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Interesting tid-bit of tactical interest from tonight’s game that might interest Reece James holders on #footballindex
Very short thread below
Very short thread below
When Willian is playing as the right winger he is a “chalk on your boots” type winger. He wants to get as wide as possible, which limits the room for RJ to move into forcing him inside.
The arrow down the line from where Willian is positioned is the area someone like TAA would be exploiting as Salah moves inside.
Potentially important for #footballindex PB because the angle he is crossing that ball from is pretty easy to defend. Easy to anticipate the flight and angle for both GK and defenders.
However, when Willian switched with Pulisic, and the American came across to the right, you can see how Pulisic plays more as an inside forward, leaving space for RJ to push into and create a better angle for a variation of crosses.
He chooses to check inside and keep possession - a sensible option at 2-0 - but the space is there for him to attack if he wanted to.
From further towards the byline the angle you have gives you more options. A cut back, a whipped cross into the “corridor of uncertainty” or stand up cross towards the penalty spot. Creates uncertainty for defenders.
It also means you are more likely to cross as the RB because you have more dangerous options. With Ziyech joining, if he plays as the RW you’d expect RJ to get the space as he did with Pulisic tonight. Which has the potential to improve #footballindex PB score
