There have been a lot of complaints about Chelsea not having a Plan B and these people have gone on to criticize Di Matteo. Trust me, if there’s one part of Di Matteo that cannot be blamed, then it is his well thought and creative tactics.
As everyone knows Chelsea operates a 4-2-3-1. Did you know Chelsea also has a viable alternative of 4-2-2-2, or otherwise known as plan B. Yes it can be called 4-4-2 but the 2 wide players are not very defense minded.
This is Chelsea’s movement for the entire season but we can clearly see some important mistakes made by the players –
In this frame, Luiz has the ball. Cahill is gesturing for a pass. Azpilicueta has made a run down the right-flank , to provide extra width. Romeu is moving forward as he see’s Hazard come back and Mikel is returning from the left-flank. Luiz is at the moment looking for a proper pass.
Bertrand received the pass after Luiz lobbed it to him. Look at the frame carefully. There is more than just obvious signs of an incoming congestion. Sturridge has moved to the center and Torres has spotted it. On paper, Nino has to move back to the supposedly empty No.10 role as Hazard should have drifted right after seeing Sturridge move center. Moses has stuck to his left-flank where he was placed to cut inside with his right-foot.
Bertrand has passed to Moses and now Torres has turned smart. This is the part where you have to give him credit. He begins moving to the middle where he can occupy the AMF space. Moses continues his movement right whereas Sturridge is in the center, ready to receive any kind of ball. Bertrand on the other hand should be moving back but he wants to go on. This is where the problem occurs.
A foreseeable congestion in the left side of the attacking third.
Moses passes it to Bertrand who shakily gives it to Nino. Now comes problem part 2. Instead of going to the right, where only Azpilicueta is yawning, Hazard comes into AMF. Moreover, neither Moses and Bertrand look like they are going back. Sturridge is still waiting whereas Torres is facing the consequences. He can’t do much and is rooted to the spot. Notice that there are 3 defenders who can put immediate pressure on him.
Torres can’t do much as he is about to pass it to Hazard. Hazard looks like he is ready to receive Notice once again, Bertrand and Moses don’t even move at all. Going by the laws of providing width, the full-back should not push up the flank if a winger is already present, this brings out the detrimental effects of providing “extra width” . They are in a pit of trouble.
Hazard makes the wrong choice of movement and Torres the wrong pass. The ball is lost. Once again neither Moses or Bertrand show any sign of going back as Sturridge looks on.
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This frame shows the extent of damage. Bertrand is running back as he suddenly realizes the tactical game plan. Torres moves slowly as he has all the time in the world to move to the center. Sturridge moves right as Azpilicueta begins to charge back to defend. Moses still hasn’t moved. Romeu is debating what decision to make. Moving right will cause a huge problem in the center as Hazard might not be there in time. Moreover Mikel is burdened with the duty of covering the left as Bertrand might not make it in time.
What should have happened is that, Bertrand should have come back or never pushed in the first place while Hazard should have been on the right and not looking for time on the ball.
Now what did Di Matteo do? He initiated Plan B or 4-2-2-2 –
He first called out Sturridge and told him what had to be done. Don’t trust me? Keep an eye on the timer.
Okay so the first major change was, Hazard to the left. THIS is why he scored via a header, as he found himself on the left wing as his natural position. Torres is a bit to the left and Sturridge has an exact penetration point that is right behind the pivot players and the the second centerback of WBA who has been lured on by Torres as a false 9. Bertrand is about to make a run…..
But stops. He has been told about the congestion. Hazard passes to Torres and moves to the left. Moses makes a run whereas Sturridge still lingers around in the AMF role. If Sturridge was making a run from the previous frame, a clean through ball by Torres and we had a scoring opportunity.
Torres has been robbed but Hazard has a good chance of getting the ball. Here we can see Chelsea’s high pressing, where the full-back pounces on WBA’s right-back. The main thing though is, notice Sturridge. He’s seen that Moses has left a gap, and off he goes, or does he?
Romeu has entered the fray. One of the pivot players has to be a bit attack minded. Hazard wins the ball back and wants to enter the AMF zone. Bertrand has a good chance of going down the left flank now.Torres has dropped deeper as well to lure that center-back down. Moses has stuck to his position as Sturridge
disappears off frame.
Here we get a clean picture. The pivot is attack minded now and trying to claw back a goal. Sturridge has told Moses to get back to the right, as Torres resumes his No.9 position. Bertrand loiters around the left side, as Hazard moves in closer to the box to receive a pass. Romeu is falling back as Mikel goes forward. Moses will cut in soon and Azpilicueta needs to provide width , so off he goes.
Skip a minute later and this shows the change in formation. Sturridge and Torres have become our forwards with Sturridge playing behind as a second striker. Mikel has just shifted to the left, and Bertrand notices that and plays a quick pass to Hazard and moves back to the pivot to assist Romeu. Moses has pushed wide and Azpilicueta moves back.
To give a clearer picture, this is 4-4-2 or in my words 4-2-2-2 –
Di Matteo has no idea with his tactics? Tactically bad? No plan B? Think again.
Sherry Philips (@bluebloodSherry), Deputy Editor
Where in heaven's name have you been Sherry, busy with school? Nice tactical analysis, I must commend your efforts and observations, buh what other choice did the game leave Di-Matteo with? 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-2-1? What are your suggestions?
Where in heaven's name have you been Sherry, busy with school? Nice tactical analysis, I must commend your efforts and observations, buh what other choice did the game leave Di-Matteo with? 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-2-1? What are your suggestions?
PErfeito., Torres Sempre o Prejudicado ;X
PErfeito., Torres Sempre o Prejudicado ;X
A wee bit busy with school ! I believe he had other plans as well, but the one he changed to was best suited with the players he had !
A wee bit busy with school ! I believe he had other plans as well, but the one he changed to was best suited with the players he had !
Awesome work!!! Even though I'vent seen play from Marko Marin in Person, I've been told that he's a brilliant playmaker who is very creative. Why was not he put to play when Mata was given a break? Any ideas on that?
Awesome work!!! Even though I'vent seen play from Marko Marin in Person, I've been told that he's a brilliant playmaker who is very creative. Why was not he put to play when Mata was given a break? Any ideas on that?
Hey sherry…great detail.abt the analysis. What do u thonl abt chelsea playing 3-3-3-1 formation.
its just a modified version of 3-5-2 ot 3-5-1-1
Heres my suggestion
*formation 1
ivanovic/dave – cahil – luiz
Ramires – oscar – mikel
Marin/moses – mata – hazard
torres
#in this formation we have 3 strong defenders and with 3 man pivot we will be defensively sound
# oscar with his passing vision and ability with constant movement of the fron trio can tear defence apart for fun amd oscar will also have better space to influence the game and how abt the long range shot. it will give more space.for him to shoot as he will be coming from deeper position.
# mazascar and marin/moses can tear defense apart
#lack of width can be a problem however while attacking oscar cam push to no 10 position and marin/moses and hazard can move to wider areas.
formation 2
Iva/dave – cahil/JT – luiz
Ramires – mikel – bertnand
Mata – oscar – hazard
torres
# with bertnand and ramires in 3 man pivot we will have plenty of pace gping forward and in defence as well.
# tactical flexibility of going back to 4-2-3-1 with bertnand slotting in his natural LB position
#rest is just the same as above.
Formation 3.
Iva/dave – terry/cahil – cole/bertnand
ramires – luiz – mikel
mata- oscar – hazard
torres
# with luiz in 3 man pivot it will again provide us with tactical flexibility of going back to 4-2-3-1 and all of us know the passing ability pf luiz. he also posses great threat going forward.
There can be few drawbacks such as players will have to adapt perfectly to thos formation.
very disciplined while losing the ball.
may not be affective against top teams.
However i would relish chelsea playing this formation. please let me know what u think.
KTBFFH.
Bhushan from Nepal.
Hey sherry…great detail.abt the analysis. What do u thonl abt chelsea playing 3-3-3-1 formation.
its just a modified version of 3-5-2 ot 3-5-1-1
Heres my suggestion
*formation 1
ivanovic/dave – cahil – luiz
Ramires – oscar – mikel
Marin/moses – mata – hazard
torres
#in this formation we have 3 strong defenders and with 3 man pivot we will be defensively sound
# oscar with his passing vision and ability with constant movement of the fron trio can tear defence apart for fun amd oscar will also have better space to influence the game and how abt the long range shot. it will give more space.for him to shoot as he will be coming from deeper position.
# mazascar and marin/moses can tear defense apart
#lack of width can be a problem however while attacking oscar cam push to no 10 position and marin/moses and hazard can move to wider areas.
formation 2
Iva/dave – cahil/JT – luiz
Ramires – mikel – bertnand
Mata – oscar – hazard
torres
# with bertnand and ramires in 3 man pivot we will have plenty of pace gping forward and in defence as well.
# tactical flexibility of going back to 4-2-3-1 with bertnand slotting in his natural LB position
#rest is just the same as above.
Formation 3.
Iva/dave – terry/cahil – cole/bertnand
ramires – luiz – mikel
mata- oscar – hazard
torres
# with luiz in 3 man pivot it will again provide us with tactical flexibility of going back to 4-2-3-1 and all of us know the passing ability pf luiz. he also posses great threat going forward.
There can be few drawbacks such as players will have to adapt perfectly to thos formation.
very disciplined while losing the ball.
may not be affective against top teams.
However i would relish chelsea playing this formation. please let me know what u think.
KTBFFH.
Bhushan from Nepal.
formation 2 won’t work. whereas, the width of the team will be minimised and there will be lots of space for over-the-top passes
I have no idea what RDM has in store for Marin. Only time will tell !
I have no idea what RDM has in store for Marin. Only time will tell !
The only problem is, no English team can play with 3 defenders. The tactics used in EPL would break them down in seconds. The above formation might work brilliantly in Italy though. Good suggestion !
The only problem is, no English team can play with 3 defenders. The tactics used in EPL would break them down in seconds. The above formation might work brilliantly in Italy though. Good suggestion !
Nice one, Sherry! We r trying to imitate Barca. Attractive possession based football works for Barca because (1) Barca has very fluid movement and passing. Chelsea's passing is not really good enough, we may have possession, but the lack of movement into dangerous positions makes chance creation rates very low. Possession football works best when both the passing & movement are very fluid. (2) Barca defends as a team. Players do not switch off when the opponent is on the ball. The attacking players press very hard and close down players as quickly as possible, causing opponents to make mistakes, losing possession before they get dangerous. Their defending players are also quick and alert to threats. Chelsea is the direct opposite of this; our attacking players watch the ball when we lose the ball & are being counter-attacked. The fullbacks do not track back quickly or press high. They just stroll back. The centres are slow off the mark, mark poorly and are not given sufficient cover, despite Mikel's best efforts due to the defensive inactivity of the attacking players. If we want to play the Barca way, we must be willing to move into space and stretch defences, pass better and most importantly defend from Striker to Centre Back. Attacking players pressing and closing down & defensive players covering. This way, whether we use a false 9 or a true 9, it won't matter. Sorry I wrote a full blog in your comments 🙂
Nice one, Sherry! We r trying to imitate Barca. Attractive possession based football works for Barca because (1) Barca has very fluid movement and passing. Chelsea's passing is not really good enough, we may have possession, but the lack of movement into dangerous positions makes chance creation rates very low. Possession football works best when both the passing & movement are very fluid. (2) Barca defends as a team. Players do not switch off when the opponent is on the ball. The attacking players press very hard and close down players as quickly as possible, causing opponents to make mistakes, losing possession before they get dangerous. Their defending players are also quick and alert to threats. Chelsea is the direct opposite of this; our attacking players watch the ball when we lose the ball & are being counter-attacked. The fullbacks do not track back quickly or press high. They just stroll back. The centres are slow off the mark, mark poorly and are not given sufficient cover, despite Mikel's best efforts due to the defensive inactivity of the attacking players. If we want to play the Barca way, we must be willing to move into space and stretch defences, pass better and most importantly defend from Striker to Centre Back. Attacking players pressing and closing down & defensive players covering. This way, whether we use a false 9 or a true 9, it won't matter. Sorry I wrote a full blog in your comments 🙂
Probably better analysis than they give to the players. I hope not.
Probably better analysis than they give to the players. I hope not.