Paul Wilkes (twitter: @laligauk) from the fabulous website laligauk.com and friend of Forza Futbol is back to talk tactics on the Atletico x Valencia game from this past weekend. Enjoy!
A disappointing game that resulted in a 0-0 draw.
* Similar formations
Both sides started the game in fairly similar 4-2-3-1′s, this meant the spare players for both sides were one of the centre backs. With Víctor Ruiz closed down well by Adrián this forced him to play long, Godín and Miranda were both spare on occasions depending on the positioning of Soldado, but neither player used the ball that effectively when bringing it out. It was up-to individuals to get the better of their opposing numbers.
* First half fouls denied the fluidity
With Diego Simeone’s team so far reflecting his own combative style, Atléti have conceded a number of fouls. The players have been instructed to fight for the shirt, exercise passion and make the game harder for their opponents. Equally, Valencia pressing high up the pitch to win the ball back meant they also gave away plenty of free kicks. This, along with some poor build up play, affected the fluidity of the game as both sides struggled to find a rhythm.
* Both teams content not to lose
An away point for Valencia was a good result, especially when keeping their opponents seven points behind. Likewise, Atléti had lost every game this season against the top six sides, a draw was progression and stretched their clean sheet run to five games in the league. Only one shot on target from each team was registered at half time, with the onus being on not making mistakes rather than taking risks. All substitutions were like for like swaps, although some were for players that were a little more direct in style, but both formations remained the same throughout.
* Adrián López – Inside right
Simeone left Adrián out of his first line up for Atlético, but since then he has been ever present. Amongst the things that Gregorio Manzano in his time at the Vicente Calderón failed to do was to find a solution between integrating both Falcao and Adrián into the same team, with Falcao, as he did with Porto preferring to play as a solo forward. Simeone has used the former Deportivo player both in behind Falcao and as effectively an inside right-winger as found here. This enabled a number of things; switching of positions between himself and Diego, pressure on Ruiz when looking to bring the ball out of defence, well positioned to find space behind the attacking Mathieu and in close proximity to join Falcao in attack without restricting his runs. The best two chances for Atlético in the first half came from Adrián headers, as he left the wing position and joined the front line.
* Set pieces
Much was made in the Madrid press on the work that has been done by Simeone this week on free kicks and corners. When games are at a stalemate, precision from set pieces can separate teams and open games up. Both sides failed to do this with the home side having three free kicks in similar areas, but all ending with exactly the same balls in and with exactly the same result. The best move from a set piece in the game was Valencia’s ability to step up and play six Atléti players offside at the same time.
* Falcao versus Rami
Adil Rami enjoys the physical battles with centre-forwards. In pre-season he had an interesting competition with Andy Carroll when Los Che visited Anfield. When anything was played into the air, the Frenchman dealt comfortably with Falcao. On the floor though it’s a different prospect as Falcao’s movement is excellent, this was an area which should have been used more, but there was a general lack of creativity on the pitch.
* Pablo Piatti – Between the lines
The little Argentinean is superb at drifting into the free space left between the defence and midfield. However, this is often when coming inside from the left-wing position. Playing more centrally he seemed to struggle to find the right balance between to far forward and being too deep. At just 22 and in his first season at a club the size of Valencia, there is plenty of time to learn this position if Unai Emery requires him too and become more effective.
* Counter Attacking v Counter Attacking
Possession of the ball was fairly even, with two teams that both prefer to counter attack having to try to be a little more proactive with the ball. Valencia are the better side at doing this, but being the away side and a number of players feeling the affects of the midweek game, they failed to stamp their authority on the match.
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