Tactical analysis proposition : AFC Ajax 🔴⚪️ - Sporting CP 🦁🟢⚪️
Knowing Ajax likes to play short passes on lanes, Sporting tried to take the ball back quickly, block passing angles for the winger, then implement usual vertical projections.
Alvarez is key player in build up. His positioning constrained Tabata and N.Santos to get attracted, and allowed defensive line to step up, sometimes with GK as 3rd central defender. Blind did interesting moves to receive the ball, but Sporting fixed that issue a bit later.
Sporting’s main weakness is when opponent uses lanes to overthrow it’s defensive structure. Gravenberch relocated on left lane in possession to apply this kind of passing schemes, with many moves to disorientate zonal marking from Sporting.
Ajax studied how Sporting use his central defender as #6 in build up. They consequently adapted their pressing structure, to prepare high pressing on Inacio in case he gets the ball.
Ajax pressing structure was suffocating for Sporting, even Tabata’s drop off didn’t help. Sporting’s main force is to anticipate players’ moves. Here, Ajax anticipated well SCP passes.
Ajax double pivot was far more unpredictable than Benfica’s one, especially through its positioning: it can be behind or in front of Ugarte-Braganca. It was quite difficult to mark for Sporting.
That 3-2 pressing structure blocked any possibility for Inacio to behave as #6. That structure, which slide into width, forced Sporting center back to build up very low on the pitch, not a traditional build up pattern for SCP.
The only way to escape from that pressing and progress in build up, was to take risks in 1v1 duals and find zones to progress. Ugarte understood it well to create vertical passing angles.
Densify one zone to find free man at the opposite. This is how Ajax has dismantled Sporting defense, with short passing triangles and after find the player near penalty box w/ a lateral pass.
Same configuration against Benfica: Tabata crosses to the second post, Schuurs looking at the ball and not scan Santos’s run in behind.
Two different approaches in possession:
Vertical progression, Tabata drop off (he made many interesting moves), instant run in behind from Tiago Tomas.
Few passes, but efficient, to prevent Ajax start its pressing.
Vertical progression, Tabata drop off (he made many interesting moves), instant run in behind from Tiago Tomas.
Few passes, but efficient, to prevent Ajax start its pressing.
Concerning Ajax, wingers wide, half space dominance, and Gravenberch-Berghuis ready to jump on lanes to apply short passing circuits
Blind realignment has been fixed with that off ball structure’s change from Sporting (3-2 to 2-4) to mark both Alvarez and Blind, Ajax couldn’t build up with that scheme anymore.
But Ajax didn’t give up, and Gravenberch also relocates on the left lane to attract Tabata and let Ajax implement positional game.
In Ajax double pivot, Alvarez holds #6 position and Gravenberch has this freedom to penetrate in offensive zones and bring numerical superiority.
In Ajax double pivot, Alvarez holds #6 position and Gravenberch has this freedom to penetrate in offensive zones and bring numerical superiority.
The difference b/w both double pivots (red circles for Ajax, green for Sporting) and their positional approach is well illustrated here.
There was a small difference with Sporting double pivot : in low build up, one of the 2 midfielders dropped off to get close to Inacio, instead of staying up.
But Ajax warned it before, they will harass ball carrier so he can not turn around.
But Ajax warned it before, they will harass ball carrier so he can not turn around.
Third warning is the punition: Inacio got trapped quick, no solution, ball loss. That was quick and efficient from Ajax.
Offensive transitions have been successful for Sporting in second half. However, the last pass has been frequently imprecise, even if ball carrier had various runs in front of him.
Even if Ajax wanted to bypass Sporting’s 5-2-3 through lanes, they also could use Alvarez’ drop off to progress centrally: this move incited SCP’ 1st line to press, Gravenberch or Mazraoui penetrating the space created, to attract 2nd line of pressure.
An interesting illustration of how Sporting defense has been jeopardized: Ajax has densified one zone, created combinations, then orientated wide to the opposite.
Because Sporting had many players trapped in that zone, block couldn’t slide properly, and unbalance was created.
Because Sporting had many players trapped in that zone, block couldn’t slide properly, and unbalance was created.
Same here when Sporting conceded 4th goal: stretch defensive line across penalty box to get shot angles.
To conclude, I think Ajax exploited main Sporting’s weaknesses in its system. I have to say SCP made a consequent turnover, many young players, quality ones.
Ajax two games have been a sort of warning when SCP will face opponent who knows how to use lanes to bypass SCP’s 5-2-3
Ajax two games have been a sort of warning when SCP will face opponent who knows how to use lanes to bypass SCP’s 5-2-3
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