🏴 Player Analysis
⚪️ Jude Bellingham vs Napoli
▫️Moves around Napoli’s block
▫️Connection with Vinicius and Rodrygo
▫️Intelligence in his positioning between the lines
THREAD 🧵⤵️
⚪️ Jude Bellingham vs Napoli
▫️Moves around Napoli’s block
▫️Connection with Vinicius and Rodrygo
▫️Intelligence in his positioning between the lines
THREAD 🧵⤵️
Napoli implemented a solid block to prevent passes for Bellingham as much as possible. Bellingham moved well around this 4-4-2 to receive the ball. Usually Rodrygo and Vinicius go wide to create 1v1 situations when Bellingham receives the ball.
Bellingham also doesn’t hesitate to run in behind as a striker, when there are no option to receive the ball between the lines. This player understands the game well and his decisions depend on the situation.
Kroos is the player to target, given the number of passes in direction of Bellingham. Garcia gave Anguissa this individual pressing mission. However, Bellingham was frequently found, because of his intelligent moves. Camavinga did many overlaps thanks to that.
And if it’s not between the lines, Bellingham, as we have seen in the last 3 Madrid games, tends to take wide positions to initiate counter attacks. Kroos, again, managed to find Bellingham too easily against Napoli.
Anguissa man-marking Kroos, the German midfielder frequently dropped deep to receive to have more time to analyze his teammates moves. Bellingham anticipated Valverde’s move well and was ready to create danger with Vinicius and Rodrygo.
Bellingham variations in his positioning is what makes this player special. It worked well against Napoli because they settled a sound 4-4-2 to prevent being pierced from the center. In that case, Bellingham feels free to move from different positions (for instance with Camavinga)
Bellingham doesn’t hesitate to run in behind, and also running into penalty box to bring numerical advantage in cross situations.
Bellingham’s anticipation is precious to read the game and anticipate opponent’s passes, which led to Madrid’s first goal.
Given Rudi Garcia put Anguissa on individual pressing, sometimes Bellingham has to face it : his dribbling skills can open big spaces in front of him, usually the indicator for Vini-Rodrygo to go wide.
Napoli’s structure wasn’t a bad idea, because Madrid could have had issues to create sequences with the ball in short spaces. But Bellingham frequently unlocked the situation thanks to his moves around the structure.
Bellingham didn’t hesitate to attack spaces and finish situations alone. He took the risk, sometimes it doesn’t work, sometimes it transforms into a goal. His decision making illustrates well the role he’s got into this Madrid team.
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