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THREAD :
Tactical analysis clips from the recent league game between Juventus & AC Milan.
(Yes, I know the match happened long ago, but there are some important points I want to make).
Tactical analysis clips from the recent league game between Juventus & AC Milan.
(Yes, I know the match happened long ago, but there are some important points I want to make).
Milan used a high, man-to-man (almost Atalanta-eqsue) press & executed it very well.
An elaboration on Hauge: He was positioned such that he could press the RB while still being ready to rush in support if a teammate is beaten or if a teammate shifts to press a different player.
An elaboration on Hauge: He was positioned such that he could press the RB while still being ready to rush in support if a teammate is beaten or if a teammate shifts to press a different player.
Especially in the first half, Juve needed their attacking players to be involved to relieve/overcome Milan's well-executed high press. This 'excused' said players dropping back frequently, but also made the absence of Morata even more felt.
Against Milan, Ronaldo mainly functioned as a 'decoy', creating spaces for his teammates at dangerous areas, and you can see for yourself how well he did it.
The issue was whether those spaces were utilized by his teammates, especially a certain Paulo Dybala.
The issue was whether those spaces were utilized by his teammates, especially a certain Paulo Dybala.
Again, Ronaldo creates great spaces and disturbances due to his gravity & tactical intelligence but, faulty decision making & lack of aggressiveness brings it all to waste, with Paulo Dybala being the main culprit again.
The times Juve players actually DID capitalize on the spaces Ronaldo created led to big chances & a goal.
If you look at all the clips again, you can see how w/ better decision making (on or off the ball), the 2nd goal play could've been almost exactly replicated, multiple times
If you look at all the clips again, you can see how w/ better decision making (on or off the ball), the 2nd goal play could've been almost exactly replicated, multiple times
Despite his primary role lying elsewhere, Ronaldo still managed to provide an excellent, aggressive striker to his team on multiple occasions, at times making himself completely free inside the box.
So all in all, Ronaldo's main role was stretching the defense & creating spaces, which he did wonderfully. He still managed to create 2 big chances & make excellent striker movements.
Yet some say he had a bad performance simply because - like Dybala - they only watch the ball.
Yet some say he had a bad performance simply because - like Dybala - they only watch the ball.
My main point here, though, is this :
I don't care how technically proficient he is, a free-roaming attacker who is severely lack in game intelligence, spatial awareness, and aggressiveness is very detrimental to his team's system. Dybala is exactly that, as you can see above.
I don't care how technically proficient he is, a free-roaming attacker who is severely lack in game intelligence, spatial awareness, and aggressiveness is very detrimental to his team's system. Dybala is exactly that, as you can see above.
The simple solution would be to make him an additional midfielder such that another forward, who isn't lacking in aggressiveness.. etc, takes his place. The problem is that such switch would also involve a switch in defensive duties, and Dybala doesn't want to have any of that.
In short, Dybala's skillset doesn't warrant him playing the role he wants to play nor having the privileges he wants to have.
His aforementioned flaws could be excused if he was still a youngster but, he's 27 already. He should be a finished product by now, safe to say.
His aforementioned flaws could be excused if he was still a youngster but, he's 27 already. He should be a finished product by now, safe to say.
Also, I know the titles make it seem like this was just a player analysis but, I'd claim that those clips are enough to show Juve's strategies in attack in the absence of Morata.
I intend to add 2 more sets of clips, but I'll need to check my understanding of some things first.
I intend to add 2 more sets of clips, but I'll need to check my understanding of some things first.
Oh and if you think I'm exaggerating when it comes to Ronaldo "planning out" some of those plays, just watch him carefully & consistently.
The guy's ability to foresee players' responses to certain action/series of actions as well as the resulting spaces is utterly ridiculous.
The guy's ability to foresee players' responses to certain action/series of actions as well as the resulting spaces is utterly ridiculous.
Watching back the clips I cut showing Juve's press confirmed my doubts : There wasn't a fixed, consistent method (at least not one I could see). Sometimes it was man-to-man, sometimes it was mixed (M2M + Zonal), sometimes it was just.. loose.
There were a few patterns, though
There were a few patterns, though
- The aim was containing & directing Milan's passing, rather than winning the ball ASAP.
- Juve played w/ a high defense, preventing Milan from bypassing the press via long balls to a target man (When a LB is played, a Juve defender would be close enough to win the aerial duel).
- Juve played w/ a high defense, preventing Milan from bypassing the press via long balls to a target man (When a LB is played, a Juve defender would be close enough to win the aerial duel).
- Ronaldo was asked to focus on cutting lanes to his side (Milan's right), probably to prevent Milan from capitalizing on CR7 not tracking back during their attacks.
Not sure if I can make a coherent set of clips highlighting all that. I'll see what I can do but no promises.
Not sure if I can make a coherent set of clips highlighting all that. I'll see what I can do but no promises.
