HOW DID MANCHESTER UNITED BEAT BARCELONA
A detailed deep dive on the tactical changes by Erik ten Hag to win the game for United
A detailed deep dive on the tactical changes by Erik ten Hag to win the game for United
United started the game in a 4231 formation, often playing in a 433 with Sancho & Fred as the 8s. Bruno Fernandes started on the RW, Rashford LW and Weghorst CF
The team lacked width, a direct threat in behind & were dominated in the midfield physically and possession wise
The team lacked width, a direct threat in behind & were dominated in the midfield physically and possession wise
Sancho as the left 8 continuously dropped in to deeper areas to receive the ball. We lacked a creator in the 10 then, someone to link play and provide the crucial passes through to the attacking players
After 10 minutes, our 8s barely got forward, being pinned back by Barca
After 10 minutes, our 8s barely got forward, being pinned back by Barca
We pressed in a 4-1-4-1 structure. This led to Weghorst pressing the CB & GK by himself, making jt easy for Barca to play around him
If Bruno stepped up to help, Barca played the ball to one side, moving the United press across the pitch, freeing Balde for the switch to the left
If Bruno stepped up to help, Barca played the ball to one side, moving the United press across the pitch, freeing Balde for the switch to the left
Very early into the game we did see the advantage of having a wide player on the right
Balde essentially plays as a LW, pushing forward to leave space vacated behind. Bruno was played in by Casemiro, he should of scored. Eriks changes were based on this possession vacuum IMO
Balde essentially plays as a LW, pushing forward to leave space vacated behind. Bruno was played in by Casemiro, he should of scored. Eriks changes were based on this possession vacuum IMO
Ten Hag decided to bring on Antony at half time for Weghorst. Rashford went through the middle, Fernandes to 10, Sancho on the left and Antony on the right
Immediately we had a threat in behind, Hugh volume chance creator centrally plus maximum width to stretch the Barca back 4
Immediately we had a threat in behind, Hugh volume chance creator centrally plus maximum width to stretch the Barca back 4
The change immediately worked. Antony on the far right is keeping Balde wide. Rashford central run pulling the CB across to leave space. Bruno in the LH space allows space for Fred to push forward
Sancho from wide to Bruno, into Fred with an excellent touch & great finish.
Sancho from wide to Bruno, into Fred with an excellent touch & great finish.
Balde at LW, Antony stays really wide pulling the Barca back 3 out of shape. One ball over the top to send Antony 1v1 with Christensen in a foot race, there’s only one winner
Antony gets to the ball first, plays a pass with his right when it should of been his left. Big chance
Antony gets to the ball first, plays a pass with his right when it should of been his left. Big chance
This is such a similar circumstance. In possession Balde moves forward, United break leaving Antony 1v1 with Christensen again. De Jong drops to form a back 4 leaving Fred & Bruno free
United caused havoc in the first 20 mins of the half and it was all down to this change
United caused havoc in the first 20 mins of the half and it was all down to this change
With Antony holding huge width there was times Balde was forced to stay back. This allowed Wan Bissaka to invert centrally
We overloaded the Barca midfield, creating numerical advantages & triangles in the centre of midfield to play through their press but also stop them playing
We overloaded the Barca midfield, creating numerical advantages & triangles in the centre of midfield to play through their press but also stop them playing
Sancho to LW made a huge difference too. The gaps in the Barca back 4 are huge here, it’s due to the width.
Sancho stays wide, offering a support to shaw for the overlap creating a constant 2v1. The ball to Rashford in behind is also now on. So many threats on the transistion
Sancho stays wide, offering a support to shaw for the overlap creating a constant 2v1. The ball to Rashford in behind is also now on. So many threats on the transistion
Barca definitely didn’t provide the same threat in the second half. The second key change was the introduction of Garnacho to the team
He provided pace, a threat in behind and key dribbling which consistently forced their defensive line to retreat & increased Uniteds pressing
He provided pace, a threat in behind and key dribbling which consistently forced their defensive line to retreat & increased Uniteds pressing
United we’re able to sustain pressure because of the number of bodies going forward. Turnovers/pressure were high allowing possession regains in dangerous areas
Dalot on the overlap provided another threat, United became really unpredictable & dangerous. Barca are so deep here
Dalot on the overlap provided another threat, United became really unpredictable & dangerous. Barca are so deep here
All Erik’s tactical changes lead to the goal
Martinez plays a fantastic switch to Shaw. Shaw does brilliantly backheeling to Bruno. The rotation positionally of Bruno/Garnacho is nice
Rashfords box presence drags Balde towards him, Antony maintains width before a superb finish
Martinez plays a fantastic switch to Shaw. Shaw does brilliantly backheeling to Bruno. The rotation positionally of Bruno/Garnacho is nice
Rashfords box presence drags Balde towards him, Antony maintains width before a superb finish
I mentioned how Erik’s changes provided a lot more threat but it also provided better pressing routines
Antonys sub meant the outball to Balde wasn’t on. Bruno pushed up to help Rashford mark the CB pairing. Sanchos width meant the ball to Kounde was more difficult
Antonys sub meant the outball to Balde wasn’t on. Bruno pushed up to help Rashford mark the CB pairing. Sanchos width meant the ball to Kounde was more difficult
Once United went 2-1 up the game state was in our favour. Sit slightly deeper and let Barca dominate so we can counter
The direct threat of Garnacho/Antony was huge. They enabled us to win fouls, stop pressure and get us up the pitch. Barca couldn’t cope
The direct threat of Garnacho/Antony was huge. They enabled us to win fouls, stop pressure and get us up the pitch. Barca couldn’t cope
We could have even went on and won the game by more. The width again was so important, 3v2 here
At this point I was screaming to go to the corner but we went for the throat and were unlucky. The intent was there, so dangerous
At this point I was screaming to go to the corner but we went for the throat and were unlucky. The intent was there, so dangerous
This was a key aspect of the second half. The intensity in the tackling/pressing was immense but it was the team work that I was encouraged by more
Martinez makes the first tackle, does brilliantly. Then Fred comes in backing him up. Casemiro then comes in. Such fight and spirit
Martinez makes the first tackle, does brilliantly. Then Fred comes in backing him up. Casemiro then comes in. Such fight and spirit
Erik was fantastic but the players deserve huge credit. For me, Casemiro and Varane showed their European experience tonight
Both players never shied away from the ball, showed immaculate defensive positioning and made huge contributions defensively in key moments of the game
Both players never shied away from the ball, showed immaculate defensive positioning and made huge contributions defensively in key moments of the game
Two absolutely monstrous moments
Casemiro right before half time shows unbelievable awareness to get back to make a double block. Varane, using his experience to get back on the line to block the ball. Two match winning moments at huge times. So vital
Casemiro right before half time shows unbelievable awareness to get back to make a double block. Varane, using his experience to get back on the line to block the ball. Two match winning moments at huge times. So vital
One final point, the crowd was absolutely immense and again, Erik ten Hag deserves credit for this
He made a rallying call to the fans post Leicester. The fans were fantastic from before the game, in the second half they were superb. Carried the team over the line in the end
He made a rallying call to the fans post Leicester. The fans were fantastic from before the game, in the second half they were superb. Carried the team over the line in the end
Summary
- Erik ten Hag made some slight tactical errors in the first half
- Weghorst at CF didn’t work
- our pressing structure was poor. Weghorst as a single presser didn’t work
- Sancho as an 8 in a 4141 structure out of possession was wrong
- we lacked a lot of width
- Erik ten Hag made some slight tactical errors in the first half
- Weghorst at CF didn’t work
- our pressing structure was poor. Weghorst as a single presser didn’t work
- Sancho as an 8 in a 4141 structure out of possession was wrong
- we lacked a lot of width
- bringing Antony on was an excellent change. He took away the threat of Balde immensely, offering a threat in behind himself
- the width was such a huge part of the win. Spread the Barca back 4 really wide causing gaps for our runners (Rashford, Fred, Bruno)
- Dalot a good sub
- the width was such a huge part of the win. Spread the Barca back 4 really wide causing gaps for our runners (Rashford, Fred, Bruno)
- Dalot a good sub
- Garnacho change was another good one. Really direct
- personally thought Fred may have came off at HT, Erik showed patience with him & was rewarded. Fred was excellent
- the switch in pressing structure was genius
- bringing Bruno centrally created both goals
- personally thought Fred may have came off at HT, Erik showed patience with him & was rewarded. Fred was excellent
- the switch in pressing structure was genius
- bringing Bruno centrally created both goals
END OF THREAD
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the piece as much as I enjoyed making it. Comment your thoughts, like and retweet the piece
Follow for more content, loads to come. Thank you all so much, I appreciate you a lot!
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the piece as much as I enjoyed making it. Comment your thoughts, like and retweet the piece
Follow for more content, loads to come. Thank you all so much, I appreciate you a lot!
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