🔵⚪️ Team Analysis
How De Zerbi wants to use opponent’s press to progress in build-up ?
Example vs Wolverhampton 🟠⚫️
▫️Gross-Gilmour moves
▫️Vertical passes
▫️Box midfield
In-depth THREAD 🧵 ⤵️
How De Zerbi wants to use opponent’s press to progress in build-up ?
Example vs Wolverhampton 🟠⚫️
▫️Gross-Gilmour moves
▫️Vertical passes
▫️Box midfield
In-depth THREAD 🧵 ⤵️
Wolves knew double pivot drop-off is the key part of Brighton’s build-up. That’s why they wanted to annihilate this possibility by implementing two players upfront.
However, even if you manage to prevent these drop-offs, De Zerbi has more than one option in build-up : he wants to provoke that press, by slowing down the build-up. Then, as soon as the opponent starts to press, Gilmour and Gross can move easily to bypass opponent’s shape.
Webster and Dunk, two excellent defenders with great passing skills, have always two options: wide pass for Estupinian or Veltman, or wait until Gross-Gilmour have more possibilities to move around.
As soon as Brighton recover the ball, there is an automatic back pass to central defenders. They don’t want to precipitate the build-up, to make sure the opponent will press.
And after 5-6 failures in the press, Brighton has psychological advantage over the opponent
And after 5-6 failures in the press, Brighton has psychological advantage over the opponent
Consequence : the opponent doesn’t want to press anymore. therefore, De Zerbi has the advantage in build-up and can implement deadly vertical passes, as the press doesn’t exist anymore.
Here is an example of it, on the flank
Brighton has wide wingers, sticking the touchline. Why ? When defenders decide to do vertical pass, offensive midfielder (here Undav) drops to receive and automatically pass the ball to Ensico or Marsch if we are on the other flank.
These vertical passes can be made due to the level of confidence Brighton defenders have in their passes. They attempt no matter the result : that is a sign of confidence.
Each time I see Brighton, I spot the way players can switch roles instinctively, without even thinking about it. Gross as a forward, Welbeck as a winger, whilst Gilmour stands as the lone #6.
Gross and Gilmour seems in a perfect harmony in their moves. We know Gross tends more to attack offensive spaces, but always having this spatial awareness to say « where is my first opponent? How do I end up in the ideal position to receive ? »
This question has the accurate answer on the third goal. Gilmour forces Semedo to get away from the pass angle, Gross can receive the ball without interception and shoot.
Whether it be in the pressing phase or in his passes, Gilmour has done a massive performance yesterday. He brings control thanks to his scans, accelerates when the game demands. Brighton has a brilliant back-up in case of Caicedo’s transfer.
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