⚪️ After analyzing 45 Real Madrid games, and 2 months spent on elaborating tactical trends, studying a football oneness between two great players, I am thrilled to announce my most accomplished work :
Benzema - Vinicius 2021-2022, a Tactical History
[THREAD]
Benzema - Vinicius 2021-2022, a Tactical History
[THREAD]
I will classify that thread in four major parts which showcase four key steps of that Benzema-Vinicius tactical evolution, and how Ancelotti utilized it to maximize his game identity.
I. MOVES IN TRANSITION
I. MOVES IN TRANSITION
At the beginning of the season, Ancelotti started to search the perfect formula in transition, and tried to polish the perfect balance concerning Benzema and Vinicius moves.That repetitive pattern in moves from both forwards : Benzema on the left, Vinicius inverting his position.
Ancelotti’s objective was to maximize his transitional game in many ways, as long as passing schemes were efficient. During the first 10 games, we could have seen many basic situations like this one, without concrete results.
Then, we saw another pattern which will be the most repeated one : Benzema’s drop-off to receive, and automatically target Vinicius’s run in behind.
Center forwards doing drop-offs in transition isn’t a traditional striker’s reflex. However, Benzema particularly enjoys it, because it attracts central defenders, and thanks to his passing skills, could target Vinicius in one touch.
We will dissect it later, but distances between KB9 and Vini is correlated to their location compared to the goalkeeper.
At the beginning of transitions, they step aside, but in a strategic purpose : take advantage from wrong defense alignment to maximize both player qualities
At the beginning of transitions, they step aside, but in a strategic purpose : take advantage from wrong defense alignment to maximize both player qualities
First one, Benzema’s science of anticipating his teammates runs. Second one, Vinicius’s devastating runs in behind, and huge progress he’s made in the timing of his runs.
The more RM offensive transitions were close to penalty box, the closer were distances between Benzema and Vinicius. KB9 intelligence in his moves near penalty box helped Vinicius to create chances. First move : diagonal run to attract defender and open a shot window for Vini
Second move, Benzema stands as a pivot in penalty box to lure the opponent and constrain him to apply zonal marking (to avoid potential short passing circuit risk). Vinicius could also eliminate his opponent without complications.
Other aspect in transition, Vincius tended to curve his move in direction of central spaces, and Benzema taking depth on the right side of penalty box. It frequently provoked many dangerous situations.
II. THE RELATION IN PRESSING STRUCTURE
As Real Madrid pressing structure was coordinated and processed, Benzema and Vinicius moves were strongly linked to the pressing phase, that’s why I didn’t see influence on the structure.
As Real Madrid pressing structure was coordinated and processed, Benzema and Vinicius moves were strongly linked to the pressing phase, that’s why I didn’t see influence on the structure.
III. MOVES AND PASSING CIRCUITS IN THE LEFT SPACE
For every one who watched Real Madrid regularly this season, Ancelotti perfected the occupation of that left space, with Vinicius and Benzema constantly inverting their positions depending on build-up phase.
For every one who watched Real Madrid regularly this season, Ancelotti perfected the occupation of that left space, with Vinicius and Benzema constantly inverting their positions depending on build-up phase.
There is one factor that helped the unpredictability’s aspect from that duo : inverting positions constantly. We will analyze it during that part, but inverting positions dismantles opponent’s man-marking tasks and force them to densify one zone… that left space
During the first games, Vinicius and Benzema created a first pattern of moves in possession. Inverting positions first => opponent’s fullback jumping out => Vinicius taking center forward role and Benzema as left winger.
Then, the duo brought another option to this move : a double invert in positions, literally dismantling opponent’s man marking.
However, when that combination started to get neutralized, Benzema-Vinicius creativity in that left space fall down progressively, due to the amount of players opponent coaches put when they were in that specific zone.
Ancelotti found an interesting parade to increase duo’s unpredictability : instead of having long distances, both Benzema and Vinicius will occupy that left space before starting pass combinations.
In possession, especially when Madrid’s build-up located on the other side, Benzema tended to slightly step aside, reflecting the « close distance strategy » in that left space. This strategy was relevant to avoid opponent’s low blocks.
Short passing circuits from Vinicius and Benzema also permitted to do the opposite : switch to the other lane (creating numerical superiority) and increase spaces for Vini and Benzema to penetrate.
Benzema and Vinicius developed instinctive connections in that left space, whether it be Benzema taking depth or Vinicius dropping off to receive. Each one improved the other’s quality, to be as unpredictable as possible
Yet, Benzema and Vinicius maximized their automatisms in that left space, especially when that zone is utilized in vertical transitions. In this case, not the most creative passing schemes but very efficient (Vinicius frequently draws out more than the fullback in his run)
III. THIRD MAN’S ROLE
Benzema-Vinicius duo frequently received help from a teammate, always in that left space, to facilitate combinations and bring more metrics to counter for the opponent. Two players have been spotted : Mendy and Camavinga.
Benzema-Vinicius duo frequently received help from a teammate, always in that left space, to facilitate combinations and bring more metrics to counter for the opponent. Two players have been spotted : Mendy and Camavinga.
Ferland Mendy’s role in that association can be illustrated in many ways. First one, Benzema can have another passing option when he drops off and Vinicius can start runs in behind.
When Benzema decides to stay upfront, and knowing Ferland’s tendency to navigate in central halfspaces, he replaces French striker‘s role in the same zone
In the left space, Mendy was very useful because he frequently inverted his position with Vinicius, creating spaces and allow Benzema, in a withdrawn position, to take enough speed to attack penalty box.
Mendy’s mission was also to constantly attack the left space: if he doesn’t receive the ball => Benzema and Vinicius doing short passing circuits in penalty box. When he receives => decoy runs from Vini and Benzema
The most positive consequence from Mendy’s participation in Benzema-Vinicius combinations is the fact opponent automatically densifies left lane, which consequently allows Madrid midfielders or central defenders to reach penalty box without being outnumbered
CAMAVINGA
Concerning Camavinga, who did a brilliant first season, he frequently dezoned in the left space so Vinicius can slide in central area and reduce distance with Benzema, ready to run or pass the ball.
Concerning Camavinga, who did a brilliant first season, he frequently dezoned in the left space so Vinicius can slide in central area and reduce distance with Benzema, ready to run or pass the ball.
Ancelotti relied, especially in champions league on Camavinga’s strong mobility in and out of possession. He is a relevant link player to find Vini-Benzema’s duo quickly in transitions.
IV VINICIUS AND BENZEMA IN PENALTY BOX
Here we are: the last zone to dissect. How did Benzema and Vinicius adapt their runs and passes in that zone to create chances ?
Here we are: the last zone to dissect. How did Benzema and Vinicius adapt their runs and passes in that zone to create chances ?
Usually, if Madrid’s buildup is located in the right side of the penalty box, Benzema tends to jump on the first post and Vini on the second. The timing of their split before the cross is quite accurate, to blur central defense
As we analyzed earlier, Benzema tends to step aside to reach Vinicius on the left space. He also does the same move to reach the left corner of penalty box, especially when the cross comes from the opposite. He gains time to control and shoot or target Vinicius.
I have noticed a interesting point : when Benzema and Vinicius are both in penalty box (short distances), Vinicius used to stay in a withdrawn position, while Benzema regularly did diagonals in direction of the second post.
As I said, Benzema-Vinicius tactical evolution allowed Madrid players to penetrate penalty box in offensive situations. Vinicius, from the left lane, frequently combined with Benzema to bring numerical superiority just before KB9’s cross
Moreover, Benzema particularly appreciates starting his runs from opponents 30 meters and wait Vinicius cross to showcase his excellent head game.
To conclude, 21-22 season from Vinicius and Karim has been attesting the birth of a solid, innovative, and astonishing duo, in and out of possession, because they are unpredictable in each zone of their association.
End of the thread. I really hope you enjoyed reading though it, it represented hours of watching, rewatching, just to bring you another aspect, another perception of that Benzema-Vinicius
I am excited to read your feedbacks 🔥
I am excited to read your feedbacks 🔥
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