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Thomas Tuchel Tactical Analysis
[A Thread]
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[A Thread]
SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-3-3
Although Thomas Tuchel has often opted for the formation with the most 2’s to ever exist – 4-2-2-2 – the German manager has favoured a more traditional 4-3-3 in their Champions League run-in.
Although Thomas Tuchel has often opted for the formation with the most 2’s to ever exist – 4-2-2-2 – the German manager has favoured a more traditional 4-3-3 in their Champions League run-in.
Out of their ten matches in the competition, PSG have utilized the 4-3-3 system a total of seven times – making it Tuchel’s undoubtable favourite. Their only loss in the competition came at the hands of Dortmund, when they abandoned their traditional values to match BVBs 3-4-2-1.
ATTACKING FLAIR
Before Ligue 1 was shutdown with 11 matches to go, they scored a total of 75 goals. 50 were classified as strictly from open play, but they also bagged 5 from “counter attacking” situations (the most), 10 from set-pieces (2nd most), and 6 penalties (the most).
Before Ligue 1 was shutdown with 11 matches to go, they scored a total of 75 goals. 50 were classified as strictly from open play, but they also bagged 5 from “counter attacking” situations (the most), 10 from set-pieces (2nd most), and 6 penalties (the most).
PSG favour the left-side (41%), compared to the middle (29%) and the right (30%). They do however attack down the middle more than any other team in Ligue 1, and unsurprisingly find themselves in their opposition’s eighteen yard box far more than any other team in the league.
In UCL play, the only major difference is their relative struggle and patience to get into the opposition’s third. They’ve spent only 24% of their time on the ball in the there, the joint 9th-lowest out of the 32 teams. This is despite boasting the 8th highest possession stats.
NEYMAR DROPPING DEEP & BALLS OVER THE TOP
Neymar’s eagerness to drop into the midfield creates a diamond shape for PSG to use in possession.
Neymar’s eagerness to drop into the midfield creates a diamond shape for PSG to use in possession.
With the centre-back’s already frequently engaged around the half-way line and the smart movement of players like Verratti and Paredes to drop in deep at the right moment and pick up the ball, PSG are well positioned to play both forwards, horizontal and diagonal passes.
Paredes and Verratti are particularly adept at playing balls over the top. Since both operate on the left for PSG, it’s obvious not only why Tuchel’s side favour attacks down the left, but why Neymar also frequently drops deep more toward that side.
By Neymar dropping deep, the opposition defense may also be tempted to play a high line. But with the speed and attacking threat that Mbappe poses further forward, PSG can play dangerous balls over the top from midfield and find Mbappe into space behind those high lines
PRESSING FROM THE FRONT
PSG implement a high-pressing system, forcing their opposition to one side of the field and not letting them escape. At times in the press, the front three can be found all on the same side, making it near impossible to play out
PSG implement a high-pressing system, forcing their opposition to one side of the field and not letting them escape. At times in the press, the front three can be found all on the same side, making it near impossible to play out
In fact the aggressiveness of their press forced Leipzig into giving up a goal in their 3-0 semi-final win. However, with a team as talented as Bayern Munich at playing out from the back, this could be a risky approach with all three forwards coming over onto the same side
This high-press approach has also been taken when Tuchel implements a 4-2-2-2, as all of the front four come toward one side of the field in somewhat of a hybrid diamond-rhombus mixed shape.
SWITCHING PLAY & PLAYING OUT FROM THE BACK
Although typically favouring the left, the Parisians are adept at switching play from side to side. In the build-up, Marquinhos will often drop in between the centre-backs, with the left-sided central midfielder usually joining him.
Although typically favouring the left, the Parisians are adept at switching play from side to side. In the build-up, Marquinhos will often drop in between the centre-backs, with the left-sided central midfielder usually joining him.
The addition of one central midfielder dropping in alongside Marquinhos makes PSG a unique outfit in regards to building out from the back. But it’s actually something that Thomas Tuchel has been doing for years, most notably at Borussia Dortmund.
With the Black & Yellows, Tuchel used Gonzalo Castro, to drop in on the right and create a triangular shape to play out with the two centre-backs. DM Julian Weigl would then create an option at the top of the diamond, with the goalkeeper as another backwards option if needed
It’s not quite positional rotation, but it’s a method of quickly gaining an overload in possession of the ball, disrupting the opposition’s press and ensuring the opposition’s ‘number 10’ can’t have much success if they stick strictly to covering Marquinhos.
This four-man unit also allows the fullbacks to gallop forward and stretch the opposition higher up the pitch. With this simple addition to their build-up, PSG are often afforded more time and space to be patient with their build-up should they choose.
The constant movement inside of the wingers can also provide PSG with a mechanism to disrupt Bayern’s defense. With these inside runs and the occasional movement in deep to pick up passes, the opposition’s defense often has to change shape.
This allows the centre forward and the opposite wide forward to find space in between the gaps of the defense. If for example di Maria comes in deep and a full back follows him, a player like Paredes can get on the ball and find Mbappe in the space left vacated by the full back.
Further, with the intelligent runs forward of a player like Ander Herrera or the fullbacks, the constant inside runs certainly aid in PSG’s ability to break opponents down, open up new avenues and exploit those wide areas
So there it is! A brief Tactical Analysis of Thomas Tuchel’s Paris Saint-Germain.
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Please like and retweet,if it hits 1k like our Naagelsman Analysis we'll do another of the final 2 targets.
Credit to @mastermindsite for this,go check them out.
