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Had a real close Look at Sander Berge following the game on Saturday. Watched it back and just his actions and movements since and he really did have a game of 2 halfs. On the prephiary and looked like a little lost in the 1H. Massively improved in the 2nd. Here's a short thread:
So looking at the pass network from @Wyscout we can see no 32 (Berge) avg position and passing combinations. Berge spent alot of time wide trying to create the triangles and overload the Blades create so well.t
This is particularly unusual for Sander who's used to playing centrally in a double pivot (a 2). Hence his trigger movements can seem reactionary rather than anticipated in terms of when to run in behind or hold wide and leave space for bash or George
In 2nd half either intentionally tactically or just circumstance Berge popped up more centrally as Basham pushed on. Clip 1 below shows him picking ball up in a high central area before working ball and movement wide and supplying a nice cross which was unlucky to not be met
Clip 2 shows Berge again starting more centrally and deeper before playing an excellently weighted pass to Baldock to release him 1v1 down right. Sander is very good at ball progression with his passing.
Clip 4 shows where I think Berge biggest flaw is so far in our system. He's again come central to receive however Blades 1st thought is always hit width and work the space. Berge then has to anticipate and make a driving run in behind full back to create numerical overload
He doesn't yet do this quick enough and struggles on big high intensity sprints like this to be in position quick enough
One of my favourite clips of Berge this weekend. Shows his ability to play and press higher, desire and speed to sprint to ball carrier and physicality to steal off him and recycle possession. Not uncommon for anyone who's seen him in Belgium
Another promising clip. Takes up a high central area well beyond ball and drives into penalty area unlucky to not kill his touch. Promising movement again centrally.
In all he looked much better in central areas and offers us something different in shape in possession. There's promising signs to me definitely a need to increase physicality and sprinting ability along with understanding space in system but positives
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