Match Analysis: Frankfurt’s magical night at the Camp Nou analysed
• defensive shape
• restricting central progression
• transitions
#BARFRA #UEL #Frankfurt #Barcelona #Tactics
[THREAD]
• defensive shape
• restricting central progression
• transitions
#BARFRA #UEL #Frankfurt #Barcelona #Tactics
[THREAD]
About 30.000 Frankfurt fans at the Camp Nou witnessed a historic night. The Germans won against the Spanish giants by 3-2 and progress into the semi-finals. It was an exciting game and a tactical masterclass from Oliver Glasner, which I’m going to analyse in this thread.
To begin with, Frankfurt let Barcelona play, allowing them about 75% possession. The Germans defended in a 5-2-3 compact mid-block against Barcelona’s standard 4-3-3. The main goal of Frankfurt was to restrict central progression and force Barcelona wide.
To better understand, why their shape was so effective, we have to take a look on the tasks of each Frankfurt player.
Borre up front was usually tasked to cut passing lanes into Busquets and could press a centre back at times.
The wingers (Kamada and Lindström) first of all looked to close the half-spaces (both ball-near and ball-far). Only if a fullback had the ball, they moved up to press him.
The central midfielders (Rode and Jakic) usually moved with the block and looked to cut passing lanes into the centre. However, they could at times move up on Busquets or situationally mark the ball-near 8.
The halfbacks usually stepped up on the 8 or moved deeper if for example the 8 was marked by a central midfielder.
Often, the central midfielder marked the 8 if he was deeper and then handed him over to the halfback, if the 8 moved higher.
The wingbacks pressed the wingers and the central defender (Hinteregger) moved up on Aubameyang.
Their 5-2-3 shape could also naturally transition into a 5-4-1, with the wingers deeper. Nevertheless, the mechanisms and player tasks remained the same.
All these mechanisms combined forced Barcelona to play in a U shape and never really access valuable zones.
At times, Frankfurt pressed higher, with the wingbacks on the fullbacks and the wingers on the centre backs, basically man-marking all around.
Barcelona tried to use rotations on the left hand-side, to beat the man-orientations. However, Frankfurt was very flexible and aware of these rotations. They either strictly marked these players or handed over cleanly.
One of the fewest ways to progress for Barcelona have been the wingers (especially Dembele). Barcelona constantly looked to isolate them in a 1v1 situation. Especially in the beginning, Frankfurt struggled to stop the wingers.
However, as the game went on, Frankfurt adapted and were able to stop the wingers by doubling or even tripling the wingers.
Barcelona couldn’t progress through the centre and also not through the wings. The only big chances for the Catalans came after set-pieces or crosses. After the first half, Frankfurt restricted Barcelona to 2 shots and only 1 shot on goal. A remarkable defensive performance!
The Germans were 2-0 in front after the first half, due to their threatening transitions after winning the ball. They constantly made vertical passes forward after winning the ball and the wingbacks were amazing with their advances starting from a deep position.
The second half started very similar to the first one, with Frankfurt continuously defending in their 5-2-3/5-4-1 shape and Barcelona struggling to create chances. The Germans eventually scored the third goal and the game seemed decided.
Nevertheless, after a few substitutions and with the introduction of Luuk De Jong, Barcelona switched to a 3-4-3. Frankfurt kept defending in the same manner as analysed before.
The Catalans more and more crossed inside and hoped for a lucky punch, also with Araujo moving in a striker position at the end. Even though, Barcelona eventually scored two goals, it was too late.
Conclusion:
It was an outstanding performance from Frankfurt, and they deservingly won the game. Their out of possession phase was a prime example on how to defend in a 5-2-3. I hope you enjoyed this thread. Feedback is appreciated!
It was an outstanding performance from Frankfurt, and they deservingly won the game. Their out of possession phase was a prime example on how to defend in a 5-2-3. I hope you enjoyed this thread. Feedback is appreciated!
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