Thread by @CarefreeTactics, THREAD: How Mateo Kovacic’s chance creating ability was unleashed versus Newcastle.(BIGGEST TAKEAWAY [...]

THREAD: How Mateo Kovacic’s chance creating ability was unleashed versus Newcastle.

(BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM CHELSEA VS NEWCASTLE)

All Likes & RTs are appreciated

#CFC

THREAD: How Mateo Kovacic’s chance creating ability was unleashed versus Newcastle.(BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM CHELSEA VS NEWCASTLE)All Likes & RTs are appreciated #CFC

The biggest change to our 3 ATB approach this game, was using predominantly a 3-4-3 instead of a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-1-2.

However, in order to allow Werner the freedom to tuck into LS and LAM positions, our attacking set up comprised of a front 5 (in a 3-2-5).

Here, our attacking 5 would have the freedom to interchangeably drop between the lines or make runs in behind to play fluid attacking football + OVERLOAD the final defensive line of Newcastle (typically a line of 4)

As a result of this overload (5v4) on Newcastle’s final line of defense, they often dropped into a back line of 5 or even 6 in efforts to mark our front 5.

This left gaps in their first line of defense to be exploited.

Leaving gaps like that vs a player like Kovacic who glides through the smallest of spaces, is a disaster waiting to happen for any opposition.

& that was exactly what happened, as Kova was given license to get into those advanced positions between the lines (while J5 sat back)

With AN OVERLOAD OF dynamic movement across our front 5, together with Kovacic approaching with purpose, Newcastle’s final line of 5 or 6, were spread thin as defenders were easily dragged out of position, leaving at least one of our attackers in lots of space to cause damage.

The main premise here is that our front 5 overloaded Newcastle’s back line:

• Allowing Kovacic space to glide through the lines

THEN

• Allowing him to find at least 1 player from our front 5 in tons of space to cause damage.

This change to 3-4-3 (and thus an attack of 3-1-1-5/3-2-5) not only gave Kovacic the license to get into advanced positions, but also continuously provided him with many forward passing options.

This is yet another reason why I love playing 3 at the back. Because it allows us to continuously ask different questions of the opposition’s defense. This is just one example of another way Tuchel has surprised the opposition’s defense with our attacking approach.

The beauty of this system is that we have the personnel to interchange from 3-4-2-1 (a 3-2-4-1 in attack) to 3-4-1-2 (a 3-2-1-4 in attack) and to 3-4-3 (a 3-1-1-5 in attack) multiple times during a game, in order to keep the opposition’s team guessing and on the back foot.

For more tactical analysis on how we approach our attack with a 3-4-1-2 or a 3-4-2-1, check my pinned tweet where I talk about Jovacic’s role in those formations, and how they thrive in their roles.

All in all, thanks for reading and making it this far

all feedback, opinions, likes and RTs are greatly appreciated

#CFC

Note that: this analysis was only for phases of the game where Newcastle parked the bus in the 1st half.

However, we resorted to our typical 3–4-2-1/3-4-1-2 when Newcastle attacked us and kept a high line. Thus shaping us up for possible counter attacks.

Keep in mind, this highlight of a tweak in tactics is no way a discredit to Kovacic’s ability.

Much credit has to be given to Kova because only very few midfielders in the world can singlehandedly glide through a line of defense in a 3-1-1-5, then find that final pass.

Additionally, even in phases where Kova was surrounded and stifled in deep positions in our midfield, he still managed to dribble through them and find splitting passes through the lines. In form like this, Kovacic is unstoppable.

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