mister d wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:29 pm
Is there a formation where teams don't play with a true target or center-forward? I feel like Torres-Jesus-Sterling could be absolutely impossible to defend against, but not with Jesus trying to play Aguero's role and not just flipping Jesus and Torres.
Absolutely, happens all the time in formations with what is called a False 9. This is what Pep G and Maurinho created, though they play different styles of it.
The guy in the middle is more working to create triangles in lateral runs as the ball is switched moved/around. He's not the one pressing the backline so much as working to serve the other two forwards. Think about how Messi is often getting the ball played back to him at he top of the 18 in dangerous positions. In olden times (the 90s) they would've just posted him with the center back and had him make diagonal runs all the time.
You can lead a horse to fish, but you can't fish out a horse.
mister d wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:29 pm
Is there a formation where teams don't play with a true target or center-forward? I feel like Torres-Jesus-Sterling could be absolutely impossible to defend against, but not with Jesus trying to play Aguero's role and not just flipping Jesus and Torres.
Absolutely, happens all the time in formations with what is called a False 9. This is what Pep G and Maurinho created, though they play different styles of it.
The guy in the middle is more working to create triangles in lateral runs as the ball is switched moved/around. He's not the one pressing the backline so much as working to serve the other two forwards. Think about how Messi is often getting the ball played back to him at he top of the 18 in dangerous positions. In olden times (the 90s) they would've just posted him with the center back and had him make diagonal runs all the time.
The Soccer 101 podcast is FANTASTIC on stuff like this.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
Chelsea did something similar a few times in recent years (usually due to injuries). They ran a front line of Hazard, Pedro, and Willian - all dudes under 5'9".
And they had the opposite the other day, ending with a frontline of Giroud, Abraham, and Werner - three strikers.
I'm going to read that more, but is it used as a fixed central role? I assume Sterling would stay on his side, but in my (very smart soccer) mind Torres and Jesus would both be circling through the middle and right to find the space that seems to be lacking against the better teams. Jesus just in the middle doesn't seem to work because he doesn't shoot immediately and is a really good tight passer.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
Not fixed central, but the key idea is to force the two central defenders to step forward to mark the false nine. This then creates space for runs from wide in behind. When played most effectively, the false nine will float across both of the two centrals and get them both focused and thinking about stepping forward.
To me this is explicitly why we’ve seen a significant return of the back three. It’s much more secure against just such a strategy. Weaker against a solid front 2 though. Genuinely expect to see a resurgence of 2 central forward players in the coming years.
So ole played Leeds like a drum. Into the final four of league cup. A win at leister puts them two back. If this is bad I’m ok with it? Need silverware and obviously crashing out of champions league sucks but I think Sir Alex spoiled the fuck out of us.
My gall is sufficiently mitigated. Thank you for your concern.
So ole played Leeds like a drum. Into the final four of league cup. A win at leister puts them two back. If this is bad I’m ok with it? Need silverware and obviously crashing out of champions league sucks but I think Sir Alex spoiled the fuck out of us.
Same. Nothing goes from "the sky is falling" to trophies like United fandom.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
Not that they aren't huge money and all that, but since I've been following they've bought almost exclusively under ~24 guys who are about to break out. Something about a 30+ star like Messi just makes the whole Champions League or bust thing feel like a no win.
(Walker and Gundogan were exceptions age-wise but both were brought in to fill specific roles, not to be stars.)
Johnnie wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
Jesus has to finish, for sure, but the announcers saying "if that's Aguero he goes right to goal" ignores that Aguero is far less likely to end up with that ball in the first place.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
P.D.X. wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:15 pm
I bit on the Italian dog. Seems like a good matchup. Not feeling it for ze Germans.
Gladbach are a right mess currently. Manager heading to Dortmund next season, but they can't sack him or they won't get the $$ from Dortmund. My wager on that one is based more on the fact that City are already up 2-0 and don't need a win. It's definitely the longer shot.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
In case anyone is wondering, betting odds hit the scoreboards before goals do. Draw at +4,500 looked really great until I realized Chilwell had just made it 2-0.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.