Injuries:- Ademola Lookman, Karim Benzema, Luke Shaw, Gio Lo Celso

---------------------------Buffon--------------------
----Valencia-----Godin------Rugani---Rodriguez----
--------------------------Romeu------------------------
------------------Can--------------Hamsik--------------
---Mboula------------------------------------Suarez---
-------------------------Bakambu-------------------------
Subs: Pickford, Toure, de Vrij, 'Rodri', Fekir, Candreva, Mandzukic.

We will look to take advantage of the quality and experience difference in this game by really taking the game to this European Holland side by looking to play fast paced, fluid football to see us through. We have that extra quality that they lack, particularly in the midfield area, so it's important we utilise that. We need to press them when they have the ball in midfield and press high to keep them as far away from our goal as we can, because they do have attacking quality.

Defensive:
When we defend, we have to be aggressive. Holland's main threats will certainly by from wide areas as Lozano and Promes are certainly tough players and on their day, have that quality that can hurt us. We have to be solid, our back 4 need to be tight as a unit and our wingers must get back into the midfield and support them. We will look to revert to a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Romeu as the holding midfielder breaking up the play. In the midfield, we have the perfect midfielder for our high pressing game in Can to burst around and look to win that ball as well as Hamsik who is also capable in that role to put their midfield under pressure. Romeu can sit behind and offer an option for them in tight areas, position himself for interceptions and break up the play if they manage to get past our first midfield press. We have pacey full backs which means we can press high up this field and we have a good positional sense with our defenders that should be able to cope with runs in behind from their main forwards. We press as a unit and look to cut off passing channels to areas in between the lines as well as short passes to cut through our first midfield press because it will leave our defence too exposed. Once we win the ball, we will look to attack with pace and flair and we have quality players in wide areas with plenty of pace and skilful ability on the ball to cause them problems.

Attacking:
As previously mentioned, we will attack with flair. We need to have a high tempo and step up our passing quality in order to break down what is an inexperienced defence of Holland. Bakambu is our focal point and with him we have a player who knows where the net is. With good movement to suit, its important we utilise his strengths by feeding him the ball and allowing him to link with other players. Whilst both Can and Romeu are capable of starting off our attacks from the base of our midfield, its important that Hamsik drives into much more advanced areas into an advanced midfield position in order to support Bakambu. Both Mboula and Suarez can push on as well, they are both used to playing in a 4-3-3 system, so when we have possession, we will switch to a 4-3-3 so they can really get up and support Bakambu and provide other options in wide areas to get in behind the defence. It is important to get the ball to Mboula's feet, he has immense footballing skills and can dance around these defenders, if he can square the full back up in a 1v1, I'd feel confident he'd be able to take the ball past him. With Suarez, it's quite similar, but we can also look to thread the ball between the RCB and the RB in order to get him in behind, which is where Hamsik comes into play with passing in that area. Bakambu is more than capable of finding the net when the chances arrive and we have the quality to create these chances, but it's important he finds that half a yard of space for us to pick that pass and find him. With players like Hamsik and Suarez who have quality when it comes to creating chances, its Bakambu's movement in the final third which could really see us turn the screw and if we get it right more often than not, I believe this attack could get a goal glut against this Dutch defence.

Subs:

Fekir > Hamsik - 4-2-3-1 wide, 70 mins
Candreva > Mboula, 70 mins
'Rodri' > Can, 80 mins

NEWCASTLE

-----------------------Lloris
-----Hummels-----Sule-----Marquinhos
Florenzi-----Pjanic------Casemiro-------Bertrand
-------Mane-------Suarez---------Coutinho
Subs
Hart, Dier, Clyne, Keita, Ozil, Salah, Firmino


Lloris is a commanding presence at the back, when he calls for a ball, the defence know he will take control of the situation, he and the defence have complete confidence in each other and stops those little split second doubts which could lead to a chance being conceded When he has the ball he will look to offload quickly in the direction of the front 5 to get those quick counters started.


Hummels is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, the centre backs will always stay back to stop counter attacks, The CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 or the wing backs thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.




For the wing backs today the objective is to provide the width for the team and keep the oppositon stretched as much as possible, both still have a defensive mindset so will be getting back into a back 5 if we lose the ball. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.


The focus of the midfield 2 will be to use their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, working to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. When we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.




Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery respectively to drift between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite winger has the ball, the one without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.



When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.




Set Pieces


Corners - Pjanic takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out between the posts, the WB's stay back to prevent counters, 2 of the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball. Salah and Mane flit around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. A CB looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him to create less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area. Radja takes a position just outside the box to pick up weak clearances and go for the odd thundercunt, as well as occasionally providing the short option to try and draw 2 defenders out of the box.





Free Kicks - Pjanic takes Direct FK's



For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners





Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.

Subs



If Winning


70 mins - Clyne for Rose - The wing backs stay back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.




82 + 86 Mins - Keita for Casemiro and Ozil for Coutinho - Actively time waste and Mourinho the opposition.



If Drawing
70 Mins - Ozil for Casemiro - Add a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.

If Losing



67 Mins - Ozil and Salah for Casemiro and Rose - The wings backs act as wingers and just pile forward in numbers.

---------------------- Ederson
Juanfran ------ Varane --- Laporte -------- Mendy
-------------------- Fernandinho
----------- De Bruyne ------- Eriksen
O.Dembele ------ Lewandowski -------- A.Sanchez

Subs: Meret, Bellerin, Tah, Rabiot, Vidal, Perisic, Werner

4-3-3 - Possession based:
It starts from the back. Ederson is very able with his hands and feet and should look to find our players in space.

The CB duo are excellent on the ball, very good passing success rates and should look to move the ball into mf quickly. At times collecting short from Ederson and getting their heads up, looking for movement from the attackers and attempting diagonal or long balls into feet, using Lewandowski/Sanchez/Dembele as target men to bypass their mf.

Fernandinho & Eriksen, a midfield pair that will provide plenty of energy and will work their socks off for the side to allow others around them to express themselves. They should look to stamp their authority with their work rate and power looking to take a grip on mf and shielding our defence, oppressing the opposition midfielders and covering every blade of grass out there.

When attacking, Fernandinho sits just infront of the defence and makes himself available for a pass back. A passing outlet if we are being vigorously pressed whilst also allowing us to create space when working the ball around in triangles, also prevent counter attacks.

De Bruyne will look to play more the AM role and inbetween the lines, roaming in the oppositions half and and looking to act as the link between midfield and attack. Pick up pockets of space and use his awareness to dictate the play, never afraid to play a key pass in behind to unlock their defence.

Defensively will look to work in a 3, looking to work in tandem with Fernandinho & Eriksen to close down quickly and cutting out passing lanes. At times sitting deeper and dictating the tempo allowing Eriksen to go on beyond and link with our forwards.

Flanks will be key as we look to expose them in wide areas and create space in midfield.

Ousmane and Sanchez need to get involved as much as possible looking to influence the game, both two footed & excellent dribblers that more often than not will beat their man, need to get their heads down and accelerate with pace, linking with our fullbacks as they hug the touchline and open up the space ahead.

Always on the move and being unpredictable, never stay idle and easy to mark. Making off the ball runs and taking defenders with you, keeping them in two minds whether to stay or go.

When in possession, our fullbacks take it in turns to burst forward. One sits slightly back allowing the other to roam forward looking to provide the width, allowing the wingers space to drive into or an option on the outside.

Lewandowski has a big role today, very prolific and great killer instinct but one of those strikers that influences the play even without the ball at his feet. He should look to come deep often and link with others, hold up play and take the CB with you, opening up the game and space for our wingers and KDB to run into beyond.

When Newcastle are in possession we will initially look to press from front with our attacking trio and then drop off deeper with men behind the ball if they bypass with a strong block of 3 in midfield.

Don’t allow them to play out from the back and hurry their passes. Our attackers form a trio looking to cut avenues into midfield as one goes to press the ball, force them into tight spots with their backs to goal towards the touchline.

The reason we want our attackers to press is to force Newcastle to play long and concede possession, we feel they lack any sort of aerial presence in the side so are less likely to win contested duels.

If they advance we then form a rigid structure looking to press the space and dropping off with men behind the ball, only allowing them to play where we want them too, stifle the midfield with our 3 and stop them from picking their passes into an attacker, Fernandinho man-man their AM, looking to harass him and using his physical prowess to really put him off his game, Eriksen and De Bruyne cutting off passing lanes either side.

Key is leaving no gaps or space to get in behind, working as a staunch unit so their quick attackers have to come deeper to get involved making their first point of contact with the ball much deeper than they anticipated and notably further away from our final third.

When we have them deep we have more to work with, we can plug at them and tactically foul in areas that will prevent them from playing with any flow, breaking up the game.

If we manage to win the ball we must immediately look to counter and hit the opposition hard. FB’s can come up to support the play and provide the width. The front 4 burst forward, Fernandinho and Eriksen holding.

C - Lewandowski
FK's - De Bruyne
Corners - Eriksen
Pens - Lewandowski

Subs:
Werner > Lewandowski - 70th min
Vidal > Eriksen - 70th min
Perisic > Sanchez - 80th min

Group A
Portugal 2-2 Stoke
Jonas(Brahimi) 51, Dost(A.Silva) 78; Lemar(Kovacic) 23, Boschilia(Malcom) 85
MOTM: Adrien Silva.

Holland 1-3 Arsenal
Dolberg(Lozano) 66; Bakambu(Hamsik) 7, Bakambu(Valencia) 41, Rodriguez(Fekir) 73
MOTM: Cedric Bakambu.

Group B
Spain 0-2 Aston Villa
Higuain(Griezmann) 47, Manolas(James) 78
MOTM: Antoine Griezmann.

France 1-3 Italy
Meunier(Sneijder) 81; Gomez(Bonaventura) 13, Kalinic(Locatelli) 56, Kalinil(Ilicic) 62
MOTM: Nikola Kalinic.

Group A:
1st Stoke 7 +3
2nd Arsenal 6 +3
3rd Portugal 4 0
4th Holland 1 -2

Holland will be out if they lose the next match and Arsenal win.

Group B:
1st Aston Villla 9 +6
2nd Italy 4 0
3rd Spain 4 -1
4th France 0 -5

Germany 1-2 Spain
Muller (Kroos)
Messi x2 (Bale,Isco)

MOTM - Messi

Liverpool 1-3 Leicester
Belotti (Zielinski)
Ronaldo 2 (Asensio, Diego) Costa (Marcelo)

Motm - CR7

-----

Newcastle 2-2 Pompey
Suarez (Mane) Coutinho (Pjanic)
Lewa (Alexis) KDB (Alexis)

MOTM - Pjanic

---------

Italy 0-1 Chelsea
Neymar (solo goal)

MOTM - Neymar

Comment deleted by Article Creator

--------------------- DeGea ---------------------
------------ Sanchez ---- Laporte -------------
Carvajal ----------------------------- A.Sandro
---------- Tolisso - Rabiot - Rakitic ----------
L.Bailey ------------------------------- Neymar
---------------------- Jesus ---------------------

Heaton, Lenglet, Danilo, Paredes, Poulsen, Fekir, Mbappe

We want to play high tempo football with plenty of possession, no point in long balls with the lack of height up front so lets start from the back and play through them, quick one touch, triangles to get beyond the lines of defence

In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.

Sanchez and Laporte at CB, Laporte picks up th CF, Sanchez sits spare, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, by getting onto them quickly and be strong, take the ball away from them and play it away, look to move it simply to Rabiot or our fullabacks as we look to start our attacks from deep.

Carvajal and Sandro at fullback, we must keep the wingers quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. A lot of focus today is getting the ball wide, so both can attack, hence the three in midifield, they drive down the line in support of the wingers, Sandro gets outside Neymar to allow him to cut inside whereas Carvajal will support Bailey by either pushing out wide or going inside to allow the winger to drive passed his man, but the two always make themselves available to the wingers.

Our midfield 3 are essential to our style of play, Rabiot central sits a little deeper as he looks to pick up the ball from CBs or GK, a quick turn and head up he will look to get us moving with a ball either out wide to Carvajal/Sandro or a little further up to the wingers, if he is getting hounded down then he is physical enough to brush these players off him, having Tolisso and Rakitic alongside allows him the time as they shield him, they don't allow anyone to get on top of Rabiot which gives him that extra second to get the ball moving. We can move very quickly from defence to attack, so if Portsmouth are up field and lose it then we can counter very quickly,
like said Tolisso and Rakitic are vital in both defensive and attacking mode, they with Rabiot shield our back 4 but when we are in control they will push just up ahead of Rabiot to support the attack, they will at times receive the ball from trhe fullbacks so a quick pass back or ahead to the wingers will get them away from the Pompey fullbacks. I want them to be a dominating midfield 3 in both defence and attack and work as a unit

In Leon Bailey and Neymar we will look to push them back up the pitch by pressing them, even when they have the ball these two are high energy players who will get into there faces, Neymar is not the best tacklers but if they get in front of them this will force the pass backwards. Bailey will win his fair share of tackles however as he is a tenacious little fcker. When attacking they will have the support from Carvajal/Sandro as we look to have a real go down the flanks, Bailey is more of a 'winger' than Neymar so he will drive down the line with pace, beating his man along the way, can use Tolisso and Carvajal as the three look to eventually get the ball into Jesus or Neymar driving in from the left. Neymar himself does all the fancy stuff, but it does tend to come off, so we allow him to be free today, with Sandro in support and Rakitic there making himself available like the right our left will be very dangerous

Jesus will get plenty chances, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Bailey and Neymar, who will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Neymar as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.

Captain - Rakitic
Penalties - Neymar
Free Kicks - Neymar
Corners - Jesus/Neymar

Subs

Losing -
70 Mins - Poulsen and Fekir for Rakitic and Jesus 442
80 Mins - Lenglet for Carvajal, 3 at the back, Sandro to LM and Neymar up top 343

Winning -
70 Mins - Paredes for Rakitic, to add some steel and freshness
80 Mins - Poulsen for Jesus, he will hold it up and win the majority of high balls
85 Mins - Lenglet for Neymar 451 with Lenglet to LB and Sandro to LM

Drawing
70 Mins - Poulsen for Jesus - try the high/long ball
80 Mins - Mbappe for Bailey, Fekir for Rakitic(he goes to No.10)

4-3-3 Total Football

A quick and direct game centred around numerical supremacy and the idea of overwhelming the Spain based on the speed of our transitions. Spain have a great attack, but they're not the best players for getting back so we feel we can get in between the lines against them and out number them when we get forward.

High tempo football played at pace. Attacking at pace down the wings, a pacey front three, looking to get balls in the box.

Everyone attacks, everyone defends. Well everyone attacks bar the cbs and Ndidi. Pure pace in our front four, with Asensio advancing to play off the forwards in possession. Ndidi keeps it simple in possession, Koke the deeper playmaker starting the attacks. Asensio and Koke the creative force in midfield.

We look to play our usual game and take the game to the Spain, passing out from the back and with an energetic midfield trio. Find space in between the opposition lines. Knock the ball about the opposition, tiring them out, and allowing us to push players forward into attack. Isolate their attacking players.

Costa up against Spanish defenders will bully them for fun, we have Hazard to the left who he loves to link up with. One fb bombs forward at a time, generally Odriozola, with Blind more reserved. Blind setting Hazard off to do his thing. Using this width to stretch the game.

As soon as we get the ball to our midfield, we look to move the ball quickly, quick passing and moving.

Ndidi the dm reading the play looking to win the ball back, Koke offers another strong defensive player next to him with Asensio's energy also important for pressing.


------------------- Neuer
Odriozola - Ramos - Romagnoli - Blind
---------------- Ndidi – Koke
------------------- Asensio
- Vitolo -------------------------- E.Hazard -
-------------------- D.Costa

Subs. Pereira, Blind, Kante, Ander.H, Thiago, Alena, Ronaldo

Defence

We have a quick defence and energy and pace in midfield to stop quick breaks.

We defend in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Asensio drops to LM. Vitolo RM. Allow Hazard the freedom of staying further forward, he simply sits on their dm.

Control the opposition by pressing the space with a narrow, compact rigid defensive unit. When we lose the ball the closest player presses the ball, the second closest presses the obvious passing channel. Looking to stop any attacks before they begin.

Look to leave no space for them in between the lines, make it difficult for them to create. They're great dribblers and so if they beat a man, they'll run into another. The wide midfielders will track any forward runs made by their fbs/wbs, and Ndidi presses the space in front of our cbs, sweeping up danger in front of the defence when it gets through.

In this tight formation narrowing to the side of play, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Ndidi will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, getting across to cut out any danger. The winger opposite play comes inside and picks up the other cm.

As we drop deeper we are really compact. No space in between the lines. Isolate their attackers and force them to take risks.

Attack

We will counter using our pace to break where possible, where it's not we build possession from the back. The defenders will be a bit more patient on the ball taking care with their passing. When the midfielders get the ball they look to move it quickly, playing quick one twos or spreading the play to our wingers/forwards.

Positional structure, in addition to our technical players will be key to our quick passing gameplan going forward. Our approach in build up is to play a flexible asymmetric shape, 3 defenders supported by double pivot that comes close to the first line to provide strong connection in order to transit the ball between the lines.

Blind tends to be the third defender. Ndidi will always be in the double pivot. The second player in the double pivot will be Odriozola/Koke. The other advances in line with Asensio, who will also have one of the wingers deeper next to him.

These players will look to find spaces in between the Spain lines. As we progress to this next line Ndidi stays in the dm position while the player next to him joins the next line. Looking to push more players further forward as we progress.

We let our attackers play their natural game in the final third. Create chances and score. Simple.

Subs. If winning after 66 mins bring on Ander for Asensio and Alena for Vitolo. Fresh legs and pace in important areas. Both also put in a shift.
If winning after 75 mins bring on Ronaldo for Costa. Big player to see it out/

If drawing after 70 mins bring on Ronaldo for Vitolo and Ander for Asensio. Costa next to Ronaldo, Hazard in a free role.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Thiago for Koke.

If losing after 60 mins bring on Ander for Ndidi.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Ronaldo for Vitolo. Hazard free role, Ronaldo and Costa up top.
If losing after 80 mins bring on Koke for Odrizola. 3-3-2-2. Asensio and Hazard in free role.

France vs VILLA
Injuries:
Roberto Gagliardini
Elseid Hysaj
David Luiz
Franck Kessie


..........................Leno………………………..
Candreva…………..Jones……….Mere…………Davies
……………………………..Coquelin……………………….
………………….Marchisio………..Pellegrini………….
Chiesa………………………..Cavani………………….Di Maria

Subs: Kohn, Godin, Modric, Brooks, Hamsik, Higuain, Iwobi


Away game vs the French – that nasty horrible disease.
I think a positive result puts us through and even with a few changes we have enough match-winners in there to go out and get the job the done, looking for a patient build-up style move the ball about don’t rush it we have bags of time on the clock to take our chances, slow slow slow draw the French out and then bam speed it up and hit them quickly with our pace out-wide.

Leno comes in to play between the sticks physically commanding presence will be off his line quickly to collect any high balls into the box. He’s German so automatically adds efficiency to the side.

We’ve noticed from our scouting that the French go two up top so Jones marks Balotelli and Mere will use his bulk to stifle Giroud – with the ball nothing risky just keep It moving, play the way your facing.

Candreva I usually deploy as a WB so starting slightly deeper is no bother for him, he and Luis are defensively sound but both are pretty good getting down the other end of the pitch, keep it wide and spread the pitch.

The midfield is all about control and game management, Coq-au-vin will sit in front of the defence and break up the supply to the front two, pretty simple task for someone of his skill-set. Don’t venture forward, just sit and allow the FB/WB’s to kick on together. Marchisio doesn’t have the legs anymore for a 2, but is perfect in my 3 – can put a foot in but is good on the ball, will have have the odd run but has younger legs around him so he can have a breather, Pellegrini has settled into life as a Romanista wonderfully and he’s my B2B’er today enjoys getting stuck in defensively but contributes going forwards too, will do the leg work for Marchisio but by no means carry him.

Cav leads the line, big and strong with a massive work-rate, although Chiesa and ADM line up as wingers I want them closer to him, to feed off his second to none build up play, our FB’s will be running the line so at times we’ll have a front 5, looking to overwhelm the French and forcing them to retreat (they’re good at that) deeper and deeper.

Subs 65 mins.

Brooks > Marchisio – Pellegrini sits a little deeper allowing Brooksy to play with that bit more freedom, clever little player with quick feet, may only have shown it in a lower league but not reason why he can’t thrive surrounded by better players.

Higuain > Cavani – like for like change

80mins

Modric > Pellegrini – adds that bit better class on the ball as we look to run the clock down

---------------------- Rico ---------------------
Bernardo --- Zouma ---- I.Diop --- Jorge
------ Kovacic --- Diawara --- Soler -----
Gelson ---------- Schick --------- Rashford

Dragowski, Gnagnon, Cyprien, Hughes, Malcom,
Oneyruku, Gelson

Captain: Rico
Penalties: Kovacic
Corners: Soler
Free Kicks: Rashford

Game Plan:

The key to our defensive structure will be the organised press, designed to suffocate the opposition's build up play and starve service to the forward line. We will try to recover possession immediately by applying pressure to the opponent in question high up the pitch. This pressure is ball-oriented, meaning our players shift their position relative to the location of the ball. This entails pressuring the ball-player, as well as cutting off his immediate passing options and any other potential passing lanes. Rather than focusing on the movement of individual players, we concentrate on the ball-player and his options.

If they are in a more established stage of the offensive phase, however, we will take up a slightly less assertive stance. The wingers fan out so the defensive shape is more of a 4-5-1, and individual players then take it in turns to join Schick in pressuring the opposition. If the ball is on the left inside channel, Soler will step out of the midfield line to apply pressure. This is most often used against sides with strong build-up play. However, even here, the focus continues to remain on the collective defensive positioning while using the ball as a trigger for any changes in shape.

The defence must move to where the ball is, not the position of the opponents. Balance is also fundamental, as if one full-back goes on the attack, the other one has to stay close to the centre-backs.

In order to avoid space opening up between the lines, this ball-oriented movement is something that must be carried out by the entire team, rather than just the attackers and midfielders. In this vein, we will play with a high defensive line which is integral to them in supporting this particular aspect of the team’s play.

When the opposition have the ball on one wing, the ball-near full-back will move up, while the other one will form a fairly compact three-man, one-line cover with the centre-backs. This move is done to scrutinise the opponent’s ball-player while maintaining good zonal coverage for passes or movements infield.

Our back four hold a high defensive line, often on or around the halfway line, depending on who has the ball and where the ball is within the opposition’s half. The primary reason for this positioning is to support the team’s high pressing scheme. Were the defensive line to play slightly deeper, this would leave a sizeable gap to the midfield line. This vertically in compact setup would then offer space between the lines for the opposition to exploit.

In holding a high line, the defence is able to support the high press of the attacking players, ensuring more comprehensive coverage. Should the opponent look to bypass the initial press with a ball over the top into midfield, our defensive line is in position to recover the loose ball or compress space for the opposition ball receiver, making the opponent’s possession less stable. Diop, in particular, will play an important role in this set up by being the physical centre back tasked with fighting the opposition centre forward, allowing Zouma room to sweep in behind, with the fullbacks and the keeper in cover.

Early build-up play is integral to our possession game. Instead of giving the ball to the deep-lying midfielder to then progress it immediately forward, the ball often circulates, with play often moving back to the central defensive and fullbacks. This circulation is done deliberately in an attempt to destabilise the opposition by undercutting their defensive shape and creating opportunities to move the ball into more dangerous areas or situations by drawing the opposition out of their defence.

Triangles are prominent within the team. Every player on the pitch is comfortable on the ball, this allows us to adopt a quick passing sequence that often results in a chance being created. As soon as the ball crosses over into the opposition's half, the movement of the midfield three and the attacking trio changes as the striker and the left winger will often come short to link up with the midfielders.

The intent here is to create an overload scenario when we move forwards with the ball. Rather than dropping into the defence like many DMs do in this formation, Diawara is integral to the team's passing ability in the middle and final thirds of the pitch. This, emboldened by the advancement of the full backs into wide midfield positions gives us strength in numbers to play the ball around the opposition's formation. The opposition is then left with two choices: they can either press and leave themselves open to quick movement and passes that dissect their midfield and defence, or they can sit back and refuse to press the line, allowing our centre backs to carry the ball further forward and for us to dictate play and look for openings at our own leisure.

The ball control and passing ability of our midfield is matched only by their intensity and work rate. Soler, in particular, will be key to our attacking build up as his dribbling skills and propensity to drive forward with the ball will create space for Kovacic to dictate the tempo. Soler's runs on the left hand side will also free Rashford to get in behind the defence - accompanied by Jorge’s passing ability on the left flank - and will also facilitate in the oppostion shifting to our right, which will give Gelson space to get into creative positions and unlock their defence.

Our MO during the game is to move constantly. More importantly, we will, also, often operate in the space between the lines. This set-up will allow us to take advantage of the blindside of our opponent’s players. The opponents will always face our player’s movements and have to make decisions on whether to defend/chase/tackle a player or not at a frequency more than they used to. The end result is that the opponent often loses the defensive shape they prefer.


Substitutions:

65 Mins - Malcom for Gelson straight switch fresh legs and Fornals for Soler

75 Mins -
Losing - Malcom for Soler, Rashford up front 442 with attacking fullbacks

Winning - Gnagnon for Soler, go 541

Drawing - Oneyruku for Schick, Malcom for Gelson

Vs Germany

---------------------Svilar
--------Lindelof-----Vallejo——Umtiti
R.Pereira—-—Fabinho——Torreira————Gaya
—————Sabitzer——————Philipp
——————————Mariano

Subs: Pope, Latorre, A.Maier, Ceballos, Bernardeschi, Icardi, Abraham

Captain: Mauro Icardi
Corners: Marcel Sabitzer
Penalties: Mauro Icardi
Free Kicks: Fabinho/Mariano Diaz

We think we can target this German side’s narrow set up today with a high press and look to create plenty of chances ourselves. To do this we want Sabitzer and Philipp pushed up on the opposition CBs, with Mariano dropping deeper to protect the vertical passing option, the main DM, using his work-rate and strength to force the play wide if the opposition do get the ball to the DM, also there because if he can win the ball deep he can unleash his long range strikes. Our WBs will push forward to cover the opposition FBs, leaving them just enough space to lure the opponent into using them as a passing option in build up. Fabinho and Torreira then go man to man on the outer CMs, following them everywhere in the opponents build up, even if they drop deeper. CBs then taking up the forwards zonally, if the opponent goes longer we are better prepared aerially than they are. This should lure them into our trap of going wider in build up, when they do we use our WB to add depth to the press, pressing the ball side player and using his cover shadow to block the ball to the FB, or if he is pressing the FB, cover shadow on the winger. Ball side SS joins the press 2 v 1 and the ball side CM steps up to cover the lanes in to midfield, with the ball side CB pushing up to protect the space behind the WB, so that if they can find the winger, he is immediately under pressure to control the ball, with the CM and WB able to drop back and press from behind if the initial press is beaten. The 3-2-3-2 we use to press will give us strong vertical and horizontal compactness, allowing us to constantly press in threes. If they move the ball central after beating the initial press the SS’s will drop in and we will become very narrow with 4 players in midfield, force them to have to go back to the flanks to find space.

If the press fails we commit a foul and slow the attack down, allowing us to get back behind the ball in a 5-4-1 shape. In this case the CBs will go zonal again as will the WBs, when the ball is in their zone they step out to press, aided by both CM and SS on their side, with the 4 man midfield having bags of energy. In these instances the rest of the 4 defenders drop deeper so the ball can’t be played behind us.

Going forward this formation, and in particular having two energetic DMs gives our front 3 total freedom to get at the opponents in behind and in the half spaces. We look to get the ball to the front three at the earliest possible moment, and we do so by building in the half spaces, with Lindelof and Umtiti both confident stepping forward with the ball. When they step out of the back line ball side WB, CM and and SS will drop in towards play to create a diamond that draws the opposition press, from here we look to quickly switch play to the opposite half space where our SS will be waiting to receive the ball on the free side. To help him find space the WB on his side will be pushed really high look to occupy the opposition FB and the spare CM position deeper closer to Vallejo so that there are no opponent markers in the diagonal passing lane. If the diagonal lane isn’t open then we suspect their CM will focus more heavily on marking our ball side CM than our SS as he will be the player more directly involved in play, to open up a passing lane to the SS the ball side CM will make a wide run to draw his marker, he can then make a third man run to overlap the SS and take the attention of the FB. Once we have the ball in the final third this formation has a lot of versatility, the WBs can push right on and occupy the FBs which allows our SS’s more space to use the half space or provide overlapping runs and double up on the WBs. The SS’s can start in their own half space but move closer to each other to form tighter and quicker link up play, they can make runs in behind the defence too, and they can spread wider. CMs will look to form a solid base and move the ball quickly in to the forwards but at times they are able to make attacking runs, Torreira in particular. Wide CBs are encouraged to get involved, with the far side CB able to step into the midfield during attacks and act as a free man for transitions to the opposite side of play. Mariano looks to use his muscle to occupy the CBs, he can hold the ball up and link up quickly with the SS’s but at times he is also able to drop deeper, get on the ball and run at the opposition, put them on the back foot, draw out a CB and allow Philipp to make use of his runs behind.


Subs:

If Winning: Arne Maier for Philipp 70’, 3-5-1-1, Maier gives us a very solid midfield 3, with Sabitzer ahead to create a diamond shape off the ball and keep things very tight. Ceballos and Latorre for Sabitzer and Gaya 80’.

If Drawing: Ceballos for Fabinho 70’, look to move the ball faster. Icardi and Bernardeschi for Pereira and Mariano 75’.

If Losing: Bernardeschi and Icardi for Lindelof and Sabitzer 60’, 4-4-2. Abraham for Mariano 70’.

NEWCASTLE

-----------------------Lloris
-----Marquinhos-----Sule-----Koulibaly
Florenzi-----Pjanic------Nainggolan-------Rose
-------Salah-------Suarez---------Reus
Subs
Chesney, Ozil, Kondogbia, N'Zonzi, Clyne, Mane, Kane


Koulibaly is the defensive leader and will be the one to set the defensive line on the pitch, the centre backs will always stay back to stop counter attacks, The CB"s will communicate with each other so they are clear in where the attacking threats are. When dealing with the opposition, we will avoid sliding tackles unless necessary instead looking to use our experience to just guide players off the ball. When on the ball, if the opposition are giving them space to come out with the ball, then they should take it forward, if not, keep it simple and play it to a man in space with the occasional long ball to the front 3 or the wing backs thrown in to keep the opposition from setting up against one style of play.




For the wing backs today the objective is to provide the width for the team and keep the oppositon stretched as much as possible, both still have a defensive mindset so will be getting back into a back 5 if we lose the ball. They will only occasionally put floated crosses in, preferring to either play shorter passes to the players who have come out from the middle of the pitch to keep possession and let the pressure build up in the final third, or run to the byline and put in fast and low crosses relying on both the faster reactions and control of our attackers and the pressure of the situation on their centre backs to hastily clear the ball without being in full control of the situation.


The focus of the midfield 2 will be to use their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the middle of the pitch, working to control the midfield battle whilst still having the attacking nous to create chances for us. When we are in the attacking third, they will always be looking to make themselves available for a pass to keep recycling the ball, keeping the pressure up with us looking to use the movement of the other CM's and the front 3 to drag the opposition defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. They also all have an eye for a pass so will look to take advantage of the front 3 all flitting around and play them in with through balls and quick one touch play. We will also occasionally take the occasional long shot, with the aim being to make sure defenders aren't content to sit back and forcing them to make a decision. When defending, they are looking to press the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs/Wingers in conjunction with other players as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.




Both wingers today will be looking will be to drift around when deeper players are in possession, looking to combine with the other attacking players to get little areas of space before using their pace and trickery respectively to drift between the CB and FB and get in behind them. When they are on the ball the emphasis will be more on cutting inside with the occasional long shot to test the keeper, and only occasionally putting in crosses, getting involved in a fast intricate style of passing with the centre mids and Suarez, looking to create the passing triangles which will just take players out of the game. They should also look to run at players as they will be cautious not to give away a set piece due to the ability of our set piece takers. When the opposite winger has the ball, the one without the ball should look to find space between the CB and FB to add an extra body in the box. When defending, they should be stopping the passing lines to the full backs primarily, then focus on ensuring our full backs dont get outnumbered.



When Suarez is attacking, he will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get himself a bit of space enough for him to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, He will also be looking to use his reactions to get ahead of the defender and then use his strength to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul, his unpredictable style when on the ball will look to cause a bit of doubt in the minds of the defenders as he has a knack of bouncing it off peoples shins and it landing in a perfect position for himself to create a chance for himself or others. He also has a knack of being the first to react to get onto rebounds or parries and taking those one touch chances.
When defending, he will be working with the wingers to cut off the passing lines for their CB's, forcing them or the keeper to launch it long, then using his tireless energy reserves to work back and press their centre mids.




Set Pieces


Corners - Pjanic takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out between the posts, the WB's stay back to prevent counters, 2 of the CB's and Suarez work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a run at the ball.





Free Kicks - Pjanic takes Direct FK's



For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners





Penalties - Suarez is the designated taker.

Subs



If Winning


70 mins - Clyne for Rose - The wing backs stay back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.




82 + 86 Mins - N’Zonzi for Radja and Ozil for Reus - Actively time waste and Mourinho the opposition.



If Drawing
70 Mins - Ozil for Radja - Add a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.

If Losing



67 Mins - Ozil and Mane for Radja and Rose - The wings backs act as wingers and just pile forward in numbers.

Injuries:- Aaron Ramsey, Gianluigi Buffon, Matthew Targett, Rodrigo Hernandez, Sami Khedira.

-------------------------Pickford-----------------------
----Valencia---Boateng-----Koscielny----Wendell----
--------------------Can-----------Matic-------------------
-----Berardi------------James--------------Perrotti-----
---------------------------Belotti---------------------------
Subs: Scuffet, de Vrij, Montoya, Vecino, Lo Celso, Mandzukic, Volland.

In this game we look to really take control of this group now by securing 3 points against a youthful and energetic Stoke side. As this is a well-assembled more potentially potent side here, the main aim here it play to play quick, short passes at a high tempo to move this Stoke side around. We want to have quick interchanges and players within 5-10 yards of each other so that we can link the play up and build some excellent moves. This can also help us defensively as we can condense the play, so if we lose the ball we have plenty of bodies and covering players in that zone to help win the ball back or at least slow down their counter attacks.

Defensive:
For a change, the defence isn't the main focus of our game plan here. But we still have to be structured and focused when we don't have the ball. They will have a lot of energy and I expect that they will look to use that energy and sheer pace in their front line to cause us problems. However we do have 2 very good full backs who are fast as well and capable of winning the ball and both of our CB's here have the positional awareness to drop off at times, especially Koscielny, and see the danger through. In front of this defence, I feel as though Can will provide the energy in front of Matic who will have the energy to track and press their midfield. James will put pressure on their deepest midfielder in order to win the ball back higher up and Matic will be the pivot in the midfield who really protects the defence and uses his large frame to be able to win the ball back in midfield. He's a very good ball winner and that's what we need and we need him to distribute the ball into wide/attacking areas early, likewise with Can who is capable of making attacking bursts forward as well. Belotti can be important defensively for us as he needs to look for an area in which provides space for us to break away. Peeling down the flanks might be a good piece of movement if the space opens up, but it all depends on the scenario. Rather than pressing a midfielder and sitting in, he needs to look to pick a space where we can break quickly and effectively without the ball.

Attacking:
This is where our primary focus of our play will be throughout the game, as we need to win to take advantage in this group now. First of all, we have natural width and old fashioned out and out wingers on the flanks. With attacking full backs to suit as well, we want to make this pitch look as wide as possible to open up as much space in this Stoke defence as possible. With Matic covering, our full backs are free to support our wingers throughout. Our wingers have quality and are well accomplished crossers of the ball and I feel every bit of that will be needed here in order to put their defence under pressure. Can will look to support James and our wingers with our attacks. As mentioned, we want the play to be condensed into an area at times so we can play short, quick passes to play through Stoke's lines. As an example scenario, we could have our attack built down the right hand side with Berardi, Valencia, Can, James and Belotti in an area where we can play short passes. If we can't find a way through in this area and give possession away, we have plenty of bodies in that area to either win the ball back, slow their counter attacks down or maybe the odd tactical foul every now and then to stop them breaking altogether. If we fail to find the space or the pass the get in behind the Stoke defence, then we have the option of switching it to Perrotti and Wendell on the other flank. The idea behind this is we can have them both in acres of space on the other flank in order to get into a 2v2 with their full back and winger on that side, in the hopes we can work the ball quickly to get one of them in behind. Should we be able to get them either Perotti or Wendell in behind, Belotti, James and Berardi must be one's who race into the area, looking for the space quickly in the area to attack the cross. Can floats around on the edge of the box out of the melee in case anything falls his way and Valencia holds his runs and sticks on the far post in case it runs all the way through. However, the key to our attack is quick, short passes at a high tempo to get in behind the Stoke defence.

Subs:

Volland > Belotti, 75 mins
Vecino > Can, 80 mins
Lo Celso > James, 80 mins

-------------------------- Ederson
------- Alderwer'd ----- Varane ----- Javi.M
Oxlade ---- Fernandinho ----- Partey ------- Ghoulam
------ O.Dembele ----- Werner ------ A.Martial

Subs: Meret, Mendy, Gibbs, Vidal, Eriksen, Ounas, Mertens

Defensively solid, making it difficult for our opponents to break us down. High energy in midfield.

Attacking trio always on the move, linking up and using their pace to drive forward. Press from the front.

3-4-3:
It starts from the back. Ederson is very able with his hands and feet and should look to find our players in space.

The CB trio are excellent on the ball, very good passing success rates and should look to move the ball into mf quickly. At times collecting short from Ederson and getting their heads up, looking for movement from the attackers and attempting diagonal or long balls into feet.

Alder & Javi.M should shift slightly wider when on the offense allowing our wing-backs to push up in a bank of 4 in mf. Varane marking their ST due to his superior speed.

Fernandinho and Partey, a midfield pair that will provide plenty of energy and will work their socks off for the side to allow others around them to express themselves. They should look to stamp their authority with their work rate and power looking to take a grip on mf and shielding our defence, oppressing the opposition midfielders and covering every blade of grass.

When attacking, Fernandinho sits just infront of the defence and makes himself available for a pass back. A passing outlet if we are being vigorously pressed whilst also allowing us to create space when working the ball around in triangles, also prevent counter attacks.

O.Dembele and Martial have free roles in attack, generally starting wider but often looking to come inside and dragging defenders towards them. Allow us to break quickly when we recover possession, transitioning lightning quick from defence to attack when the opposition have lost their organisation at the back.

They should also look to come deeper and roam in the oppositions half, looking to act as the link between midfield and attack. Picking up pockets of space and using their awareness & pace to dictate the play and drive, never afraid to play a key pass in behind to unlock their defence and creating space for Werner in behind.

Flanks will be key as we look to expose them in wide areas and create space in midfield.

Two powerful WG-backs in Oxlade and Ghoulam, need to hug the touchline and provide the width allowing us to stretch the opposition. Always on the move so we can can get them in behind and use them as outlets going forward when picking a pass.

Very possession orientated, comfortable playing quick 1-2's and accelerating into space, overlapping often and getting early deliveries into the box for our striker/s to attack.

As well as scoring goals Werner has a big role today, should often look to come deep and link with others, hold up play and take the CB with him, spinning beyond and opening up the space for our WG-backs and Dembele/Martial to run into.

When Chelsea are in possession we will initially look to press from front with our 3 forwards (O.Dembele, Werner and Martial) and then drop off deeper with men behind the ball if they bypass with a strong block of 4.

Don’t allow them to play out from the back and hurry their passes. Our attackers form a trio looking to cut avenues into central and wide areas whilst our cm’s push up slightly, force them into tight spots with their backs to goal towards the touchline.

The reason we want our front two to press is to force Chelsea to play long and concede possession, we feel they lack any sort of aerial presence in the side so are less likely to win contested duels.

If they advance we then form a rigid structure looking to press the space and dropping off with men behind the ball, only allowing them to play where we want them too, stifle the midfield and stop them from picking their passes into an attacker, Fernandinho man-man their AM, looking to harass him and using his physical prowess to really put him off his game, Partey cutting off passing lanes.

Our wingbacks and wide CB's should interlink throughout, off the ball our wing-backs need to track back and help with defensive duties preventing overloads. Keep them wide and give them no space to work with.

Essentially a 5-4-1, 5 in mf working to minimise the space in midfield zones and preventing them from finding their attackers. Our wing-backs drop off to mark the oppositions wingers and help our CB's to prevent any space being left in behind.

Key is leaving no gaps or space to get in behind, working as a staunch unit so their quick attackers have to come deeper to get involved making their first point of contact with the ball much deeper than they anticipated and notably further away from our final third.

When we have them deep we have more to work with, we can plug at them and tactically foul in areas that will prevent them from playing with any flow, breaking up the game.

If we manage to win the ball we must immediately look to counter and hit the opposition hard. Ox & Ghoulam can come up to support the play and provide the width. The front 3 burst forward.

Subs:
Mertens > Werner – 70th min
Vidal > Partey - 70th min
Ounas > Dembele - 80th min

C – Javi.M
Fk’s – O.Dembele
Corners – Martial/ Ghoulam
Pens - Werner

For what ever reason didnt see Torreira was injured, can you replace him with Zielinski and knock a slot off

And Portsmouth lose a slot as well tino

------------------------- DeGea --------------------------
Henrichs ----- Sanchez ----- Lenglet ----- A.Sandro
----------- Rakitic --- Busquets --- Draxler -----------
Mbappe -------------- G.Jesus --------------- Neymar

Heaton, Paredes, Pogba, Bailey, Coman, Aguero, Poulsen

We want to play high tempo football with plenty of possession, no point in long balls with the lack of height up front so lets start from the back and play through them, quick one touch, triangles to get beyond the lines of defence

In goal De Gea a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, shouting instructions to his defenders. Out very quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.

Sanchez and Lenglet at CB, Lenglet picks up th CF, Sanchez sits spare, keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, by getting onto them quickly and be strong, take the ball away from them and play it away, look to move it simply to Busquets or our fullbacks as we look to start our attacks from deep.

Sandro and Henrichs at fullback, we must keep the wingers quiet, stop them and we stop a lot of there attacks. Both are perfect for this, They will look to keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. A lot of focus today is getting the ball wide, so both can attack, hence the three in midfield, they drive down the line in support of the wingers, Sandro gets outside Neymar to allow him to cut inside whereas Henrichs will support Mbappe by either pushing out wide or going inside to allow the winger to drive passed his man, but the two always make themselves available to the wingers.

Our midfield 3 are essential to our style of play, Busquets central sits a little deeper as he looks to pick up the ball from CBs or GK, a quick turn and head up he will look to get us moving with a ball either out wide to Sandro/Henrichs or a little further up to the wingers, if he is getting hounded down then he is physical enough to brush these players off him, having Rakitic and Draxler alongside allows him the time as they shield him, they don't allow anyone to get on top of Busquets which gives him that extra second to get the ball moving. We can move very quickly from defence to attack, so if Wolves are up field and lose it then we can counter very quickly,
like said Rakitic and Draxler are vital in both defensive and attacking mode, they with Busquets shield our back 4 but when we are in control they will push just up ahead of Busquets to support the attack, they will at times receive the ball from the fullbacks so a quick pass back or ahead to the wingers, playing the ball in triangles to get round the opposition quickly will get them away from the Wolves fullbacks/midfielders. I want them to be a dominating midfield 3 in both defence and attack and work as a unit. Draxler will be the one furthest up field to support Jesus , looking to get him in on goal or indeed have a go himself,

In Mbappe and Neymar we will look to push them back up the pitch by pressing them, as everyone keeps reminding me these two aren't the best tacklers or at tracking back all I want them to do is get into the face of the fullbacks, stop them breaking up the pitch and getting up to support their own forwards. When attacking they will have the support from Henrichs/Sandro as we look to have a real go down the flanks, Mbappe is more of a 'winger' than Neymar so he will drive down the line with pace, beating his man along the way, can use Rakitic and Henrichs as the three look to eventually get the ball into Jesus or Neymar driving in from the left. Neymar himself does all the fancy stuff, but it does tend to come off, so we allow him to be free today, with Sandro in support and Draxler there making himself available like the right our left will be very dangerous

We want a high tempo game from our midfield 5 if you want to call it that, passing and moving, getting it out wide to where we see our strengths, push them back wards even when they have the ball, they may well have possession but if its in there own half they wont cause us many problems.

Jesus will get plenty chances, he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular Mbappe and Neymar & Draxler, who will be making his runs also so be watchful of him just to lay it off to the side. But especially look for Neymar as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.If he cant go for goal he will look to bring others into the game with short passes or lay offs.

Captain - Busquets
Penalties - Neymar
Free Kicks - Neymar
Corners - Wingers

Subs

Winning -
70 Mins - Paredes for Draxler, will sit in and help contain them
80 Mins - Poulsen for Jesus, will hold it up, win high balls, bully defenders

Losing -
70 Mins - Pogba for Rakitic, will try and open them up from deep
75 Mins - Aguero for Jesus, Poulsen for Draxler 442

Drawing
70 Mins - Bailey for Mbappe, Pogba for Draxler
80 Mins Poulsen forJesus

----------------------- B.Leno ----------------------
Valencia --- Kompany --- Manolas --- Wendell
--------------------- M.Llorente --------------------
-------------- Goretzka ---- Pellegrini ------------
----- Costa --------- A.Belotti ------- James -----

Dahlberg, Veltman, Ramsey, Cyprien, Barkley, el Shaarawy, Aspas


In goal Leno, a super confident keeper, excellent shot stopper, who will close down strikers and reduce there shooting angels, look to spread the play from the back and release our wide men early. Many attacks will start from the goalkeeper.

Valencia and Wendell have freedom to attack, but only one at a time, one always staying back so we will have a back 3, they will bomb down the line supporting the wingers, which will allow the winger to cut inside and support Belotti. They look to play one twos with the attacking midfield 3 which will get him beyond there fullback and whip in dangerous crosses. Both tough defenders and intelligent so know when to tackle and when just to try and shimmy out wide. When defending and on the cautious side and remain vigilant at all times in the line of four, keep it tight.. Manolas the more mobile and quicker CB will mark the CF, use his strength and speed to keep the CF away from the danger area. Kompany alongside is the spare defender and helps out where needed, both strong defenders, dominate in the air and good on the ball, so when in possession they can carry the ball out from defence and look to send our forwards away. Stay tight as a four and let nothing through. Manolas and Kompany up for corners, fullbacks and Marcos Llorente stay back. When we are in possession the ball will come from the back, so these guys must look for movement ahead of them so they can pick there pass, both Manolas and Kompany are comfortable with ball at feet and will take the ball out of defence to allow them to come on to us before he passes, this will create space as hew will force them to break away from the players they are marking..

Marcos Llorente's primary role is to win possession and then start an attacking phase. Within this he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defence where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward.Take care of of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat

Pellegrini is our box-to-box midfielder and has responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for team mates, whilst also helping in the defensive third. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running they are expected to do. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks. Goretzka's main responsibility is to create chances for the three attackers in front of him. He will often find himself the furthest forward of the three midfielders and sometimes even in the number 10 role if the correct situation arises. The main requirement of Goretzka is creativity; he needs to be able to play a pass that penetrates the opposition’s defense or dictates the direction of the attack These three should work well together and between them have everything a midfield needs.

Costa and James are going to cause problems out wide, with the support they will have, they will look to push the fullbacks back and get into the danger area. both sides will definitely pose a threat with quick one twos, using Gortzka and Pellegrini to play around them with the ball going in triangles quickly until the break is on. If fulbacks drives passed wingers they can cut inside looking to make a nuisance of himself centrally. Costa will use his tricks and flicks and pace to get him where he wants to be, again using Goretzka to get into danger areas. Both wingers have a fantastic forward to aim for in Belotti so if they get to the bye line then get the crosses in for him to attack.Belotti will get plenty chances, however he must put away there side who will be solid at the back, however I want to target the slower of the two/three with the aid of the midfield and the wingers. Get into positions that he can go for goal or at very least drag players away for other players to drive into the space. Again, target the slower of the cbs, split them apart to create space, we are quick, so our forwards must hit them with pace to drag them all over the place. He can score from various angles/ranges with hopefully a few crosses coming in he can get up and above defenders for. Can hold it up and look for runners, in particular the wingers and Goretzak will be making his runs also so be watchful of them just to lay it off to the side if he cant go for goal himself. But especially look for James as he times his runs perfectly so a little touch back to him allows him to go for goal.

Captain - Kompany
Pens - Belotti
Free Kicks - James
Corners - James

Subs

Losing -
70 Mins - el Shaarawy for Pellegrini go 4231 wirh El Shaarawy LW and James No.10
80 Mins - Veltman for Valencia go 3 at the back and Aspas for Wendell he goes up top 3412

Winning -
70 Mins - Cyprien for Pellegrini same role just fresh legs
80 Mins - Veltman for Costa, he goes to RB to strengthen the defence and Valencia just ahead of him
85 Mins - Aspas for Belotti to hold it up take to corners etx

Drawing -
70 Mins - Aspas for Belotti, Barkley for Pellegrini to push further up, el Shaarawy for Costa

NEWCASTLE 4-3-3

Captain: Luis Suarez
Penalties: Luis Suarez
Corners:
Freekicks: Philippine Coutinho
Crossing Freekick: Phil Coutinho

—————————— Lloris
Florenzi — Sule — Marquinhos — Robertson
————————— Casemiro
—————— Nainggolan — Coutinho
Salah ————————————————— Mane
——————————— Suarez

SUBS: Firmino, Tierney, N’Zonzi, Keita, Ozil, Reus, Kane


We’ll press the opposition like Liverpool and win the ball as close to their goal as possible or move the ball up the pitch towards the opposition’s goal quickly. My 4-3-3 will overload his midfield and pin back his wing backs. We’ll use the quickness of our one touch, short passing game and using the pace & dribbling ability of the attacking players. However when the opposition get close to our box, we will revert to a defensive block to limit their chances. We defend and attack as a collective unit, limiting the space between the lines in which the opposition plays in.

We will start Coutinho in midfield to keep the ball rolling and take advantage of his penetrative passes.

When in attack we will get forward in numbers, using the footballing intelligence & movement of our attacking midfielders & striker to create passing angles and overloads in the opposition’s area of the pitch both out wide and in central zones, looking to drag the opposition’s players out of position and exploiting the space they leave open. When the opposition is using a deep defensive block to shut out our team we will use our fullbacks to create numbers out wide to stretch the opposition (this will be assisted by our CDM splitting the CBs wider allowing the FBs to move up the pitch) simultaneously using our wide-forward to cut inside to create overloads in the central areas giving us a number advantage. When creating chances from the wide areas with the FBs or WFs, we will send crosses in to feed the other forwards. Making runs behind the defence and beyond the striker is not prohibited by our attacking and central midfielders (minus CDM). There is a lot freedom in the movement of our attacking players. No player is restricted to a specific zone on the field or specific task. All four attackers (Coutinho, Salah, Mane, Suarez) will either be provider or finisher with Nainggolan supporting and Casemiro anchoring the midfield. Shooting from outside the box is encouraged. Our players will also press constantly from the front when we lose possession of the ball.

Offensive & Defensive Transitions:

This is the player's movements & reactions when moving between defence and attack, importantly the movement of the ball as this is arguably the most important aspect of our game. Winning the ball back when your opposition is disorganized is the perfect moment. We will aim for rapid movement up the pitch, with progressive passing to exploit the space left by the opposition. Whether it is from our defensive third of the pitch or whether we have won the ball back in our attacking third of the pitch we will exploit the disorganization of the opposition. We expect most of our attacking play will be as a result of our aggressive high press so we will use the following triggers for pressing the opponent:

1. The ball is played to a player facing his own goal

2. The ball is played to a player against the sidelines (using the sideline as an extra man in our favour)

3. A difficult bouncing ball is played to a player facing his own goal.

When any of these triggers happen, the players closest to the ball will press quickly and another 2 or 3 players will hold off slightly adding depth to the press and closing down their easy option pass. Once we win possession of the ball, we break in numbers again exploiting the opposition with either the pace of our attack. We also understand that we won't always get it right when pressing the opposition so we will employ a 10-second rule on pressing from the front after which, if we did not win back possession, we will revert to our defensive block. If we don’t win the ball after our initial phase of pressing it's imperative that the players work their way back into our defensive zone of the pitch and close the space that the opposition will look to play in. Close the space quickly and look to frustrate the opposition with intelligent positioning and hard tackling before winning the ball back and breaking forward at rapid speed. We will compact the central zones and force the opposition wide which limits the chances of breaking through our midfield. Long diagonal balls and quick releases from deep are encouraged when the opportunity arises. Our forwards have the pace to run onto through-balls.

We go into our defensive block if we cannot win the ball through our pressing. As a team we will defend deep in our half and close the space in the middle of the pitch. When forcing the opposition closer to the touchlines, we will use the touch line as an extra-man and press them so that we can win possession and result in us outnumbering them. If the play is on the left of the field the team will move towards the left and squeeze the space and vice versa on the right. We will try to force our opponents to play hopeful crosses into our box. If a cross is coming from their right our LB will also move into the box to help deal with crosses and vice versa if the cross is coming from the left. The midfielders will be around the box pressing the opponent should they try to play it central. Our wide forwards will help the midfield in closing the space in the centre and then proceed to help the fullback after we have moved the opponent towards the touchline. The wide-forwards are the real work horses in the team and I have 2 very good, hard-working wide-forwards. Our striker will also drop into our half to help the midfield press the opposition’s defence. Also the reasoning behind dropping the striker deep is to draw the opponent’s defence away from their goal creating ample space for us to counter attack.

Substitutions:

If winning after 80 mins bring on N’Zonzi for Coutinho. More physical presence in midfield, and gives greater defensive cover.

If drawing or losing after 65 mins bring on Keita for Nainggolan. Fresh creativity and legs.

If drawing or losing after 75 mins bring on Kane for Coutinho. Casemiro will press higher to win the ball back quickly. Kane with more goal threat, plays up front with Suarez, in a 4-4-2.

Attacking 4-2-3-1

A must win game, we look to take the game to the Germans. An established centre back partnership with a strong defensive left back and the best defensive cover they could ask for at dm. This strong defence gives the attacking players freedom when attacking to get at the Germans. We look to press them high up the pitch, must win game so we go with a high tempo.

Ronaldo given the role up front, he loves playing in Europe in must win games, we look for a performance from him today.

Key to our game plan today, is quick passing moves in the midfield and using our pace out wide. With a high tempo midfield, we want plenty of movement from the midfielders to get us on top.

In midfied, we go with Thiago in a deep playmaker role next to Kante. Thiago looking to link the defence and attack and create. In front we go with fantastic pace and ability to create, with Ronaldo the danger man, creating space for the trio and getting in the box to finish any chances.

The midfield should never be flat. Create as many lines as possible to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition. Our wide attackers, and the attacking fb look to give us width and stretch the game.

We will also try the odd long ball, either direct to Ronaldo or over the top for the pace of our forwards to run on to.

We defend in a rigid defensive unit behind the ball, the two closest players pressing the ball, the others getting back and pressing the space so that they have no options to break.

------------------- Neuer
Odriozola - Stones - Otamendi - Azpilicueta
-------------- Kante - Thiago
Malcom -------- Asensio ---------- E.Hazard
------------------ Ronaldo

Subs. Schmeichel, Ramos, Can, Herrera, Koke, Sylla, Costa

Key to our attack is quick attacking play. Varying our play and how we get the ball to our front three in space.

Defending high up the pitch

We look to control the opposition by pressing the space high up the pitch with a narrow rigid defensive unit. When we lose the ball the closest player presses the ball, the second closest presses the obvious passing channel. As they’re doing this everyone else bar Ronaldo gets behind the ball into position. Stop them breaking.

Force them in to positions where they have to take risks, and then try and win the ball back.

As the Germans advance into higher areas of the park and into our half, our shape will resemble a 4-5-1, narrowing to the side of play.

In this tight rigid formation, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation. Kante will be key, reading the play in between the defence and midfield, reading any dangers to get across.

Narrowing the play to the side the Germans are attacking, pushing them backwards and wide away from danger. When they switch play, we switch over.

Attack

Centre backs play out, they have the option to go long or have Kante and Thiago offering options. Get the ball to our attacking midfield trio.

The attacking trio in front will always be looking for space in between their midfield and attack. Odriozola as well will always be making himself available advanced down the right

We want quick one twos in the opposition half. Asensio, Thiago, Odiozola and the wingers will always be looking for the killer ball. If it is not on, we are happy to keep possession, attacking down the wings.

Ronaldo has freedom to play his natural game and get the goals.

Subs.

If winning after 70 mins bring on Costa for Ronaldo. No let up, fresh power against their defence.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Koke for Malcom. Asensio goes right.
If winning after 83 mins bring on Sylla for Asensio. Fresh pace on the right.

If drawing or losing after 55 mins bring on Costa for Malcom. 4-2-2-2. Attack. Ronaldo free role next to Costa who will create the space. Asensio right.
If drawing or losing after 65 mins bring on Koke for Odriozola. More creativity and ability to play balls into the box for the big men. 3-5-2.

If drawing or losing after 75 mins bring on Ramos for Thiago. Ramos plays up front with Ronaldo and Costa. Three players up front that love a headed goal, route one. Simple.

----------------------- Ederson
Zappacosta --- Alderwer'd --- Javi.M ---- Kolasinac
----------------------- Khedira
------------ David Silva ------- Partey
O.Dembele ------ Lewandowski ------------- Martial

Subs: Meret, Walker, Ghoulam, Gerson, KDB, Sanchez, Werner

4-3-3 - Possession based:
It starts from the back. Ederson is very able with his hands and feet and should look to find our players in space.

The CB duo are excellent on the ball, very good passing success rates and should look to move the ball into mf quickly. At times collecting short from Ederson and getting their heads up, looking for movement from the attackers and attempting diagonal or long balls into feet, using Lewandowski/Dembele/Martial as target men to bypass their mf.

Khedira & Partey, a midfield pair that will provide plenty of energy and will work their socks off for the side to allow others around them to express themselves. They should look to stamp their authority with their work rate and power looking to take a grip on mf and shielding our defence, oppressing the opposition midfielders and covering every blade of grass out there.

When attacking, Khedira sits just infront of the defence and makes himself available for a pass back. A passing outlet if we are being vigorously pressed whilst also allowing us to create space when working the ball around in triangles, also prevent counter attacks.

David Silva will look to play more the AM role and inbetween the lines, roaming in the oppositions half and and looking to act as the link between midfield and attack. Pick up pockets of space and use his awareness to dictate the play, never afraid to play a key pass in behind to unlock their defence.

Defensively will look to work in a 3, looking to work in tandem with Khedira and Partey to close down quickly and cutting out passing lanes. At times sitting deeper and dictating the tempo allowing Partey/Khedira to go on beyond and link with our forwards.

Flanks will be key as we look to expose them in wide areas and create space in midfield.

Ousmane and Martial need to get involved as much as possible looking to influence the game, both two footed & excellent dribblers that more often than not will beat their man, need to get their heads down and accelerate with pace, linking with our fullbacks as they hug the touchline and open up the space ahead.

Always on the move and being unpredictable, never stay idle and easy to mark. Making off the ball runs and taking defenders with you, keeping them in two minds whether to stay or go.

When in possession, our fullbacks take it in turns to burst forward. One sits slightly back allowing the other to roam forward looking to provide the width, allowing the wingers space to drive into or an option on the outside.

Lewandowski has a big role today, very prolific and great killer instinct but one of those strikers that influences the play even without the ball at his feet. He should look to come deep often and link with others, hold up play and take the CB with you, opening up the game and space for our wingers and Silva to run into beyond.

When Italy are in possession we will initially look to press from front with our attacking trio and then drop off deeper with men behind the ball if they bypass with a strong block of 3 in midfield.

Don’t allow them to play out from the back and hurry their passes. Our attackers form a trio looking to cut avenues into midfield as one goes to press the ball, force them into tight spots with their backs to goal towards the touchline.

The reason we want our attackers to press is to force Italy to play long and concede possession, we feel they lack any sort of aerial presence in the side so are less likely to win contested duels.

If they advance we then form a rigid structure looking to press the space and dropping off with men behind the ball, only allowing them to play where we want them too, stifle the midfield with our 3 and stop them from picking their passes into an attacker, Partey man-man their AM, looking to harass him and using his physical prowess to really put him off his game, Khedira and Silva cutting off passing lanes either side.

Key is leaving no gaps or space to get in behind, working as a staunch unit so their quick attackers have to come deeper to get involved making their first point of contact with the ball much deeper than they anticipated and notably further away from our final third.

When we have them deep we have more to work with, we can plug at them and tactically foul in areas that will prevent them from playing with any flow, breaking up the game.

If we manage to win the ball we must immediately look to counter and hit the opposition hard. FB’s can come up to support the play and provide the width. The front 4 burst forward, Khedira and Partey holding.

C - Lewandowski
FK's - D.Silva/ close - Lewandowski
Corners - D.Silva
Pens - Lewandowski

Subs: (like for like)
Werner > Lewandowski - 70th min
KDB > Silva - 70th min
Gerson > Partey - 80th min

——————---——Svilar
R.Pereira---—Lindelof---—Skriniar—Gaya
—————Torreira——Milinkovic-Savic
—Sabitzer———Dybala———Lemar
———————Morata

Subs: Pope, Vallejo, Ceballos, Tielemans, Bernardeschi, Philipp, Mariano

Captain: Thibaut Courtois
Free Kicks: Paulo Dybala(left/centre)/Fabinho(right)
Corners: Marcel Sabitzer
Penalties: Paulo Dybala

Our build up will usually take place in a 2-3-2-3/3-2-2-3 today in order to create overloads and passing lanes within the opposition lines of defence. For a clean build up we need numerical superiority so if they press with their forwards R.Pereira will tuck in next to the CBs whilst Milinkovic-Savic and Torreira drop to receive the ball from the defence, with Dybala and Lemar occupying the 10 spaces and Gaya and Sabitzer high and wide to stretch the opposition back line. If they drop off then we change this by having R.Pereira pushing into CM to create a 3 man CM. This will then allow our CBs to bring the ball forward and play the ball to one of the three CMs, once this happens one opposition midfielder will have to step out to slow play down and this will open space up for Dybala and Lemar in behind the opposition midfield.

Once we establish dominance of possession and force opposition to be more compact defensively to stop these gaps opening up our aim is to create overloads to create space in the opposite side, usually this would be through the flanks or the half spaces. To make this happen we need constant movement of players and clever ball circulation, with never more than 3 players in vertical or horizontal alignment, working in triangles or duos, so that when Gaya stretches high and wide, Lemar takes up the half space, when Gaya sits deeper and inverted, Lemar occupies the touchline, when Gaya is infield, Milinkovic-Savic can move forward into the half space etc.

To create space on the flanks we we build up centrally, inverting R.Pereira at all times as he can occupy the right half space and pick his passes from there, including the long diagonal switches to the underloaded flank that’s going to kill the opposition today. By having a 3 man midfield of R.Pereira, Torreira and Gaya/Savic and then Dybala and Sisto/Savic further a head in the half spaces we give opposition's midfield a lot more space to cover and they will need their wingers to respond by tucking in, once this happens we will create 1 v 1’s on the flanks, where we have a clear advantage, we should be looking to get the ball to them as quickly as possible to take advantage, be that from the CMs or the CBs who can completely bypass their midfield with their passing range.

To open spaces in the half space we overload the opposite side so for example if the ball goes to the right half space with R.Pereira, Sabitzer comes deeper to support, Dybala drops to create a diamond and Torreira and Savic also push across to force opposition to commit numbers to defending this area. When we have them pulled across we look to switch the play quickly, be it with a long ball to the opposite flank where Gaya will wait to receive, or a flatter pass into the opposite side half space where Lemar will wait, in space ready to run at the opposition backline.

To finish off moves we look to get the ball into the box where Morata will be waiting to pounce, with Dybala and opposite side winger also able to flood the area for the passes.

Off the ball the 2-3-2-3 should allow us a solid structure to press the opposition quickly. The advanced 5 should be doing the pressing when the ball is lost up the field and from goal kicks, focusing on squeezing opposition into one corner, so if the ball goes to the RCB/RB Morata and the wide player are the first line press with the opposite winger and the 2 AM’s being the 2nd line press to block of the routes to the other side and vertical lanes, pen them in and force them to go longer, opposition's midfield won’t play through us today.

This then allows the remaining block of 5 to form a bowl shape around the opposition attackers, with R.Pereira and Savic/Gaya covering the half space and flanks, Skriniar marking the CF, and Lindelof providing the additional cover be it to his side or in front of him. Torreira covers the central ground, when others put the pressure on he comes to mop up with his great work rate and then use his passing range to restart attacks.

If we are forced to defend deeper we remain in our 4-2-3-1, a solid shape with allows us to cover the length of the field and keep our strength centrally with Torreira and Savic able to the dirty work whilst Dybala stops the DM dictating the tempo. Sabitzer and Lemar two hard-working wingers who will track back as is needed.

Subs:

If Winning: Bernardeschi and Philipp for Sabitzer and Sisto 70', fresh legs to continue with our excellent work rate off the ball, as well as offering a huge threat off it. Vallejo for Dybala 80’, 5-4-1.

If Drawing: Bernardeschi and Philipp for Sabitzer and Lemar 70’, fresh legs, Philipp someone who can play as another CF when Gaya attacks the flank. Ceballos for Savic 75’, look to get on the ball and control the tempo, make things happen.

If Losing: Mariano for Gaya 60’, 3-4-3 with offensive WBs, back 3 will go man to man. Philipp for Lemar 70’. Tielemans for Savic 75’, can play as our box to box and use his long range shooting as a weapon.

—————————Rico
Almamy——Zouma--—Diop——Jorge
-----------------------Diawara
-------------Soler-----------------Lo Celso
Neres-----------------Lukaku-----------Oyarzabal

Subs: Dragowski, Gagnon, Laimer, Barella, Balde Keita, Bertrand Traore, Schick

Captain: Issa Diop
Corners: Carlos Soler
Free Kicks: David Neres
Penalties: Balde Keita

Patient, frustrate them and wait for the chance to attack in behind. We expect them to want to play out from the back, we will allow their CBs possession of the ball and instead focus on defending their attackers. Our aim is to force them wider as this is where they will be least dangerous. Defend in a 4-4-2, Lukaku and Lo Celso as the first line of defence today will take up dealing with the DM, circle around him so that he cannot be effective in build up. That allows us to then get 8 players, two narrow banks of 4 to cover the rest of the space, making the centre of the field massively congested. Force them to try and build up wide and then shuffle across to use our same structure but in the wide areas, using the touchline as an extra weapon to press them.

Our midfield four will create a narrow zonal line, Neres and Oyarzabal occupying half spaces and Diawara and Soler the central lanes. The back four will also be narrow and compact to the the midfield line to keep everything very tight. Each player then will have their zone, when the ball enters this zone, particularly the midfield line, they will press the ball carrier whilst the other 3 drops behind the ball so we can put pressure on but not lose ur shape, when one midfielder steps out to press the ball side CF will come to press from behind. The combination of 3 compact lines and zonal pressure should force Villa to use the FBs more often, once this happens we can go 2 v 2 with wide man and FB, wide man pressing and FB behind to back him up. Lo Celso will drop back in and create a staggered diamond with the remaining 3 midfielders, Lo Celso at the tip moving towards ball side and Diawara at the base, not allowing gaps between the lines. Far side CM will step up to block any switches of play and the ball side CM will step across to block the route central. Any pass into this diamond and it narrows very quickly, all four players working hard to shut the ball carried and his passing lanes down. Keep the opposition down the flank, if it goes forward, wide man and FB press harder, if it goes backwards, wide man and Lo Celso press harder, working 2 vs 1. Back four should remain in their line at all times, when the ball side FB has to step out, the rest shuffle across. In Diop and Zouma we have the power and pace to deal with any type of CF.

Going forward we have a great amount of pace and we should be looking to target the opposition down the sides of their defence. Our two wingers love to burst forward and when we win the ball wide the first thing that needs to happen is that we take advantage of the space out wide, for example on the left, if Jorge wins it, Oyarzabal must make a run for him, if Oyarzabal wins it, Jorge must overlap into the space behind. Lo Celso and Soler will support offensive transitions from midfield, both have a lot of quality on the ball and the direct running to carry us forward and break through a midfield press, one looks to get close to Lukaku and the other stays a little deeper as a link man. Lukaku will be looking to pull on to the side of the CBs, he loves to get wide of them and drag them out of the centre to isolate them, and this is the run we want him to keep making. When we win it centrally then the first look must be for runners into wide areas. If its the wide men/FBs bringing it forward then we want a CM coming to support play and Lukaku running behind, sometimes swapping roles. Second option if we can’t attack the wide spaces is to use the CMs' dribbling through the middle, they have the beating of the opposition CMs for pace and skill and if he can take them out of the game it will force the CBs and FBs to leave their position and leave space for blind side runs for supporting players. Third option is longer balls into Lukaku, one touch lay offs to supporting players to burst beyond him, or lay offs into wider areas. He can also look to position himself for diagonal switches of play, attacking the free side of the pitch. Diawara works as a three with the CBs flanking him to keep things ticking over in the middle, switching between 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 3-4-3 in attack, using a flexible shape designed to overload the areas we are working in.

Subs:

If Winning: Gagnon for Lo Celso 70’, 5-4-1, control the length of the pitch with a back 5 and keep the middle compact. Barella for Oyarzabal 75’, we can even use a diamond midfield at times to close down space. Laimer for Soler 80’.

If Drawing: Balde Keita for Lo Celso 70’, more speed, look to get in behind and down the sides. Bertrand Traore for Oyarzabal, Schick for Neres 75’

If Losing: Change to a 3-5-2 with Almamy CB, Oyarzabal RWB, Jorge LWB. B.Keita for Neres 65'. Schick for Lo Celso 75', 3-4-3. Traore for Jorge 80'

Europa League

Group B

Spain 1 - 0 France
Vazquez(Saul)

Aston Villa 0 - 2 Italy

Cutrone, Locatelli

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