THREAD

Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea 4-3-3 2018-19 Tactics

𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐔𝐏 𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄

★ DM/Jorginho drops and both CBs split to the edge of the box. This creates a +1 advantage in the buildup as well as if the opp. CF(s) decides to press  a passing lane opens up to the near FB/CM.
★ RB/Azpi stays deeper to offer more support

★Chelsea were 2v2 against Arsenal’s 1st line of pressure.
★RB/Azpi plays a 3rd CB role in this case 3v2 advantage Chelsea
★With a central overload created + no support from 1st line ARS 2nd line to close central and give space on the wings.

★DM/Jorginho drops and opp. LCF will not close him down since he is pressing RCB/Christensen and moving away from him can lead to Christensen being free
★With DM dropping it drags opp. AM which leaves alot of space for RCM/Kante
★Jorginho drops into the space created

★Both CB wide open and opp. CF follow the same movement
★DM into the space and drags opp. AM opening the passing lane for LCM/Kovacic
★DM moves away-drags opp. AM to the left to open a passing lane to RCM

Example of chipped balls from GK/Kepa when high risk of playing short.

This allows more space to the ball reciever to progress the play

𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄

★CF high and pins http://opp.CBs 
★RCM wide and opens channel for RW
★LW inside and LCM occupies LW initial location
★LB underlap runs

Movements by Chelsea players to penetrate deeper

★LW/Hazard cuts inside and LCM/Kovacic fills the space vacated by Hazard
★LB/Alonso takes the underlap
★CF/Morata stays high
★Also notice Kante as wide on right

★LW/Hazard starts wide initially and comes inside centrally to operate between the last 2 opp. lines.
★Hazard receives with time and space which would not have been possible if CF/Giroud didn’t had pinned both opp .CBs who could have stepped out to compress the space.

★Hazard using his gravity attracts opp. RB (RB+RCB in the below example)
★CF/Giroud pinning the CB(s)
★Pedro staying on the blindside (1v1) of his marker

𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐖-𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐒

While playing against low-blocks/deeper teams, Chelsea faced many problems. One such problem was that the CF was getting isolated with little to no impact. On the other hand, Jorginho used to have full control of the game.

CREATING VERTICAL SPACING

Hazard/LW free role creates gaps between opp. Last and 2nd last line of pressure from his movements as discussed below.

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒

Both LB/Alonso and RB/Azpi have a comparatively aggressive offensive output against teams being compact in the defensive funnel. In the defensive funnel, opp. Will gave spaces on the wings but would close down.

OVERLOAD DISORGANISES OPPOSITE LAST LINE

★Offensive nature of RB/Azpi who usually stays deeper for defensive cover
★CF/Morata isolated with no support

𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐇𝐎

These are the passmaps of Jorginho against Newcastle. Jorginho had 158 (173 attempted) passes which was more than Newcastle’s total passes.

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆
OPP.Have the ball in their attacking1/3. Chelsea press the opp. And use the cover shadows to their favor and cut passing options to disable ball progression.
★Efficient cover-shadows
★Cutting passing options
★Pressing ball carrier=less time to pick the pass

𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄 (minor drawbacks)

In this example RB was missing from his usual position which got exploited but also tells about their highline + fast recovery

𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒

𝙀𝘿𝙀𝙉 𝙃𝘼𝙕𝘼𝙍𝘿 - 𝙇𝙒

𝙊𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙍 𝙂𝙄𝙍𝙊𝙐𝘿 - 𝘾𝙁

𝙅𝙊𝙍𝙂𝙄𝙉𝙃𝙊 - 𝘿𝙈

If you enjoyed the thread would really appreciate sharing it with others. And as always feel free to give any sorts of feedback which will always help.
THANKS.
PEACE.
--------------------------
END OF THE THREAD
---------------------------

@utd_Visionary @pressingtrigger @utdmaram @ryanlam142 @EricLaurie @dictatorjorgi @johnspacemuller @JDNalton @JosephHickman88 @aldosainati @AshwinRaman_
Would appreciate any feedback and your thoughts in general