Despite rolling out a ballsy 3-4-3 diamond formation without an actual defensive midfielder, Guardiola’s Manchester City creating next to nothing in the Champions League final. Chelsea defended like they always do under Tuchel: well-organized and disciplined, as direct balls into Werner were a good way to create chances on the counterattack. By virtue of a […]
Chelsea approached the match with a positive attitude from the start and dominated Leicester’s 5-4-1 defensive block. Chelsea’s asymmetric 3-4-3 system offered strong movement through midfield and attacking areas, allowing them to create shots with relative ease in the first half. They eventually got their two goals after the break and were able to see […]
Leicester City have won their first FA Cup, thanks to a phenomenal strike from Youri Tielemans. The goal rightly takes the plaudits, but their effective pressing scheme and flexible defensive organization nullified waves of Chelsea attacks, which didn’t come. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The valuation of the FA Cup’s importance has been, […]
Pep Guardiola loves an experiment, but even this was more audacious than normal. Manchester City traded total control to find ideas past Europe’s most challenging defensive block. Chelsea had also rotated but found routes through thanks to effective right-side interchange. A 90th minute winner draws the battle lines. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]
Failing to put the tie to bed in the first leg, Chelsea hoped their visitors would not conjure up their black magic in Europe once more. But while chances aplenty went begging, the home team showed their class once more to deliver another shutout and make a return to the holy grail. Tactical analysis and […]
In a slow and methodical FA Cup semi-final, deep buildups and counterpressing came to the forefront. Though neither team had dominated the shot count, Chelsea were more efficient in bypassing Manchester City’s pressure, to secure another trip to Wembley, thanks to the work of the front two. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. January’s […]
The first encounter between Marcelo Bielsa and Thomas Tuchel did not live up to expectation. Leeds United’s aggressive pressing and Chelsea’s unorthodox shape in the first half, led to limited chances for the visitors; whilst Leeds were incapable of penetrating through an organized opposition defense. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The matchup between […]
Facing off with a direct rival to their top-four aspirations, Chelsea looked to carry on their hot streak in a crucial matchup. But it turned out they had little to fear. Thanks to their usual stable platform and a new role for one of their big summer signings, the home team coasted to another win. […]
Chelsea’s attacking game plan sought to outplay the Liverpool pressure and beat their offside trap to release their forwards behind Liverpool’s defense. This was relatively successful in the first half and they ended up taking the lead via Mason Mount just before half-time. The second half saw Thomas Tuchel’s side conceding more territory and looking […]
Neither team was able to find the cutting edge to score in this match, but that was down to good defensive schemes as much as anything else. United were proactive in preventing Chelsea dominance in the first half, but then fell back in the second half. The home side had the better chances but were […]