Week 9 Tactics

--------------------------Heaton

-------------Stark---------Tah---------Umtiti

--Conti---------Rabiot-----------Jorginho------Davies

-------------Taison----------------Richarlison-----------

--------------------------Dolberg-----------------------

Subs - De Ligt, Klostermann, Soler, Dahoud, Dembele

Using narrow front 3 to target CBs defensively - AMs constantly running beyond Dolberg, targeting central defence. 
Defensively, 3 strong CBs shut down their strikers, 5-4-1 when defending 

Defence
If Rashford up front, Umtiti play on his side, use pace to cover.
Defence maintain a strong line, don't give Rashford space to run into.
If Rashford out wide, Conti drop deep, play pure defensive role, CBs match up with Dzeko/Falcao physically, put them off their game
Jorginho protect in front of defence, cut off supply to forwards, Rabiot drop alongside without ball
Richarlison/Dembele drop onto deepest midfielders, don't give them time

Attack
Dolberg drop deep. look to turn, play in AMs bursting forward, get into box for crosses
AMs - get beyond Dolberg when he drops deeper, give the CBs/DMs a problem with your movement, dribble, take shots and get into box
Davies provide width, crosses into the front 3, occupy Valencia
CMs - keep ball ticking over, carry it forward, take shots at goal

Subs
Losing at 70 - Dembele for Stark, 4-4-2 with wingers
Winning at 70 - Energy in Soler/Dembele off bench to consolidate

---------------------------Akinfeev---------------------------
---Valencia---------Jones------------Evans----------Caricol---
-------------------Sanson-----------Casemiro------------------
-------Vazquez---------------Payet------------Rashford--------
----------------------------Falcao----------------------------

BENCH
Sportiello
Durmisi
Young
Fellaini
Lingard
Eder
Dzeko


TACTICS
Dominate possession, be patient and looking for plenty of clever runs off the ball. Wingers have a go at their fullbacks.


DEFENSE
Press quickly as a midfield unit to regain possession, don't let Rabiot/Dahoud/Jorginho settle. 
Vazquez and Rashford to come infield to help close down – don’t worry about FBs.
Valencia and Caricol to match Taison and Richarlison for pace, jockey rather than diving in and protect the space. 
Jones to be the main marker of the striker with Evans covering.


ATTACK
If a winger is free, look to counter with a quick ball to them. 
Otherwise, want us to build steadily and dominate the ball. 
Tire them out with Sanson and Casemiro keeping things ticking over. Payet can drift wide, especially if marked to look for the space.

Vazquez and Rashford can beat their opponents for pace, cut inside where possible.
Falcao to be the poacher. If man-marked place yourself on the other CB to create space.
Full backs to get forward adding width but one at a time.


SUBSTITUTIONS
Winning
60' - Lingard >> Vazquez

80' - Fellaini >> Payet

Losing - play more direct.
60' - Fellaini and Young >> Vazquez and Caricol
4-4-2 diamond

80' Dzeko >> Casemiro 
Gung-ho.

Injuries: Daniele Rugani, Fernandinho, Florian Thauvin


---------------------Fahrmann-----------------------
---------Meunier---Christensen--Vertonghen------
Zappacosta------Anguissa--Tolisso------------Gaya
Robben--------------Immobile----------Albrighton


Subs: Berisha, Layun, Chalobah, Davis, Coric, Martinez, Llorente


Attacking
Gaya and Zappacosta to provide the width with Albrighton and Robben pushing in centrally pressuring the CB's
Tolisso pulling the strings from deep driving forward with the play working the ball into dangerous areas
Immobile to be pushing onto the last defender powering into the box for the service coming from behind
Albrighton and Robben to cut inside and look to threaten with passes or shots on goal


Defending
Gaya and Zappacosta to put a shift in on the flank, pushing back into a back 5 when we lose possesion
Meuinier to tuck in with Vertonghen to support Christensen centrally
Anguissa to drop deep just in front of the back line where he can screen the opposition out of the game
Tolisso to drop deeper when we lose the ball as the outlet to be able to pick the play up and turn defence into attack


80th - Martinez on for Albrighton
85th - Llorente on for Immobile to keep piling on the powerful threat in the area

Injuries
Burki
Casilla
Kongolo

Starting XI
(4-3-1-2 diamond)

GK - Mile Svilar
RB - Juanfran
RCB - Kalidou Koulibaly
LCB - Davinson Sanchez
LB - Sead Kolasinac
CM - Amadou Diawara
RCM - Mario Lemina
LCM - Giannelli Imbula
CAM - Heung-Min Son
ST - Dries Mertens
ST - Gervinho

----------------------------Svilar--------------------------------
Juanfran-------Koulibaly---------Sanchez------------Kolasinac
-------------Lemina----Diawara--------Imbula---------------------
---------------------------Son-----------------------------------
----------------Gervinho---------Mertens------------------------

Subs
Aymen Abdennour
Jorge
Patrick Roberts
Oguzhan Ozyakup
Tammy Abraham

Overall tactics - Up against a strong Marswag side, we are going to look to dominate the midfield with Fernandinho missing, and the lessened threat with no Thuavain out wide. Our trio of Diawara/Lemina/Imbula look to break up play, and quickly transition to our front three of Son/Mertens/Gervinho who will look to take advantage of the weaker DM, and the lack of Rugani at CB. 

Defence - Diawara it's your job as DM to help the FBs by doubling up to stop their wingers cutting inside (especially Robben), we can deal with crosses from the byline with our stronger CBs. Do not let Robben onto his left too shoot. The other midfielders will pickup the runners through the middle. Lemina stop Tolisso pulling the strings, stay with him all day. Imbula pickup the other CM, with Son responsible for picking up the DM. Sanchez/Kouliably, one mark Immobile, the other cover round. As soon as we win the ball back, look for the quick transition to Son/Mertens who will pick on their weaker defensive players

Attack - in attack it is all about pace through the middle. Son you're key today, with Fernandinho out take advantage against the backup DM, by using your movement and pace to great effect dragging him into positions he doesn't want to go into. Mertens you pull onto Christiansen and use your pace and experience to ruin his day, mainly look to come short to pull him out of position, of if he doesn't follow pickup the ball and run at him, with Gervinho looking to run in behind Verthonghen. If possible Lemina/Imbula look to join the attacks too. Don't be afraid to pull the trigger from range either.

Subs - If winning - 70 minutes - Ozyakup for Imbula, Jorge for Kolasinac - fresh legs

If losing - 70 minutes - Roberts for Imbula - go for 4-2-2-2 with Lemina/Diawara CM, Roberts RAM, Son LAM, with Mertens/Son still up top. Look to all out attack

---------------------Strakosha 
-------Sokratis --- Miranda -- Lucas 
Lichtsteiner -- Parolo -- Zakaria ---Marcos Alonso
--------------Fekir -------------Lozano
-----------------------Gomez

Subs - Belenov, Diakhaby, Fuchs, Deulofeu, Rodrigo, Aduriz, Diaz

Defending
- Miranda get tight to Belotti in the 18 yard box and stop him poaching
- Sokratis use his pace to cover Belotti and double up with Lichtsteiner on El Shaarawy
- Lucas watch for Banega getting forward, Double up on Chiesa with Alonso
- Wing backs force wingers inside and stop getting crosses in, Also drop back into a 5 when defending to counter their attacking full backs
- Parolo & Zakaria get onto Banega & Kessie harass them on the ball
- Fekir & Gomez to press De Rossi

Attack
- Wing backs support the inside forwards by making runs down the wing when attacking pulling their full backs wider
- Parolo control the play from deep get balls into Fekir/Lozano
- Zakaria use your physicalness to make runs in beyond De Rossi to drag him away from DM
- Fekir/Lozano & Gomez  rotate as a front 3
- Fekir  drift about in the gaps  drag Kessie out of position
- Lozano  use his pace to make runs in behind between full backs & centre backs
- Gomez  make diagonal runs in behind off Brookes in behind Barzagli to open the space for Fekir/Lozano to move into

Subs
losing - Aduriz for Gomez 
winning - Diakhaby for Gomez - 5-3-2 Lucas to DM

‘tina away at Wanka (4-3-3)

Injuries:
Caldara
Ceballos
Lo Celso

……………………………………Buffon…………………………….
Alves………………..Llorente…………Brooks…………Wendell
……………………………………De Rossi…………………………
…………………………..Kessie………………Banega………………
Chiesa…………………………….Belotti……………………..El Sha

Subs: Fabianski, Barzagli, Izzo, Badelj, Cutrone, Ilsanker, Montoya

Tough game away against Wanka.
Fekir is the danger man and he’s the one we single out, De Rossi enforcer will follow him over the pitch and get him on his “touch” don’t be reckless just shadow him and leave him isolated.
Alves and Wendell are flying fulbacks will bomb on and give us the extra bit of width needed, defensively show the man the line.
Llorente is the spare man, can bring the ball out and cover DM – Brooksy is a man mountain and will man-mark the central striker.
Kessie goes box-to-box huge physical presence will look to dominate the midfield, Banega is the playmaker, puts a foot in when needed and keeps us ticking over.
Chiesa and El-Egypt will play as inside-forwards, drift in and get the over-loads on Wanka’s defence allows our FB’s to run the line, these two take out the space between FB and CB, causing a bit more space for Belotti to exploit.

Belotti is having a difficult patch but the kid can and will score goals in this team, play off the shoulder use that acceleration to get into place and punish them.

Subs 65 mins

Badelj > De Rossi

--------------Romero------------------
Hysaj-------Mere---Lenglet------Grimaldo
------Milinkovic Savic-Pellegrini-------
Dembele--------Asensio------Oyarzabal
----------------Werner--------------
 
Injuries: Silva, Skriniar, Solanke
 
Subs: Gomez, Locatelli, Sancho, Bentancur, Gomez, Retsos, Sessegnon
 
Overall: Ebbsfleet are a strong side but can be penetrated from the flanks, attack to press their defence to commit mistakes, defensively come narrow to protect the CBs. Know when to park the bus and when to ramp up the gears.
 
Defence
 
Hysaj/Grimaldo - Go narrow and close down spaces, force the opponent onto their weaker foot and block crosses.
Lenglet/Mere - Both excellent readers of the game so awareness is key, track movement and be composed in tackles, take high line if Ibra striker, deeper for Bakambu and block channels.
SMS/Pellegrini – Work hard. Read the game, react and intercept, protect the defence then launch attacks. Physically bully opponents.
 
Attack
 
Pellegrini – Quick play, turn defence into offense in a second, look for movement & space ahead.
Asensio - free role, look to switch play quickly and double up down channels.
Dembele/Oyarzabal – Decision making is vital, mix up play between taking on the defence or pass & move. Don’t let opposition second guess you.
Werner – Constant movement, let the defence chase your shadow as you find space, chase every ball
 
Subs:
70m – Sancho/Sessegnon > Dembele/Oyarzabal Fresh legs against tiring defence.

Outrage v Ebbsfleet United

Injuries: Kieran Trippier, Gorka Guruzeta, Lars Bender

Formation: 4-4-2 counterattacking 

----------------------Neto----------------------
Tete---------Bartra----Martinez-----Emerson
Brandt------Goretzka---Torreira--------Neres
-----------Ibrahimovic---Bakambu------------

Subs: Gomes, Bruma, Kolarov, Winks, Silva, Ljajic, Arnaiz

Playing compact counter-attacking. Giving Outrage the width but being strong through centre. Front two target weakened defence with mixture of pace/power. In defence, two banks of 4 to occupy centre and stop Outrage going through us with pace.

Back 4 – Tight deep line that crams box. Don’t be pulled out of position. Zonal marking, lookout for each other and plug gaps. With ball, release quickly to flanks or long ball to front two.

Goretzka/Torreira – First line of defence. Recycle ball quickly when won. Goretzka, get forward unmarked for long shots. Torreira, hang back for counters.

Brandt/Neres – Playing on opposite wings as want to use pace/crossing ability to make chances. Take on FB’s and get balls into box. In defence, form first row of 4 and look to be released quickly.

Ibrahimovic – Playing number 10 to pull out CB marking. Hold up ball, release to wings, and get in box. Out-muscle weak CB partnership and look for crosses from flanks.

Bakambu – Two roles. Firstly hover around centre circle looking for quick breaks from deep. Beat CB marking for pace. If counter coming from wings, get in box and look for crosses.

Sub (if losing after 75mins) – Silva for Ibrahimovic. Play 4-3-3

Tactics – Dwarfs v Shahktar

Injuries
Jose Callejon
Andres Iniesta
Ryad Boudebouz


Substitutes: Areola, Abate, Masina, Gomez, Suarez, Fornals

We expect a 3-4-3, so we attempt to match up to them defensively, with 3 CBs tracking their forwards, our wingbacks directly opposing theirs, and two v two in the middle. We then utilise the pace in our forward line against their CBs, with Jesus and Sanabria running at the defence, and getting in behind, or Philipp exploiting the space if the defence drop deeper. 

Defence

• CBS pick up the front three, work as a team, picking up the closest man.
  
• WBs track their wingbacks. Push forward in an attempt push them back.
  
• Tousart/Fabinho sitting and protecting the defence, allowing the WBs to get forward.
  
• Forwards press from the front
  

Attack

• Tousart to be the linkman, feeding the forwards and the WBs
  
• WBs to bomb forward and provide the width, getting balls into the box.
  
• Philipp play free and roam, looking to play balls into the forwards. If they drop deep, run at them.
  
• Jesus/Sanabria – play on the shoulders of the CBs and look to spin in behind. If they drop deeper, Jesus to drop into space to be able to run at them.
  

Subs: On 60 minutes, Masina and Abate on for Ghoulam and D’Ambrosio – fresh legs on the flanks.

Cape-Coat Mysterious Dwarfs v SHAKHTAR SENSELESS

Injuries: Azpilicueta, Mitryushkin, Sabitzer


Dwarfs today, playing 3-4-3 with the aim of using the wingbacks to get at the Dwarfs defence, doubling up on their wingers when they attack.

Cech, command your area at all times, distribute long and wide, be wary of long range efforts.

Maksimovic/Pepe/Mascherano, Pepe mark Jesus, Maksimovic/Mascherano the spare men to cover Pepe. If they play two strikers, Maksimovic mark him, Mascherano spare man. Crowd the Dwarfs attack as Danilo/Rose will drop back to assist.

Danilo/Rose at wingback, form a back five without the ball, bomb forward to overlap Costa/Sisto when attacking.

Gagliardini/Kovacic, Gagliardini stay on their AM, don't follow if he drifts wide, stay on him as soon as he's central. Kovacic the playmaker from deep, link our play from defence into attack, get forward on occasion.

Costa/Sisto, get at the Dwarfs fullbacks, go outside and cross for Silva, or cut inside and use Danilo/Rose overlapping to create space/opportunities for yourselves/Silva. Shoot when infield.

Silva, stay on the shoulder of the deepest CB, look for the ball in behind. Shoot on sight.

Subs 70 mins:
Losing: Gagliardini/Maksimovic/Mascherano off, Vinicius/THazard/Augustin on. 3-1-4-2, all out attack.

(The below puts me over tactics limit so please delete if not allowed, it's not really tactics though!)