⚪️ Performance Analysis
Why and how Bissouma-Sarr duo could embody the best balance between defense and offense in Ange Postecoglou's system ?
Example vs Manchester United
THREAD 🧵⤵️
Why and how Bissouma-Sarr duo could embody the best balance between defense and offense in Ange Postecoglou's system ?
Example vs Manchester United
THREAD 🧵⤵️
First, it's important to differentiate their roles in first phase of build-up : what Postecoglou tries to do is to give central control to Bissouma, with the help of Porro (inverted FB). Sarr replaces Porro's position to catalyze build-up on this right flank.
Bissouma has those responsibilities in defense that will allow Sarr to attack spaces forward (we will see later on). Bissouma embodies the new metronome of Spurs in build-up, even man-marked.
Bissouma can rely on narrow center backs to do back passes if pressure is too dangerous.
Sarr went on the right flank because of the pass pattern : Goalkeeper -> Bissouma -> back pass to CB -> wide pass to Sarr.
Sarr went on the right flank because of the pass pattern : Goalkeeper -> Bissouma -> back pass to CB -> wide pass to Sarr.
However, this pattern has been quickly spot by United players, and consequently densified the right lane.
Spurs build-up could rely on Bissouma's excellent ball retention to open the space in front of him and carry the ball.
Spurs build-up could rely on Bissouma's excellent ball retention to open the space in front of him and carry the ball.
When this pass pattern works, Kulusevski is found behind the press, with a lot of space in front of him, and unbalance is created on settled attacks, few passes and verticality.
Sarr, after the pass, takes his free role seriously and runs fast near penalty box to bring danger. When a midfielder attacks penalty box so frequenlty, I can guarantee it's because Sarr knows Bissouma will do the job in defense, and he's got the pace to come back quickly.
And we have seen it. In case of United counter attacks, the pace of Sarr to replace Bissouma's position (occupied to do aggressive press) was honestly impressive.
The discipline in repositioning from both Sarr and Bissouma allowed Spurs to have more control, in more defensive transitions situations. United could've had more chances to score if this duo didn't replace so quickly.
In possession, Sarr and Bissouma also give a lot of balance, because they spread calm and know when to just pass the ball around (pic. 1) or change the rhythm and accelerate to exploit spaces (pic.2)
Bissouma only attacked spaces if needed. Otherwise, he stayed in that position, and Sarr navigating in the half spaces, close to Kulusevski.
It's because Sarr and Bissouma understand their roles and positioning that Tottenham seems balanced : Bissouma as holding midfielder, and Sarr moving around, droppin-off, going wide, versatility in his runs
This not depends on the score : it seems to be Postecoglou's way of play
This not depends on the score : it seems to be Postecoglou's way of play
POstecoglou's pressing shape is interesting, not extraordinary but efficient enough. Sarr has a role to play in it while, again, Bissouma stays behind.
Whether it be in build up or in offensive transitions, the most impressive aspect about Sarr is the way he can repeat all those runs from 40 meters to attack spaces, first post or second post. In his runs, there are no slowdowns : it's exponential.
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