RETRO TACTICS - Episode 1
AC Milan🔴⚫️ - Real Madrid ⚪️
Probably one of the best games from Sacchi era, great battle between two great coaches.
AC Milan🔴⚫️ - Real Madrid ⚪️
Probably one of the best games from Sacchi era, great battle between two great coaches.
As a reminder, we are in UCL Semifinals, April 1989.
At that period of time, cameras are not designed in a tactical approach, so there were many focused sequences, very hard to exploit tactically.
But here is a tactical analysis proposition of this great game.
At that period of time, cameras are not designed in a tactical approach, so there were many focused sequences, very hard to exploit tactically.
But here is a tactical analysis proposition of this great game.
Sacchi implemented his traditional 4-4-2, Van Basten and Gullit at their prime, Donadoni in that RM position but with the freedom to penetrate central spaces.
The importance of Tassotti and Maldini, at the beginning and the end of many build-up phases.
The importance of Tassotti and Maldini, at the beginning and the end of many build-up phases.
Concerning Madrid, Léo Beenhakker relied on a solid 4-3-3, wide wingers as we could see for classic winger profiles in early 90s. Michel leading offensive transitions are Schuster orientating build-up phase, as wide as possible.
Sacchi knew how Madrid prevent central half spaces penetration. To bypass that solid structure, Milan had to go through lanes, with an automatic compensation. Each defensive player slide from one position to allow Tassotti (or Maldini) to attack one flank.
Close connection between Milan's double pivot was Sacchi's biggest asset : Rijkaard for progressive runs and conducting the ball vertically, and Colombo for his long balls accuracy. Michel and Vasquez had to manmark in any phase.
Goalkeepers were not as involved in build-up as it is right now, mostly due to the fact they had the right to receive a back pass with the hand, and consequently play long balls.
Gullit and V Basten placement were key to prevent ball carrier to switch game zone quickly, and Colombo to get rid of Michel and his constant moves. Madrid couldn't progress vertically.
Always in a purpose to jeopardize Schuster and Madrid's build-up, Donadoni had the freedom to penetrate central areas to duplicate Madrid's shape in mid third.
Sacchi is a man who was unpredictable in pressing due to various off ball structures, we will go through it later.
Sacchi is a man who was unpredictable in pressing due to various off ball structures, we will go through it later.
That was part of Milan's plan : trick the opponent to let them think they will create overloads on lanes, and suddenly apply verticality thanks to Rijkaard offensive moves.
Sacchi is one of the first Italian coaches to apply cover shadows, with a front 2 w/ close distances.
Schuster was locked and Madrid's +2 in build up was cancelled, due to excellent positioning from Ancelotti and Donadoni, both sticked to the line when Milan didn't have the ball.
Schuster was locked and Madrid's +2 in build up was cancelled, due to excellent positioning from Ancelotti and Donadoni, both sticked to the line when Milan didn't have the ball.
Probably the most notable error from RM defenders was to look more the ball than Milan's moves.
This was the game that showed to all Europe Sacchi was not like traditional italian coaches : Milan created passing lines with the ball instead of waiting RM's positioning mistakes.
This was the game that showed to all Europe Sacchi was not like traditional italian coaches : Milan created passing lines with the ball instead of waiting RM's positioning mistakes.
Madrid's main strategy was to use Milan's zonal marking to take advantage w/ high speed from wingers (Butragueno or Llorente) to penetrate space b/w Milan's fullbacks and CBs. Colombo will get forced to jump on Vasquez, so Sanchez (#9) can espace from italian midfielder.
Good illustration here with positioning from Butragueno and Vasquez, already anticipating ball recovery and their passing pattern.
While Donadoni made runs from outside to inside in order to help Milan in build-up, Ancelotti had another specific role : coming inside but to shoot. Madrid changed its defensive approach w/ Schuster as 3rd central defender. However, this incited Carlo to penetrate central area.
To explain how Donadoni penetrated central zone to dismantled Madrid's organization :
1st part : sliding into that green zone, not to receive the ball, but to drag Michel with him. Consequently, Rijkaard will get a passing angle for Gullit.
1st part : sliding into that green zone, not to receive the ball, but to drag Michel with him. Consequently, Rijkaard will get a passing angle for Gullit.
2nd part : Tassotti already began his run in behind, and Gullit already dropped off. Knowing Madrid players were too focused on ball carrier, Milan could have taken advantage so many times with that scheme.
This scheme has been dramatic for Beenhakker to deal with, and he never found a solution to counter it.
Milan assaults were so frequent, always with that diagonal and risky pass to find one of the 2 strikers.
Milan assaults were so frequent, always with that diagonal and risky pass to find one of the 2 strikers.
Yet, when Madrid rarely found a way to get that type of situation, with Michel as number 10, Butragueno or Llorente didn't concretize their excellent moves with goals.
Different players, but always maintain Sacchi's high demand : diagonal pass from Tassotti, Gullit replaced by V Basten in the dropping off role, with one difference : he could also turn around quick and cancel manmarking from Sanchis, thanks to his incredible technique.
Sacchi was a real chameleon. When Madrid changed its build-up (Gordillo-Chendo as central defender, Sanchis at the back to get positional advantage over Gullit and Rijkaard), he pointed out and changed its pressing structure, w/ Rijkaard as manmarker from Schuster.
Unpredictable
Unpredictable
Madrid had no solutions, as I said due to excellent positioning from Ancelotti and Donadoni.
That's why Milan took the ball back quickly : an aggressive pressing animation, varied, and unpredictable.
That's why Milan took the ball back quickly : an aggressive pressing animation, varied, and unpredictable.
Concrete illustration :
To conclude, Madrid wingers have not been served frequently, due to excellent animation in midfield from Milan players.
When Milan had the ball, they provide beautiful passing schemes, many assaults, and scored 5 games.
Great battle, Madrid has resisted, 40 minutes.
When Milan had the ball, they provide beautiful passing schemes, many assaults, and scored 5 games.
Great battle, Madrid has resisted, 40 minutes.
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