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THREAD: How Thomas Tuchel can get the best out of ‘Jovacic’:
• How Tuchel’s 3-4-1-2 leaves the duo defensively vulnerable.
• How Tuchel’s 3-4-2-1 can get the best out of the duo.
• How Tuchel’s 3-4-1-2 leaves the duo defensively vulnerable.
• How Tuchel’s 3-4-2-1 can get the best out of the duo.
This analysis revolves around the premises that ‘Jovacic’ are:
• Specialists in breaking the 1ST LINE of defense.
• Very rarely able to break 2 LINES of defense.
• Defensively vulnerable when given the responsibility of being the ‘sole creators through the middle’.
• Specialists in breaking the 1ST LINE of defense.
• Very rarely able to break 2 LINES of defense.
• Defensively vulnerable when given the responsibility of being the ‘sole creators through the middle’.
Vs Sheffield UTD, we started with a 3-4-1-2 with Giroud & Werner as the striking duo + Mason as the CAM.
However, in order to:
1) Compensate for Giroud’s lack of pace in wider areas (as RS)
AND
2) Allow Werner to have freedom to drop deep/roam
Our attacking shape changed to a 3-2-1-4 with our wingbacks’ starting position being up top, as wide wingers alongside our strikers.
1) Compensate for Giroud’s lack of pace in wider areas (as RS)
AND
2) Allow Werner to have freedom to drop deep/roam
Our attacking shape changed to a 3-2-1-4 with our wingbacks’ starting position being up top, as wide wingers alongside our strikers.
As a result, our wingbacks preserved our width up top allowing:
Giroud to drop into his more comfortable central positions,
&
Werner to drop into deeper areas on the left, where he can run towards goal.
Giroud to drop into his more comfortable central positions,
&
Werner to drop into deeper areas on the left, where he can run towards goal.
However, this left Mason with the sole responsibility of bringing the ball from our back 5 to our front 4.
With such huge responsibility, this overload on Mason did not last long before it was closed down by Sheffield, and as a result....
With such huge responsibility, this overload on Mason did not last long before it was closed down by Sheffield, and as a result....
...we turned to giving Jorginho + Kovacic the sole responsibility to create, alongside Mason.
This left the duo with TWO OPTIONS:
This left the duo with TWO OPTIONS:
OPTION 1: Play Xavi-like dissecting in passes through 2 LINES OF DEFENSE to break the low block
OR
OR
OPTION 2: Requiring Kovacic to dribble into space between the lines and try to help create, THUS
Leaving Jorginho with the sole responsibility in handling possible counter attacks.
Leaving Jorginho with the sole responsibility in handling possible counter attacks.
Unfortunately, during the Sheffield UTD game, we opted for OPTION 2, with Kovacic joining in the attack.
This is because, ‘Jovacic’ do not possess the ability to consistently play balls through 2 LINES OF DEFENSE.
As a result..
This is because, ‘Jovacic’ do not possess the ability to consistently play balls through 2 LINES OF DEFENSE.
As a result..
We were often left in situations like this, when Azpi overlapped to help in the attacking phase,
And thus, it left us exposed on the transition, and furthermore left Jorginho to be scapegoated once again.
Now how do we fix this?
And thus, it left us exposed on the transition, and furthermore left Jorginho to be scapegoated once again.
Now how do we fix this?
Vs Wolves and Burnley, we definitely saw the best out of the ‘Jovacic’ duo.
This was mostly down to the 3-4-2-1 set up that allowed 2 AM’s to be in the holes between the two lines of defense, together with the wingbacks at LM/RM positions.
This was mostly down to the 3-4-2-1 set up that allowed 2 AM’s to be in the holes between the two lines of defense, together with the wingbacks at LM/RM positions.
Altogether, we set up in a 3-2-4-1 during attacking phases where Jovacic’s main role was to get the ball as quickly as possible to either of the 4 players situated in the holes between the two lines of the defense.
All of a sudden, Alonso, Kai, Mason or CHO receives the ball between the lines
& now, we have caught the first line of the opposition’s defense flat footed due to the quick nature of Jorginho + Kovacic getting the ball to the attacking 4 in the 3-2-4-1 set up.
& now, we have caught the first line of the opposition’s defense flat footed due to the quick nature of Jorginho + Kovacic getting the ball to the attacking 4 in the 3-2-4-1 set up.
Now our attack have outnumbered their final line of defense ( 5 Vs 4 ), making it easy to combine, break down and then score.
All while having Jorginho and Kovacic sit back right above our 3 CBs.
Leaving us with 5 players compactly left behind to deal with the possible counter attack/transition of the opposition.
Leaving us with 5 players compactly left behind to deal with the possible counter attack/transition of the opposition.
All in all, we can see the 3-4-2-1 formation gets the best out of Jovacic as they are not required to:
1) Play Xavi-like passes in order to break 2 lines of defense.
OR
2) Roam out of position in desperation to create chances, that leaves our defense exposed.
Instead...
1) Play Xavi-like passes in order to break 2 lines of defense.
OR
2) Roam out of position in desperation to create chances, that leaves our defense exposed.
Instead...
Jorginho + Kovacic are allowed to stick to their strengths, which is starting attacks as quickly as possible by getting the balls through the first line of defense as quickly as possible.
This saves about 2-3 seconds as it leaves the opposition’s 1st line of defense behind.
This saves about 2-3 seconds as it leaves the opposition’s 1st line of defense behind.
In a way, this formation allows this duo to play to their strengths while also hiding their weaknesses.
A duo that when used properly can dominate many many games.
A duo that when used properly can dominate many many games.
The 3-4-2-1 not only gets the best out of Jovacic, but it will get the best out of Kai + Mason too.
BUT, I’ll leave that for another thread on another day. Thanks for reading
Any RTs would help, as I’d love to hear you guys’ opinions.
Follow for future threads
BUT, I’ll leave that for another thread on another day. Thanks for reading
Any RTs would help, as I’d love to hear you guys’ opinions.Follow for future threads
