Marco Rose

A top manager in the making?

(A thread)

Marco Rose is currently the manager of Borussia Mönchengladbach. He joined Gladbach for the 19/20 season after an impressive spell in RB Salzburg. This thread will be based on Rose's style of play and how he could potentially implement his philosophy into this current UTD team.

Before we dive into the more analysis part of this thread, I will share first about his philosophy so you can get a better understanding of him as manager.

The basic ideas behind my playing philosophy are emotionality, hunger and being active.We want to be very active against the ball, sprint a lot. We want to win high balls and have short ways to the goal. We don’t want to play high and wide, but fast, dynamic and actively forward.

Rose utilised a 4-4-2 diamond at Salzburg and has expressed his preference for it: I’ve always played a diamond when I’ve had the opportunity to do it, bringing in two strikers. Our system, even when we play with all three up front, is something like a diamond.

This shape has unsurprisingly featured a lot at Gladbach too, although not consistently.We played a diamond more often, but this diamond had different variations, explains assistant René Maric. You don’t see it from the outside but it shows that you always have to be flexible.1/2

And the team here at Borussia also has a lot of flexibility. Last season with the 4-3-3 there were certainly countless variants as well. Flexibility is a buzzword that is used for something quite normal. Despite Rose´s preference for a diamond, the 4231 has been used the most.2/2

This thread is going to be based around 4 areas i am going to take a deeper look at: Pressing, defensive shape, build-up play and attacking patterns.
Let's start with the pressing structure Marco Rose has implemented into this Gladbach side.

The main idea of Gladbach´s pressing structure is to cut off passes in centre and force the opposition wide where they then can trap them against the touchline. The ST will often remain centrally , pressing in the direction of whichever CB will receive the pass. 1/2

The other midfielders will move up in the pitch looking to get tight to their opposite player. The wingers will tuck in a little in order to offer support centrally if the opportunity to press arises, yet remain wide enough to quickly get out and press FB if the ball plays wide.

If the ball plays wide Gladbach press intensifies they will rapidly close down opposition's player with the ball and close down short passing lanes. They do this to pin the opposition on touchline and often enough you will see Gladbach double up on players to retrieve possession.

As a way to simplify this, Gladbach uses a man-orientated press which means getting tight to and following the opposition players. By saying this, there is no strict plan which is provided but they adjust depending on the situation they are in. 3/3

Defending:
Despite the amount of pressure Gladbach put on the opposition, their defensive shape at times is not properly structured which means they concede a lot of chances. This partially comes down to cut off short passing options which seems to be the priority. 1/2

This also comes down to whether it is a CB, FB or MF they want to win the ball high up the pitch but the result of that is leaving space in behind or BTL. The defenders especially are looking to step up and aggressively try to win the ball back in order to transition quickly.

Nico Elvedi steps up and wins the ball so Gladbach gain territory in Leipzig´s half

It is safe to say that their defensive strategy is high risk and high rewards. Win back the ball high up in the pitch with so many players and transition rapidly into the opponent's box. However, do not win the ball back and not, a lot is asked by defenders to stop the attack

Build-up play:
Gladbach CB´s splits wide and one of the FB push up high in order to provide width in the attack. But if the ball is played wide, the FB nearest will drop down to help with ball progression. Depending on the midfielders who is playing the build up play varies.

Here is an example of how the build-up play can look like. Forming 3atb as the FB´s almost hugging the touchline and providing width. Note to remember if Kramer plays, he will often drop deep and split the CB´s.

Also I want to add that the defenders are quite comfortable with the ball which enables them to draw opposition press and create space elsewhere or find their teammates with a pass. Note to remember, they favor a double pivot when playing it out from the back. 1/2

There is a reason for this as either midfielder will move the nearest side where the ball is and or a midfielder will drop in and ease the build-up and through this Gladbach can create triangles. 2/2

Depending on if Kramer or Zakaria plays hence the build-up can look a bit different at times. If Kramer plays, he will drop back to create 3 atb and if Zakaria plays he tends to stay in the midfield will recieve a pass on the turn and progress the ball forward.

At times, Zakaria come down a bit deep to receive the ball and help with ball progression.

They are always seeking for the opponents to press them in the build up as Gladbach sends mens forward to isolate their opposition defenders if they bypass the first line of press. If this works out successfully, Gladbach can now create various situations higher up in the pitch.

Attacking:
Rose has a preference for his team to play it out from the back and as we mentioned recently before, they do intend early to send men forward.

A lot of Gladbach player BTL