Diogo DALOT and ANTONY vs SPURS- A Thread 🧵
Following the convincing 2-0 win against Spurs, there’s been lots of talk about United’s chance creation and I wanted to take a look into Dalot and Antony in particular in the first half 👇
10th minute
Spurs are set up with their deepest line of 5 and then a line of 3, with the aim here to use the outside midfielder and the wing back to double up on Antony.
Dalot overlaps and engages Perisic, isolating Antony against Bentancur.
Spurs are set up with their deepest line of 5 and then a line of 3, with the aim here to use the outside midfielder and the wing back to double up on Antony.
Dalot overlaps and engages Perisic, isolating Antony against Bentancur.
This allows Antony to get a shot off, eventually hits the post, very nearly scores. Without the overlap from Dalot, this chance never happens.
Especially when facing a 5-3-2 the importance of our fullbacks is paramount to stretch Spurs’ midfield line of 3.
Especially when facing a 5-3-2 the importance of our fullbacks is paramount to stretch Spurs’ midfield line of 3.
24th minute
This time, Antony picks up a position that Dalot usually takes up (as an inverted fullback), whereas Dalot stays wider.
This time, Antony picks up a position that Dalot usually takes up (as an inverted fullback), whereas Dalot stays wider.
Antony holds position, which allows Dalot to take on Perisic, a few lovely stopovers and puts a cross in.
We can see the fluidity of United’s patterns of play here, with Dalot and Antony changing positions and both are equally comfortable in doing so.
We can see the fluidity of United’s patterns of play here, with Dalot and Antony changing positions and both are equally comfortable in doing so.
36th minute
To put this situation in context, Antony is under pressure by Bissouma and uses his close control really well, using his left foot, he drags the ball past the Spurs player and Dier comes across.
To put this situation in context, Antony is under pressure by Bissouma and uses his close control really well, using his left foot, he drags the ball past the Spurs player and Dier comes across.
Antony attracts the pressure from Dier and it leaves Rashford in some space- the attack comes to nothing but the territory we gain here comes from Antony’s excellent close control and trickery.
Three Spurs players are taken out of the game here (Perisic, Bissouma, Dier).
Three Spurs players are taken out of the game here (Perisic, Bissouma, Dier).
37th minute
Antony receives a pass from Diogo Dalot, he’s pressed by Perisic and does well to hold him off.
The Brazilian shows his intelligence here by making sure the ball is a yard or so in front of his foot, which attracts Perisic into a challenge.
Antony receives a pass from Diogo Dalot, he’s pressed by Perisic and does well to hold him off.
The Brazilian shows his intelligence here by making sure the ball is a yard or so in front of his foot, which attracts Perisic into a challenge.
Antony then turns to his right and leaves Perisic (and Højberg) behind.
This is another great example of Antony’s intelligence.
Interestingly enough in the example I gave a couple of slides earlier, Antony went on the outside as well which obviously stretches the pitch.
This is another great example of Antony’s intelligence.
Interestingly enough in the example I gave a couple of slides earlier, Antony went on the outside as well which obviously stretches the pitch.
VS NEW, Antony very often cut inside and with Dalot often operating in inverted spaces, it’s easier for the opponent to close spaces.
I’d like to see Antony go on the outside more often + if he goes on the inside we have to support him with more overlapping runs.
I’d like to see Antony go on the outside more often + if he goes on the inside we have to support him with more overlapping runs.
Thank you for reading this thread, I hope it was informative. Please do LIKE, RETWEET AND FOLLOW @ThreadmanChaza for more threads like these.
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