time and space
• Blind's adv positioning promises a progressive option
• Tadic attacks seam
• Results in PSV's 1st line of pressure becoming narrow
• The LCB is consequently afforded time and space
• Blind's adv positioning promises a progressive option
• Tadic attacks seam
• A switch of play (I suspect): an important tool to destabilize a DEF block
• Movements b/w the lines: Tadic's diagonal run outside dragged the RB and RCB out of position, while Haller occupied the LCB
• Berghuis attacked the vacated space (3rd man)
• Movements b/w the lines: Tadic's diagonal run outside dragged the RB and RCB out of position, while Haller occupied the LCB
• Berghuis attacked the vacated space (3rd man)
The similarities b/w this sequence of play - along with many others, see the 2nd and 7th tweet in the analysis - and the 1st goal.
• Positional rotations
• Width to stretch backline horizontally
• Third man run to attack the space b/w RB and RCB
• Efforts to play a cutback
• Positional rotations
• Width to stretch backline horizontally
• Third man run to attack the space b/w RB and RCB
• Efforts to play a cutback
A few weeks ago, Nagelsmann reiterated the importance of keeping "short distances between players" IP, stressing that it provides the framework for counter-pressing.
It also paves the way for the consolidation of possession upon recovery. Good example:
It also paves the way for the consolidation of possession upon recovery. Good example:
Ajax overloaded the right HS (5v4), which necessitated the shifting of PSV's 2 banks of 4, with the exception of Mwene, who kept a wary eye on Blind (observe the change in his side-on stance from "inside" to "down the line") when Blind waved for a pass.
• Gravenberch's decoy run unblocked the passing angle to Tadic
• Blind springs forward on the underlap
• Tadic shields the ball well and draws on his passing ability
• Haller dashed for the near post, & an unobstructed path for a cutback emerged.
• Blind springs forward on the underlap
• Tadic shields the ball well and draws on his passing ability
• Haller dashed for the near post, & an unobstructed path for a cutback emerged.
Gravity is abstract, but it can be observed - as in this instance. One of its properties is relativity - what registers as a serious threat in one player, may not inspire the same feeling in another, with regards to their abilities and awareness.
Anthony is feared in Eredevisie
Anthony is feared in Eredevisie
Alvarez dropped into the CB slot, allowing Timber to play higher.
• Wide triangle
• Mazraoui's occupation of the right HS drags Max and Bruma inside
• Ajax gain a positional advantage (Anthony free)
• The RB then made an underlap to the assist zone (give-and-go executed)
• Wide triangle
• Mazraoui's occupation of the right HS drags Max and Bruma inside
• Ajax gain a positional advantage (Anthony free)
• The RB then made an underlap to the assist zone (give-and-go executed)
Ten Haag revealed in an interview that he works on throw-ins. This could be a by-product of the training ground.
• The taker and Tadic form the base of the triangle
• Gravenberch (3rd man) starts his run early
• Opp RB couldn't stop his advance owing to Tadic's presence
• The taker and Tadic form the base of the triangle
• Gravenberch (3rd man) starts his run early
• Opp RB couldn't stop his advance owing to Tadic's presence
THE END.
It's my second attempt at analyzing a match in a thread format.
How would you have gone about doing this? What is one thing I can do better next time? Did I do anything specifically well? Actionable feedback is appreciated.
It's my second attempt at analyzing a match in a thread format.
How would you have gone about doing this? What is one thing I can do better next time? Did I do anything specifically well? Actionable feedback is appreciated.
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