"Principles are more important than shape & structure"
Julian Nagelsmann's detailed explanation on 'principle' based coaching and his own experience
VIDEO ANALYSIS
THREAD
Ralf Rangnick discusses "Gegenpressing" in a fascinating interview from 1998 for German television.
He explained the nature of 'ball-oriented pressing' which later inspired the whole German coaching process.
[THREAD]
HOW THIAGO MOTTA CONSTRUCTS THE GAME FROM THE BACK?
Bologna's head coach, Thiago Motta, divides his game into three phases.
I try to explain the principles involved during the buildup.
VIDEO ANALYSIS
THREAD
Both Roberto De Zerbi and Pep Guardiola, considered believers of the “Positional Play” philosophy, are renowned for their tactical intelligence.
While much has been said about their strategic similarities, I will now explain some differences in their general approach.
[THREAD]
THIAGO MOTTA's translated pro license thesis ("The Value of the Ball - The instruments of exchange in heart of the game")
Thesis about psychological & philosophical work: technical skill in sports and struggles in team integration.
Retweet appreciated!
BAYER LEVERKUSEN BUILDUP SECRETS EXPLAINED
Xabi Alonso continuously wants to own the ball & space but how they do it?
I will explain a secret method which made Leverkusen Bundesliga champions.
VIDEO ANALYSIS
THREAD
Granit Xhaka coaching for his UEFA A License badge - The session focus was to 'built around the defensive block'.
Some key insights:
• double 6 close to defenders
• use back passes to buy time
• pass & move/ open body shape
• more stability in own half
• central movements
NAGELSMANN & RANGNICK - Tactical Philosophy Explained.
In DAZN DECODED show, Nagelsmann and Rangnick spoke about FC Bayern Munich's tactical blueprint and discussed about some interesting concepts related to their philosophies.
[THREAD]
WHAT IS THE PLAYING PHILOSOPHY OF RUBEN AMORIM?
Ruben Amorim is considered one of the best young coaches in Europe.
I try to break down some of his game concepts in & out of possession.
THREAD
Pep Guardiola shares insights into his tactical decisions of centre back in midfield and the importance of adapting to find solutions.
Complete masterclass on tactics, importance of good scouting and defensive strategies. [English Subtitles]
LINK 🔽
"Arsenal Throw-In Analysis"
Nicolas Jover has helped turn Arsenal into a formidable force from set-piece situations
Let's look into some interesting throw-in patterns to break through the opposition's block
VIDEO ANALYSIS
THREAD
Xabi reveals a detail that he thinks people assume about Pep, but it’s not necessarily true:
“Pep tries to attack in a very small area and defend in a fairly large area, they think he only cares about the offensive but it's the opposite, he takes much more attention to defense.
Ilkay Gundogan coaching 'final third' patterns:
• Small combinations on one side to other
• Switch of ball through DM/open body posture when receiving
• Far sided winger stay wide to have space ahead of him
• Opposite winger/AM attack the box
Xabi Alonso explaining the 'free man' in possession:
Example of Florian Wirtz under Xabi's Bayer Leverkusen. Finding pockets of space through variety of movements & game understanding to position between the lines once opposition pushes forward.
Unai Emery EXCLUSIVE masterclass in which he explains his coaching philosophy/methodology.
Also discusses his 12-week training plan along with various tactical strategies and aspects of the game.
• 5 part masterclass series.
[English Subtitles]
LINK🔽
MARCELO BIELSA's 5 WAYS TO LOSE A DEFENDER:
In 2016, at his Aspire Academy conference in Amsterdam, Marcelo Bielsa outlined the five ways he has observed in which a player can lose their individual marker through movement off-the-ball in order to receive.
[THREAD]
Arsenal Pressing Structure:
- man to man in midfield with wingers on opp. full-backs
- wingers to press opp. centre back/block passing angle
- aggressive centre back and full-back to push high/mark their man
- force to one side and block wide channels
Pep Guardiola:
“A back pass does not indicate fear, but the beginning of another, better play, We do not pass to move the ball. We pass to move the opposition.”
ROBERTO DE ZERBI - Buildup Masterclass.
In a recent interview, De Zerbi explained some of his strategies for building up play and how he prefers to start the game from the back using specific principles and traits.
[THREAD]
“The idea is that training is more complicated than the game.”
Thomas Tuchel’s training involves developing sessions that force players to think and find new ways of solving problems; and to develop as many solutions for problems as possible.
Nagelsmann and Rangnick discuss the challenges of playing against teams that often defend deep.
- They stress the importance of having strategies to create chances.
- Also suggest that the asymmetry in their formation make it difficult for opponents to contain them effectively.
"Most coaches like to stretch the opponent’s midfield line, but I prefer to pull the defender apart and create space in the final third."
𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗻
Nagelsmann and Rangnick discuss the challenges of playing against teams that often defend deep.
Both the German & Austrian head coaches discuss about their game model concepts in more detail.
#EURO2024
Complete 'Masterclass' available in link below👇
"What we train most of the time is high pressing and goal-kicks, everything in between allows for a bit more freedom. The first 45-60 meters is quite structured initially. However, once in the opposition half, there is more freedom to exploit space."
𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙀𝙏𝘼 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙎 𝙇𝙊𝙒 𝘽𝙇𝙊𝘾𝙆 𝘿𝙀𝙁𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀 & 𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝙏𝙊 𝙏𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙈?
Mikel Arteta is starting to be considered one of the best coaches in Europe.
I try to break down some of his game & training concepts, especially on an offensive level.
[THREAD]
ARSENAL GAME MODEL EXPLAINED
Mikel Arteta's tactical assistant coach, Miguel Molina, in a webinar discussed the crucial principles of Arsenal's tactical game system.
THREAD
Michael Carrick coaches the importance of diagonal passes and how to use the third/fourth man concept to break opponents lines.
Body orientation and receiving on half turn to open up passing options for progression.
Roberto De Zerbi:
🗣️"How to quickly understand if we are in numerical superiority or we are in numerical equality? You have to look at the rival defensive line."
"I really admire De Zerbi because the way he wanted to play in Italy is opposed to the culture that is there […] And managed to survive by applying it to a team that is not considered elite."
Pep Guardiola on De Zerbi's impact.
WHAT ARE PEP GUARDIOLAS´ THREE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN COACHING?
In an interview, Guardiola explained some of his psychological concepts for coaching his players within a group.
THREAD
Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick provide an extensive breakdown of FC Bayern’s tactical approach:
- Defensive role
- Positional Play for space control and exploitation
- Employing attacking overloads as a strategic element
Full Masterclass 🔽
🗣️ Roberto De Zerbi explains how the pressure of the rival offers you the solution to find the free player. He points out the importance of 'following the press' of the opposition forward and body positioning to exploit the spaces between the lines.
Intresting short corner routine from Brighton against Chelsea’s hybrid structure (mix of zonal and man marking)
Dynamic roles and good execution from Brighton players // Chelsea more ball focused rather than surroundings.
DE ZERBI & GUARDIOLA, both disciples of 'Positional Play', are known for their tactical brilliance.
Despite sharing strategic similarities, I will explain the differences in their approaches which set them apart.
[THREAD]
Pep Guardiola share insights into his tactical decision of 'centre back' in midfield and the importance of adapting to find solutions.
Complete masterclass on tactical strategies with English subtitles available in the link below.👇
“Our identity is intensity. It comes back in every drill”
The story behind how Pep Lijnders helped train Liverpool for the 2018/19 Champions League final.
Thread.
Pep Guardiola explaining the “Inverted Full-Back” concept during his first pre season with Bayern Munich.
Later that season, Pep implemented this concept with Philipp Lahm operating as a interior and forming a double pivot in the middle.
PEP GUARDIOLA praises Spain’s intricate and captivating positional play, while also highlighting the individuality of every coach’s unique ideas.
Complete *30 min* coaching seminar of Pep Guardiola given in the link down below! [English Subtitles]
LINK🔽
Brighton build-up and finishing phase:
- precise passing under pressure
- connection between double pivot
- patient restart/ no force passes
- off-the-ball movements to create superiority
- the concept of pinning and create space for teammates
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen:
- Short passes for connection during build-up
- Numerical advantage in wide zones
- Access the half space through curved run for low crosses
Roberto De Zerbi’s football philosophy priorities individuals to maximise their potential while maintaining focus on collective performance.
📚I wrote about his game model and tactical aspects, detailing on the organisation of high risk approach.
Julian Nagelsmann's FC Bayern:
• Maximum depth & width achieved
• Rational occupation of space
• Dynamic player positioning
• Progression through wide zones
• Numerical advantage in build-up & final third phase
Pep Guardiola: “The Defensive Line”
The position of the ball determines where the defensive line is. The defender who is closest to the ball is the one who sets the line, irrespective of whether it’s the full-back or the centre-half.
"Most coaches like to stretch the opponent’s midfield line, but I prefer to pull the defender apart and create space in the final third."
Julian Nagelsmann
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal - Free Kick Routine:
• using screen to create free men
• no box movement
• opposition eyes on the ball
• fixed positioning far post
Man City’s build up phase against Liverpool:
- Ederson operating as centre back/influential for the progression.
- Dias inviting the first line of pressure from Gakpo.
- The positioning of the double pivot/height of Stones and Rodri.
- Alvarez drop to midfield-> KDB/third man.
Pep explores the importance of body orientation, highlighting the common problem of having restricted field of vision.
He showcases techniques for positioning oneself prior to receiving the ball, enabling a broader view of the field.
Improved decision-making/better perspective.
Tactical limitations of the box midfield and positioning of John Stones:
- How Tuchel countered the box midfield structure
- Transition through the middle
- Manipulation of space
[THREAD]
Pep Guardiola’s tactical structure against Liverpool:
- The unusual 3-2-2-3 shape from the build-up to create space and penetrate Liverpool’s defence.
- City’s use of Gundogan and De Bruyne to open up space in the wide areas for progress.
[THREAD]
Pep Guardiola discusses the most challenging aspect of football coaching and how to manage players who don’t start regular games.
Complete 45 minute interview/webinar with Pep about leadership and team management including ENGLISH subtitles!
LINK 🔽
Arsenal pressing structure/adaptation against Man City:
- flat 4-4-2 low/mid block
- Havertz force GK to one side, wingers narrow
- Rice push high/Odegaard cover shadow pivot
- Partey screen between the lines
Restrict central access and block wide zone.
[THREAD] "𝗝𝘂𝗲𝗴𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗶ó𝗻"
Structured theme predetermined by the position of the ball in specific zones of the field.
⚙️ How various coaches like their team to position on the field?
Bayer Leverkusen fundamental principles of play under Xabi Alonso:
• backward passes to trigger pressure from opposition
• positional rotation to create space
• central progression
• minimum width/ close connections in final third