🔵 Player performance review: an in-depth analysis
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland vs Manchester United
▫️Contribution in build-up phase
▫️Runs analysis : strategy to dismantle United’s defense
▫️Interactions (in and out of possession) with Kevin De Bruyne
🇳🇴 Erling Haaland vs Manchester United
▫️Contribution in build-up phase
▫️Runs analysis : strategy to dismantle United’s defense
▫️Interactions (in and out of possession) with Kevin De Bruyne
Given United’s pressing phase in 4-2-3-1, Gundogan frequently ended alone and potentially getting cover-shadowed easily. That’s why Haaland drop-offs embodied interesting alternatives for City’s central defenders.
Guardiola demands Haaland to drop-off efficiently, when it’s necessary to not being predictable and being under the threat of individual man-marking. It’s also possible thanks to excellent passing skills from both central defenders, to break down a whole pressing structure.
Haaland, even if he does not receive the ball, continues the process of « standing as a reliable short pass option to catalyze City’s build-up. However, when he receives, Haaland automatically tries to orientate wide and reach wingers.
Looking for wide wingers as soon as Haaland gets the ball constrains Man United to stretch the central defensive line implemented by Ten Hag, easing out Haaland’s runs that we will dissect later on.
City’s wingers (Foden and Grealish) use to start their runs from the touchline and suddenly accelerate (same runs as Gabriel Jesus). Considering Haaland as a point guard is another offensive pattern Man City could capitalize on.
Haaland’s role in pressing structure has been the same as the other games, form a first line of pressure alongside De Bruyne, close down passing angles and only press if Varane is in possession.
Haaland runs in penalty box : unpredictable ?
I think the most astonishing aspect concerning Erling’s moves is the fact he knows the perfect timing to suddenly decide between the first of the second post. And when he decided, his pace is hurricane for opponent’s defense.
I think the most astonishing aspect concerning Erling’s moves is the fact he knows the perfect timing to suddenly decide between the first of the second post. And when he decided, his pace is hurricane for opponent’s defense.
We regularly saw, since the beginning of the season, Foden or Grealish cutting inside to organize offensive actions. Against low-blocks, Haaland know Foden abilities to attempt vertical passes and slightly steps aside, start his fast run in behind, even if he doesn’t receive ⚽️.
Moreover, Haaland has a variety of positions to adopt in penalty box. Sometimes, he just manage the distance between his positioning central defenders to receive the cross, without jumping on the first or the second post.
The perfect illustration is on his third goal : after a combination on the left, instead of jumping on the first post, Haaland just simply penetrates penalty box, but suddenly does this little step back to take Gomez’s cross and score. This little move made the whole difference
As United defended with a low-block, Haaland didn’t get enough chances to run in behind in central spaces. However, in second half, given United was forced to apply another strategy, Haaland had more opportunities to do this kind of runs., these are devastating, thanks to
Before penalty box, Haaland runs makes him frequently unpredictable. When he starts his runs, Lisandro tends to think he will jump on the second post, and suddenly it’s up to Varane dealing with Haaland in the first post. Haaland’s intelligence in his runs is a real threat
When wingers were in possession in transition phase, United’s defense simply couldn’t predict where Haaland’s runs will end up. Starting from the left and suddenly going on the second post, and vice versa. Added on high intensity runs and repetitive
Kevin De Bruyne and Haaland have already sound automatisms, given two facts : First of all, Haaland tends to choose second post as a privileged « receive-zone » for crosses (would be interesting to confirm with data). Second, De Bruyne’s presence in the right half-space.
Haaland KDB’s duo is brilliant because each of them perfectly integrated features from each other. Haaland inverted runs cause troubles to central defenses, and the fact he suddenly dives into the second post allows De Bruyne’s to target that zone more frequenlty.
The best quality to Haaland has, in my opinion, no matter if he will receive the ball or not, his discipline is intangible and he continues to run (transitions, runs in behind) at the highest intensity from the first to the 90th min. For KDB, it’s a gift to have this striker.
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