MANCHESTER UNITED vs. Juventus
--------------------------Neuer-------------------------
Zabaleta-----Martinez----Schar-------Santon
-------------------------Martinez-----------------------
---------------Fabregas-----Gundogan------------
----------Cavani--Lewandowski--M.Gotze------
Subs: Horn, Schar, Suarez, Hughes, Powell, Januzaj, Depay
Tactics -
General - Mex was ravaged by injury, like a hooker with AIDs, so we might be putting out the stronger side which seemed unlikely a week ago. Confidence boost!
Mex comes into the game missing his best players across the midfield, and Messi up top, so we'll look to take advantage of this 'second string side' by playing a passing game. Keeping the ball moving with quick sharp passes in midfield, coupled with two good ball playing FBs offering outlets out wide, and three attackers who will take turns dropping deep to give us extra numbers in midfield to win that battle and push Juve right back.
Defensively it's a case of very high, fast pressing. Keep the pressure on as soon as we lose possession - The energy in the midfield should allow us to instantly stifle any move forward by Juve. This, coupled with the work rate of the forwards (two Dortmund disciples of the Gengen that Ludy loves, and Cavani who is tireless in his chasing) means Juve will not be able to settle. This means Mex's weaker side shouldn't be able to create any fluid attacks and will see most of their opportunities break down due to a rushed pass or being forced to go back to the defence and keeper.
Defence - Neuer needs no instructions on what to do as a keeper, he's too good for my input However, on crosses he should stay back in his net, I'm assuming it'll be Di Natale/Rodrigo to start and neither offer any real height in the area, so the CBs should deal with crosses, Neuer's attempts to claim high balls could cause confusion, and by remaining on his line he can play to his shot stopping ability should the striker get a chance from a cross.
Centre backs, like I said, will challenge for crosses, Schar will mark the striker against long balls like this, his height means he'll dominate whoever Mex puts up there, whilst Inigo will be the one moving towards crosses. Inigo therefore, will wipe up the majority of balls whipped in, whilst Schar offers us protection if the ball is near perfect - Plays into both our defenders strengths.
Due to De Gea's long range passing ability we'll play a relatively deep line to negate any balls over the top. This also has the added benefit of closing up space behind the defence to stop any dangerous through balls. Schar should attack De Gea's long kicks whilst Martinez will look to usher the striker wide if they do latch onto the ball. First option means we clear the danger immediately and can retain possession as soon as they try to go long from the keeper, second option buys us time and forces the striker away from the danger zone.
On the ball they should play it simple, not barnstorming runs forward. Get it straight to the midfield. Martinez should always offer a deep option for the midfield to pass to to retain possession, this gives Schar the job of man marking the striker, which again plays into their strengths - Martinez's Spanish passing ability and Schar's defensive brilliance.
We know Draxler's fit to play, so I expect him to start, can't identify the RW for Juve, but whoever is playing the FBs job is to sit deep, they won't be required going forward. Sit deep and narrow with the CBs, crowding space in the centre of the pitch and forcing the ball to go out wide, and into crosses which, whoever Juve play up top, will play into our hands. When we've got the ball, Zaba and Santon can move up a little, just offering an option for the ball to come back to, again it's about retaining possession here and getting Juve chasing the ball.
Midfield - Martinez to sit back at all times. He's a World Class DM and will act as a fantastic shield for the centre of the pitch. His task his to pick up any of the midfield runners, looking to force them wide, making them pass to the wingers and out into the channels. This will limit Juve to crosses, which, due to their lack of aerial strength up top will cripple their attack.
If both of Mex's midfield runners go at the same time, Gundogan will be the *mobile* CM chasing back, when following them back Gundy needs to get on the inside of the runner without the ball, blocking the pass from the Juve midfield on the ball, whilst Martinez moves out to get that player. This will again force them to push the ball wide into the wingers because they won't have any options up in attacking, central positions. Fabregas follows the deeper lying CM if they do make any moves forward. All three will pressure the opponents as soon as they get the ball to ensure they're close to them to allow our tactics to work.
On the offensive, Martinez should, as I said sit back, always offering that option to recycle the ball if an attack breaks down. Gundogan and Fabregas should look to move up together getting either side of Mex's deep lying pivot that he likes to play in Busquets, this draws the DM over, out of position, opening up space for the other to work in. Both are fantastic creators and need to be looking to get it to the forwards as soon as possible. Once the ball moves to the 3 attackers, they will retain this advanced position to offer a secondary option to the forward to pass to if the attack slows down, from here they can strike for goal, or try and switch play to restart the attack.
Strikers - The Holy Trinity get to play together! A narrow, trident in attack, is how these three will start off. But should a Juve FB charge forward, Gotze and Cavani shouldn't be afraid to drift wide, demand the ball, and drag a CB out into the wing position (putting Lewan and Cavani up against one CB). Should the ball come out wide to one of these two, Lewandowski will run to the front post (I expect the CB that's left in the box will follow him) and Cavani/Gotze will got to the far post (the FB on his side may chase him, but Cavani/Gotze should have the advantage of a) moving first and b) being better in the air than most FBs out there.
Should the Juve FBs stay deep, the trinity will move centrally, working within the width of the penalty area. This will mean two Juve players are completely out the game, sitting deep to mark noone. It also means we should have a numberical advantage up top (3 attackers against 2 CBs) so it's a case of pass, move, through ball. All the intricate play that these three are more than capable of pulling off.
Before the ball has reached the front three, who will tend to be level with each other when they attack, Cavani and Gotze can drop a little deep, adding numbers to our passing game and working in the space between the lines of midfield and defence. All three need to put in a shift closing down the defenders who receive back passes.
Subs -
Losing -
70 - Schar off for Januzaj - Martinez drops to CB, 4-4-2 with Gotze and Januzaj working the wings. Both can cut inside and act as a wide No.10, or burst down the wing and whip in crosses to Lewandowski and Cavani who should form a deadly pairing.
Drawing/Winning -
70 - Januzaj on for Gotze - Same tactics which seem to be working, but fresh legs in attack. Keeps Juve from trying to push up with a high line against tiring strikers.
80 - Hughes on for Cavani - Martinez drops to 5 man defence, 3 man CM with Hughes, Fab and Gundogan all pressing and harrying the Juve attackers. Also leaves no space to work or attack in the middle forcing Juve out wide. Crosses should be even less effective due to Martinez and Schar both being towering beasts of beauty. Januzaj in No.10 role with Lewan looking to isolate FBs to dominate as the ball is pumped long to him to hold up.
SG League Tactics Page
Page 5 of 5
posted on 2/4/14
MANCHESTER UNITED vs. Juventus
--------------------------Neuer-------------------------
Zabaleta-----Martinez----Schar-------Santon
-------------------------Martinez-----------------------
---------------Fabregas-----Gundogan------------
----------Cavani--Lewandowski--M.Gotze------
Subs: Horn, Schar, Suarez, Hughes, Powell, Januzaj, Depay
Tactics -
General - Mex was ravaged by injury, like a hooker with AIDs, so we might be putting out the stronger side which seemed unlikely a week ago. Confidence boost!
Mex comes into the game missing his best players across the midfield, and Messi up top, so we'll look to take advantage of this 'second string side' by playing a passing game. Keeping the ball moving with quick sharp passes in midfield, coupled with two good ball playing FBs offering outlets out wide, and three attackers who will take turns dropping deep to give us extra numbers in midfield to win that battle and push Juve right back.
Defensively it's a case of very high, fast pressing. Keep the pressure on as soon as we lose possession - The energy in the midfield should allow us to instantly stifle any move forward by Juve. This, coupled with the work rate of the forwards (two Dortmund disciples of the Gengen that Ludy loves, and Cavani who is tireless in his chasing) means Juve will not be able to settle. This means Mex's weaker side shouldn't be able to create any fluid attacks and will see most of their opportunities break down due to a rushed pass or being forced to go back to the defence and keeper.
Defence - Neuer needs no instructions on what to do as a keeper, he's too good for my input However, on crosses he should stay back in his net, I'm assuming it'll be Di Natale/Rodrigo to start and neither offer any real height in the area, so the CBs should deal with crosses, Neuer's attempts to claim high balls could cause confusion, and by remaining on his line he can play to his shot stopping ability should the striker get a chance from a cross.
Centre backs, like I said, will challenge for crosses, Schar will mark the striker against long balls like this, his height means he'll dominate whoever Mex puts up there, whilst Inigo will be the one moving towards crosses. Inigo therefore, will wipe up the majority of balls whipped in, whilst Schar offers us protection if the ball is near perfect - Plays into both our defenders strengths.
Due to De Gea's long range passing ability we'll play a relatively deep line to negate any balls over the top. This also has the added benefit of closing up space behind the defence to stop any dangerous through balls. Schar should attack De Gea's long kicks whilst Martinez will look to usher the striker wide if they do latch onto the ball. First option means we clear the danger immediately and can retain possession as soon as they try to go long from the keeper, second option buys us time and forces the striker away from the danger zone.
On the ball they should play it simple, not barnstorming runs forward. Get it straight to the midfield. Martinez should always offer a deep option for the midfield to pass to to retain possession, this gives Schar the job of man marking the striker, which again plays into their strengths - Martinez's Spanish passing ability and Schar's defensive brilliance.
We know Draxler's fit to play, so I expect him to start, can't identify the RW for Juve, but whoever is playing the FBs job is to sit deep, they won't be required going forward. Sit deep and narrow with the CBs, crowding space in the centre of the pitch and forcing the ball to go out wide, and into crosses which, whoever Juve play up top, will play into our hands. When we've got the ball, Zaba and Santon can move up a little, just offering an option for the ball to come back to, again it's about retaining possession here and getting Juve chasing the ball.
Midfield - Martinez to sit back at all times. He's a World Class DM and will act as a fantastic shield for the centre of the pitch. His task his to pick up any of the midfield runners, looking to force them wide, making them pass to the wingers and out into the channels. This will limit Juve to crosses, which, due to their lack of aerial strength up top will cripple their attack.
If both of Mex's midfield runners go at the same time, Gundogan will be the *mobile* CM chasing back, when following them back Gundy needs to get on the inside of the runner without the ball, blocking the pass from the Juve midfield on the ball, whilst Martinez moves out to get that player. This will again force them to push the ball wide into the wingers because they won't have any options up in attacking, central positions. Fabregas follows the deeper lying CM if they do make any moves forward. All three will pressure the opponents as soon as they get the ball to ensure they're close to them to allow our tactics to work.
On the offensive, Martinez should, as I said sit back, always offering that option to recycle the ball if an attack breaks down. Gundogan and Fabregas should look to move up together getting either side of Mex's deep lying pivot that he likes to play in Busquets, this draws the DM over, out of position, opening up space for the other to work in. Both are fantastic creators and need to be looking to get it to the forwards as soon as possible. Once the ball moves to the 3 attackers, they will retain this advanced position to offer a secondary option to the forward to pass to if the attack slows down, from here they can strike for goal, or try and switch play to restart the attack.
Strikers - The Holy Trinity get to play together! A narrow, trident in attack, is how these three will start off. But should a Juve FB charge forward, Gotze and Cavani shouldn't be afraid to drift wide, demand the ball, and drag a CB out into the wing position (putting Lewan and Cavani up against one CB). Should the ball come out wide to one of these two, Lewandowski will run to the front post (I expect the CB that's left in the box will follow him) and Cavani/Gotze will got to the far post (the FB on his side may chase him, but Cavani/Gotze should have the advantage of a) moving first and b) being better in the air than most FBs out there.
Should the Juve FBs stay deep, the trinity will move centrally, working within the width of the penalty area. This will mean two Juve players are completely out the game, sitting deep to mark noone. It also means we should have a numberical advantage up top (3 attackers against 2 CBs) so it's a case of pass, move, through ball. All the intricate play that these three are more than capable of pulling off.
Before the ball has reached the front three, who will tend to be level with each other when they attack, Cavani and Gotze can drop a little deep, adding numbers to our passing game and working in the space between the lines of midfield and defence. All three need to put in a shift closing down the defenders who receive back passes.
Subs -
Losing -
70 - Schar off for Januzaj - Martinez drops to CB, 4-4-2 with Gotze and Januzaj working the wings. Both can cut inside and act as a wide No.10, or burst down the wing and whip in crosses to Lewandowski and Cavani who should form a deadly pairing.
Drawing/Winning -
70 - Januzaj on for Gotze - Same tactics which seem to be working, but fresh legs in attack. Keeps Juve from trying to push up with a high line against tiring strikers.
80 - Hughes on for Cavani - Martinez drops to 5 man defence, 3 man CM with Hughes, Fab and Gundogan all pressing and harrying the Juve attackers. Also leaves no space to work or attack in the middle forcing Juve out wide. Crosses should be even less effective due to Martinez and Schar both being towering beasts of beauty. Januzaj in No.10 role with Lewan looking to isolate FBs to dominate as the ball is pumped long to him to hold up.
Page 5 of 5