It'll be interesting to see the Pellegrini 4-4-2 back in action tonight.
Betis mix between defending in the mid/low block and pressing high with one of the double pivot stepping out to press the opposition #6 and the block man-marks everywhere as a result of that.
A thread.
Betis mix between defending in the mid/low block and pressing high with one of the double pivot stepping out to press the opposition #6 and the block man-marks everywhere as a result of that.
A thread.
Ten Hag will create overloads against that shape, but it won't be plain sailing for United tonight because of the fact that Betis are capable of pressing high to a good standard (although not all the time as their mid-block is too passive and disengaged) and are good technically.
William Carvalho and Guido Rodriguez are touch-heavy first and second phase profiles who knit the entire team together in the build-up and in the final third.
Their technical quality and pass volume in tandem with the rest of the side excelling technically makes them a threat.
Their technical quality and pass volume in tandem with the rest of the side excelling technically makes them a threat.
Spanish teams are often like this - relatively basic, albeit decent tactically, but are always competitive because of their ability to take control away from the opposition through being difficult to dispossess. Their biggest problem, though, is their lack of penetrative threats.
Borja is their biggest physical threat in the final third and is unsurprisingly Betis' top scorer as a result of that, but they badly lack any sort of dynamic threat in attack outside of him.
They have lots of technically proficient attackers, but lack physicality.
They have lots of technically proficient attackers, but lack physicality.
This can also be applied to the midfield, so United would be smart to play over Betis' high press when they do successfully create man-to-man situations and battle for duels in midfield.
United will absolutely have the physical edge there against Carvalho and Rodriguez.
United will absolutely have the physical edge there against Carvalho and Rodriguez.
If United win the duel, they have the quality to find a runner like Rashford in transition. If they lose the duel, Betis don't have much of a threat in behind other than Borja, but it's not like he's some sort of lightening quick outlet. He's simply a well-rounded athlete.
Betis will likely take control away from United for periods thanks to their technical quality and high pressing but their lack of penetration in the team will likely cost them over two legs, especially against a team like United who are very threatening in every phase of play.
United will have a clear overload in the last line in settled attacks, will press high themselves, can score in transition off the back of duel wins, can counter even if Betis control possession for long periods.. they're just too threatening against a physically deprived Betis.
It'll be interesting psychologically, though, as to how United react after the 7-0 drubbing on the weekend.
They'll surely start fast and intensely, and that aggressive approach to the game will see them have an extra likelihood of winning duels & using transitions to their adv.
They'll surely start fast and intensely, and that aggressive approach to the game will see them have an extra likelihood of winning duels & using transitions to their adv.
However, if Betis retain possession for large periods and take control away from United, their confidence might wane and things could become a little nervy. Despite that, though, they shouldn't become overly worried.
Betis have the quality to exert control, but so do United.
Betis have the quality to exert control, but so do United.
Betis' press may be good in advanced areas, but the mid-block is largely passive so United will have time on the ball in such situations.
It's not like Real Madrid, Manchester City or Arsenal are coming to town and it's a sure thing that they'll dominate the ball - it's Betis.
It's not like Real Madrid, Manchester City or Arsenal are coming to town and it's a sure thing that they'll dominate the ball - it's Betis.
That isn't meant to be disrespectful in any way of Betis but even if they successfully control possession for periods across the two legs, United will always pose a far bigger threat. Control matters in football, but only if the players are good enough to use it to actually score
United may not exert the optimal amount of control in this tie (although they could depending on game state), but they're sure as hell far more likely to capitalise on each phase of play when they do have the ball.
That's the real difference maker here.
That's the real difference maker here.
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