Joel Parker
@joelparker.bsky.social
Football Tactics Writer for BetweenThePosts.net. Napoli and Everton sufferer.
https://betweentheposts.net/author/joelparker/
https://betweentheposts.net/author/joelparker/
(2/2) Even when Rodrygo is delayed, the reaction from the City block left so much space:
- Valverde still free on the outside.
- Aké/Gvardiol start to drop = more space for Jude to receive.
- Aké on different level to Dias = space for Vini + Rodrygo third man run makes 3v2.
- Valverde still free on the outside.
- Aké/Gvardiol start to drop = more space for Jude to receive.
- Aké on different level to Dias = space for Vini + Rodrygo third man run makes 3v2.
February 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
(2/2) Even when Rodrygo is delayed, the reaction from the City block left so much space:
- Valverde still free on the outside.
- Aké/Gvardiol start to drop = more space for Jude to receive.
- Aké on different level to Dias = space for Vini + Rodrygo third man run makes 3v2.
- Valverde still free on the outside.
- Aké/Gvardiol start to drop = more space for Jude to receive.
- Aké on different level to Dias = space for Vini + Rodrygo third man run makes 3v2.
(1/2) Mbappé’s 2nd goal came from this pattern once more:
- Mendy stepped inside, Foden/Gündogan delayed as aware of Ceballos/Vini movement between lines.
- Tchouaméni free, switch is on for Rodrygo + Valverde as Silva is the only midfielder who approaches.
- Mendy stepped inside, Foden/Gündogan delayed as aware of Ceballos/Vini movement between lines.
- Tchouaméni free, switch is on for Rodrygo + Valverde as Silva is the only midfielder who approaches.
February 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
(1/2) Mbappé’s 2nd goal came from this pattern once more:
- Mendy stepped inside, Foden/Gündogan delayed as aware of Ceballos/Vini movement between lines.
- Tchouaméni free, switch is on for Rodrygo + Valverde as Silva is the only midfielder who approaches.
- Mendy stepped inside, Foden/Gündogan delayed as aware of Ceballos/Vini movement between lines.
- Tchouaméni free, switch is on for Rodrygo + Valverde as Silva is the only midfielder who approaches.
The same pattern played out on the left side, but with a few more adaptations with Jude/Vini/Ceballos all dropping/pulling wide left:
- Mendy dribbles inside, Vini drops, Ceballos takes CMs away.
- Lane opens for Vini to move the ball back and Rüdiger to find Bellingham.
- Mendy dribbles inside, Vini drops, Ceballos takes CMs away.
- Lane opens for Vini to move the ball back and Rüdiger to find Bellingham.
February 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The same pattern played out on the left side, but with a few more adaptations with Jude/Vini/Ceballos all dropping/pulling wide left:
- Mendy dribbles inside, Vini drops, Ceballos takes CMs away.
- Lane opens for Vini to move the ball back and Rüdiger to find Bellingham.
- Mendy dribbles inside, Vini drops, Ceballos takes CMs away.
- Lane opens for Vini to move the ball back and Rüdiger to find Bellingham.
When Valverde dribbled inside, Foden was often left in a dilemma on who to drop towards:
- Ceballos movement forces González to step up to Tchouaméni (not follow Jude.)
- Foden drops onto Bellingham rather than approach Mendy.
- RM target Khusanov with multiple dribblers.
- Ceballos movement forces González to step up to Tchouaméni (not follow Jude.)
- Foden drops onto Bellingham rather than approach Mendy.
- RM target Khusanov with multiple dribblers.
February 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
When Valverde dribbled inside, Foden was often left in a dilemma on who to drop towards:
- Ceballos movement forces González to step up to Tchouaméni (not follow Jude.)
- Foden drops onto Bellingham rather than approach Mendy.
- RM target Khusanov with multiple dribblers.
- Ceballos movement forces González to step up to Tchouaméni (not follow Jude.)
- Foden drops onto Bellingham rather than approach Mendy.
- RM target Khusanov with multiple dribblers.
(Thread) For the second week, Real Madrid burned through City’s block but in a slightly different way:
- FB dribbles inside, takes out pressing winger.
- CM adaptations: one pivot jumps up from between CBs, the other moves to take away closest City CM.
- 2v1 far side on switch.
- FB dribbles inside, takes out pressing winger.
- CM adaptations: one pivot jumps up from between CBs, the other moves to take away closest City CM.
- 2v1 far side on switch.
February 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
(Thread) For the second week, Real Madrid burned through City’s block but in a slightly different way:
- FB dribbles inside, takes out pressing winger.
- CM adaptations: one pivot jumps up from between CBs, the other moves to take away closest City CM.
- 2v1 far side on switch.
- FB dribbles inside, takes out pressing winger.
- CM adaptations: one pivot jumps up from between CBs, the other moves to take away closest City CM.
- 2v1 far side on switch.
Inter’s rotations where more adventurous when Inzaghi made a triple sub, but still fell into the same problems:
- McKennie jumps onto Barella, Conceição on Augusto.
- Kolo Muani followed Acerbi and Weah jumped onto Zalewski.
- Juve able to transition with Conceição lane free.
- McKennie jumps onto Barella, Conceição on Augusto.
- Kolo Muani followed Acerbi and Weah jumped onto Zalewski.
- Juve able to transition with Conceição lane free.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Inter’s rotations where more adventurous when Inzaghi made a triple sub, but still fell into the same problems:
- McKennie jumps onto Barella, Conceição on Augusto.
- Kolo Muani followed Acerbi and Weah jumped onto Zalewski.
- Juve able to transition with Conceição lane free.
- McKennie jumps onto Barella, Conceição on Augusto.
- Kolo Muani followed Acerbi and Weah jumped onto Zalewski.
- Juve able to transition with Conceição lane free.
When Inter tried to utilise Sommer and Acerbi stepped ahead of Pavard/Bastoni, Juve’s m2m still forced Inter into problems:
- Conceição jumped up onto Bastoni, McKennie followed Acerbi into the second line.
- Weah’s target is still the deep-left player (Dimarco in this case.)
- Conceição jumped up onto Bastoni, McKennie followed Acerbi into the second line.
- Weah’s target is still the deep-left player (Dimarco in this case.)
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
When Inter tried to utilise Sommer and Acerbi stepped ahead of Pavard/Bastoni, Juve’s m2m still forced Inter into problems:
- Conceição jumped up onto Bastoni, McKennie followed Acerbi into the second line.
- Weah’s target is still the deep-left player (Dimarco in this case.)
- Conceição jumped up onto Bastoni, McKennie followed Acerbi into the second line.
- Weah’s target is still the deep-left player (Dimarco in this case.)
Motta switched the defensive set-up into a more aggressive man-to-man arrangement:
- In the centre, Kolo Muani was more passive so McKennie jumped onto the CBs.
- Conceição and González followed the wide CMs into the centre, Weah jumped higher to make the turnover.
- In the centre, Kolo Muani was more passive so McKennie jumped onto the CBs.
- Conceição and González followed the wide CMs into the centre, Weah jumped higher to make the turnover.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Motta switched the defensive set-up into a more aggressive man-to-man arrangement:
- In the centre, Kolo Muani was more passive so McKennie jumped onto the CBs.
- Conceição and González followed the wide CMs into the centre, Weah jumped higher to make the turnover.
- In the centre, Kolo Muani was more passive so McKennie jumped onto the CBs.
- Conceição and González followed the wide CMs into the centre, Weah jumped higher to make the turnover.
As a result, Inter was capable of creating plenty of chances through making these progressions in the middle third, to attack the box in a semi-transitional state.
However, their attack flatlined in the second half (until Juve had taken a 1-0 lead and entered the last 10 mins.)
However, their attack flatlined in the second half (until Juve had taken a 1-0 lead and entered the last 10 mins.)
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
As a result, Inter was capable of creating plenty of chances through making these progressions in the middle third, to attack the box in a semi-transitional state.
However, their attack flatlined in the second half (until Juve had taken a 1-0 lead and entered the last 10 mins.)
However, their attack flatlined in the second half (until Juve had taken a 1-0 lead and entered the last 10 mins.)
Even when Juve where in a more passive state, the hybrid set-up left spaces for Inter to connect:
- Koop on Taremi/Mkhi, enough space for either man to turn as Koop had to occupy both (and without the compaction/intensity to protect.)
- Thuram zonal = lateral pass to Barella.
- Koop on Taremi/Mkhi, enough space for either man to turn as Koop had to occupy both (and without the compaction/intensity to protect.)
- Thuram zonal = lateral pass to Barella.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Even when Juve where in a more passive state, the hybrid set-up left spaces for Inter to connect:
- Koop on Taremi/Mkhi, enough space for either man to turn as Koop had to occupy both (and without the compaction/intensity to protect.)
- Thuram zonal = lateral pass to Barella.
- Koop on Taremi/Mkhi, enough space for either man to turn as Koop had to occupy both (and without the compaction/intensity to protect.)
- Thuram zonal = lateral pass to Barella.
After 20 mins, third man runs dragged Koop towards the ball and freed up Mkhi back inside:
- Martínez could drop + space was made behind Gatti for Mkhi to run into.
- The run from the far ST kept the Juve defensive line deep and set Inter up for their waved attacks on the right.
- Martínez could drop + space was made behind Gatti for Mkhi to run into.
- The run from the far ST kept the Juve defensive line deep and set Inter up for their waved attacks on the right.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
After 20 mins, third man runs dragged Koop towards the ball and freed up Mkhi back inside:
- Martínez could drop + space was made behind Gatti for Mkhi to run into.
- The run from the far ST kept the Juve defensive line deep and set Inter up for their waved attacks on the right.
- Martínez could drop + space was made behind Gatti for Mkhi to run into.
- The run from the far ST kept the Juve defensive line deep and set Inter up for their waved attacks on the right.
But it was not long until Martínez moved into the position that Koopmeiners moved out from:
- Koop still jumping onto Mkhi.
- Lane open to Martínez as Conceição anticipated the pass to Dimarco and Taremi’s run pinned Gatti in the defensive line.
- Koop still jumping onto Mkhi.
- Lane open to Martínez as Conceição anticipated the pass to Dimarco and Taremi’s run pinned Gatti in the defensive line.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
But it was not long until Martínez moved into the position that Koopmeiners moved out from:
- Koop still jumping onto Mkhi.
- Lane open to Martínez as Conceição anticipated the pass to Dimarco and Taremi’s run pinned Gatti in the defensive line.
- Koop still jumping onto Mkhi.
- Lane open to Martínez as Conceição anticipated the pass to Dimarco and Taremi’s run pinned Gatti in the defensive line.
As Inter circulated the ball backward, Juve counterpressed up the field:
- Koopmeiners jumped, following Mkhi but also following the pass back to Acerbi.
- Conceição pressed outward onto Bastoni. Thuram picks up one of the STs movement.
- Koopmeiners jumped, following Mkhi but also following the pass back to Acerbi.
- Conceição pressed outward onto Bastoni. Thuram picks up one of the STs movement.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
As Inter circulated the ball backward, Juve counterpressed up the field:
- Koopmeiners jumped, following Mkhi but also following the pass back to Acerbi.
- Conceição pressed outward onto Bastoni. Thuram picks up one of the STs movement.
- Koopmeiners jumped, following Mkhi but also following the pass back to Acerbi.
- Conceição pressed outward onto Bastoni. Thuram picks up one of the STs movement.
Another thrilling Derby d’Italia, defined by Juve’s OOP being worked out before Motta changed at HT. The original arrangement:
- Passive 4141, very narrow with inward press from wingers.
- Koop double marking Martínez/Mkhi, Gatti jumps, Thuram zonal.
- Trap inside to target Martínez.
- Passive 4141, very narrow with inward press from wingers.
- Koop double marking Martínez/Mkhi, Gatti jumps, Thuram zonal.
- Trap inside to target Martínez.
February 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Another thrilling Derby d’Italia, defined by Juve’s OOP being worked out before Motta changed at HT. The original arrangement:
- Passive 4141, very narrow with inward press from wingers.
- Koop double marking Martínez/Mkhi, Gatti jumps, Thuram zonal.
- Trap inside to target Martínez.
- Passive 4141, very narrow with inward press from wingers.
- Koop double marking Martínez/Mkhi, Gatti jumps, Thuram zonal.
- Trap inside to target Martínez.
Even in the first goal, on the transition, Guendouzi had little protection and Fiorentina countered effectively:
- Beltrán curved run into space, Gosens third man run.
- Folorunsho targets near post = defence bunched and Lazio get burned twice from crosses over to the back post.
- Beltrán curved run into space, Gosens third man run.
- Folorunsho targets near post = defence bunched and Lazio get burned twice from crosses over to the back post.
January 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Even in the first goal, on the transition, Guendouzi had little protection and Fiorentina countered effectively:
- Beltrán curved run into space, Gosens third man run.
- Folorunsho targets near post = defence bunched and Lazio get burned twice from crosses over to the back post.
- Beltrán curved run into space, Gosens third man run.
- Folorunsho targets near post = defence bunched and Lazio get burned twice from crosses over to the back post.
Lazio wanted to maintain +1 in defensive line, so Guendouzi covered Mandragora when high press was engaged:
- Dia too far from Ranieri, time to pass.
- Guðmundsson dropped again, 3v2 down channel with Guendouzi/Dele-Bashiru occupied and CBs staying next to one another.
- Dia too far from Ranieri, time to pass.
- Guðmundsson dropped again, 3v2 down channel with Guendouzi/Dele-Bashiru occupied and CBs staying next to one another.
January 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Lazio wanted to maintain +1 in defensive line, so Guendouzi covered Mandragora when high press was engaged:
- Dia too far from Ranieri, time to pass.
- Guðmundsson dropped again, 3v2 down channel with Guendouzi/Dele-Bashiru occupied and CBs staying next to one another.
- Dia too far from Ranieri, time to pass.
- Guðmundsson dropped again, 3v2 down channel with Guendouzi/Dele-Bashiru occupied and CBs staying next to one another.
Baroni’s decision not to start Rovella had big repercussions vs Fiorentina:
- Fiorentina switch to single pivot in def. third.
- Lazio 442 press, staggered STs (one to press, one to cover DM).
- Guðmundsson drops to create 2v1 (Dia too far, Dele-Bashiru does not shift.)
- Fiorentina switch to single pivot in def. third.
- Lazio 442 press, staggered STs (one to press, one to cover DM).
- Guðmundsson drops to create 2v1 (Dia too far, Dele-Bashiru does not shift.)
January 26, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Baroni’s decision not to start Rovella had big repercussions vs Fiorentina:
- Fiorentina switch to single pivot in def. third.
- Lazio 442 press, staggered STs (one to press, one to cover DM).
- Guðmundsson drops to create 2v1 (Dia too far, Dele-Bashiru does not shift.)
- Fiorentina switch to single pivot in def. third.
- Lazio 442 press, staggered STs (one to press, one to cover DM).
- Guðmundsson drops to create 2v1 (Dia too far, Dele-Bashiru does not shift.)
Pep switched so KdB could be involved more in the third line OOP (4141) but PSG’s first goal came from a similar scenario:
- Ruiz free down left as CMs man mark and Foden steps.
- Akanji forced to jump from a deep position, Kovačić does not cover.
- Barcola 1v1, Nunes isolated.
- Ruiz free down left as CMs man mark and Foden steps.
- Akanji forced to jump from a deep position, Kovačić does not cover.
- Barcola 1v1, Nunes isolated.
January 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Pep switched so KdB could be involved more in the third line OOP (4141) but PSG’s first goal came from a similar scenario:
- Ruiz free down left as CMs man mark and Foden steps.
- Akanji forced to jump from a deep position, Kovačić does not cover.
- Barcola 1v1, Nunes isolated.
- Ruiz free down left as CMs man mark and Foden steps.
- Akanji forced to jump from a deep position, Kovačić does not cover.
- Barcola 1v1, Nunes isolated.
Even as City tried to reset into the middle third, the same dynamics could be made again with different personnel:
- Foden steps to Neves, Silva on Ruiz.
- 3v2 created in forward line -> Mendes in space, 1-2 with Lee as CBs retreat and Lee drifts into spot, Mendes runs.
- Foden steps to Neves, Silva on Ruiz.
- 3v2 created in forward line -> Mendes in space, 1-2 with Lee as CBs retreat and Lee drifts into spot, Mendes runs.
January 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Even as City tried to reset into the middle third, the same dynamics could be made again with different personnel:
- Foden steps to Neves, Silva on Ruiz.
- 3v2 created in forward line -> Mendes in space, 1-2 with Lee as CBs retreat and Lee drifts into spot, Mendes runs.
- Foden steps to Neves, Silva on Ruiz.
- 3v2 created in forward line -> Mendes in space, 1-2 with Lee as CBs retreat and Lee drifts into spot, Mendes runs.
City’s mixed approach also faced repercussions vs PSG’s left. As Foden approached Mendes (often a additional CB in buildup) Silva man-marked the pivot and Ruiz had space to drift:
- Kovačić does not follow, drops to cover zone.
- Barcola can make 1-2 with Ruiz, Nunes bypassed.
- Kovačić does not follow, drops to cover zone.
- Barcola can make 1-2 with Ruiz, Nunes bypassed.
January 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
City’s mixed approach also faced repercussions vs PSG’s left. As Foden approached Mendes (often a additional CB in buildup) Silva man-marked the pivot and Ruiz had space to drift:
- Kovačić does not follow, drops to cover zone.
- Barcola can make 1-2 with Ruiz, Nunes bypassed.
- Kovačić does not follow, drops to cover zone.
- Barcola can make 1-2 with Ruiz, Nunes bypassed.
On the Most Progressive Passes map you can see that PSG’s exchanges came mostly on the right.
Kovačić covered the zone in the centre, whilst Gvardiol’s aggressiveness onto the touchline meant that Dias had to cover a much larger zone. No wonder so much play went through Hakimi.
Kovačić covered the zone in the centre, whilst Gvardiol’s aggressiveness onto the touchline meant that Dias had to cover a much larger zone. No wonder so much play went through Hakimi.
January 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
On the Most Progressive Passes map you can see that PSG’s exchanges came mostly on the right.
Kovačić covered the zone in the centre, whilst Gvardiol’s aggressiveness onto the touchline meant that Dias had to cover a much larger zone. No wonder so much play went through Hakimi.
Kovačić covered the zone in the centre, whilst Gvardiol’s aggressiveness onto the touchline meant that Dias had to cover a much larger zone. No wonder so much play went through Hakimi.
These three-man combinations where quite common down the right side:
- Neves moves the ball up to Lee, after receiving from Hakimi.
- Lee moves the ball back to Hakimi, free as Savinho stepped towards Neves.
- Third man run targets space behind Dias with CBs on different lines.
- Neves moves the ball up to Lee, after receiving from Hakimi.
- Lee moves the ball back to Hakimi, free as Savinho stepped towards Neves.
- Third man run targets space behind Dias with CBs on different lines.
January 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
These three-man combinations where quite common down the right side:
- Neves moves the ball up to Lee, after receiving from Hakimi.
- Lee moves the ball back to Hakimi, free as Savinho stepped towards Neves.
- Third man run targets space behind Dias with CBs on different lines.
- Neves moves the ball up to Lee, after receiving from Hakimi.
- Lee moves the ball back to Hakimi, free as Savinho stepped towards Neves.
- Third man run targets space behind Dias with CBs on different lines.
(thread) PSG are an interesting case. A very young team without any central methods to make progress but they showcased how easy it was to cook City down the channels:
- Ruiz drops to receive, third man run forwards.
- Lee back to Hakimi, Gvardiol committed, Savinho inactive round ball.
ttx
- Ruiz drops to receive, third man run forwards.
- Lee back to Hakimi, Gvardiol committed, Savinho inactive round ball.
ttx
January 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
(thread) PSG are an interesting case. A very young team without any central methods to make progress but they showcased how easy it was to cook City down the channels:
- Ruiz drops to receive, third man run forwards.
- Lee back to Hakimi, Gvardiol committed, Savinho inactive round ball.
ttx
- Ruiz drops to receive, third man run forwards.
- Lee back to Hakimi, Gvardiol committed, Savinho inactive round ball.
ttx
Deeper Inter CMs = more space for Thuram/Lautaro between the lines:
- Lane open for Bisseck to connect.
- Space opens for strikers as d line drops.
- Third man runs from Barella/Mkhi keep d line narrow, Lautaro able to put the ball down the flanks for Dimarco.
- Lane open for Bisseck to connect.
- Space opens for strikers as d line drops.
- Third man runs from Barella/Mkhi keep d line narrow, Lautaro able to put the ball down the flanks for Dimarco.
December 16, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Deeper Inter CMs = more space for Thuram/Lautaro between the lines:
- Lane open for Bisseck to connect.
- Space opens for strikers as d line drops.
- Third man runs from Barella/Mkhi keep d line narrow, Lautaro able to put the ball down the flanks for Dimarco.
- Lane open for Bisseck to connect.
- Space opens for strikers as d line drops.
- Third man runs from Barella/Mkhi keep d line narrow, Lautaro able to put the ball down the flanks for Dimarco.
But Inter was able to combine better by committing both Lazio CMs high up the chain:
- Lazio high press, m2m on Çalhanoğlu/Mkhi.
- Lautaro drops to receive underside as Thuram beats Gigot in aerial duel.
- Lautaro free, Barella in attack = d line drops, Dumfries unoccupied.
- Lazio high press, m2m on Çalhanoğlu/Mkhi.
- Lautaro drops to receive underside as Thuram beats Gigot in aerial duel.
- Lautaro free, Barella in attack = d line drops, Dumfries unoccupied.
December 16, 2024 at 10:46 PM
But Inter was able to combine better by committing both Lazio CMs high up the chain:
- Lazio high press, m2m on Çalhanoğlu/Mkhi.
- Lautaro drops to receive underside as Thuram beats Gigot in aerial duel.
- Lautaro free, Barella in attack = d line drops, Dumfries unoccupied.
- Lazio high press, m2m on Çalhanoğlu/Mkhi.
- Lautaro drops to receive underside as Thuram beats Gigot in aerial duel.
- Lautaro free, Barella in attack = d line drops, Dumfries unoccupied.