The team that flew to Barcelona clearly did not play possession football. They ceded 66% possession to Barcelona. You might imagine that they tried to play possession football, and only after losing out to Barcelona in this regard, switched to a different style. But you would be wrong. Barcelona's opponent played a different style of football right from the opening whistle.
In particular, Barcelona's opponent played counter-attacking style. Whenever they got possession, they moved up the pitch as quickly as possible, attempting to score against fewer defenders. Furthermore, if you use all 11 players in defense, as Barcelona's opponent did, then you can't simply pass the ball up the pitch. Instead, you need players with pace to run it up pitch. That is, players like Walcott, Nasri, Lennon, Bale, etc.
Indeed, the similarities between Spurs and Arsenal were not limited to using the same basic tactic of counter-attacking. Both teams were similarly defensive.
Both teams defended in a 4-4-2 formation, with the two banks of 4 players close together in order to prevent balls in to the strikers. Neither team sat inside, or even just outside, the penalty box. Both teams pushed their back line of 4 defenders high up the pitch.
When in counter-attack, both teams were reluctant to commit more than 4 players in attack. They kept their entire back line of four as well as two holding midfielders in a defensive position, so that they would be ready when possession was again lost. In some cases, a fullback or holding midfielder would make a run, but once he lost the ball, he would track back into defense.
Both teams also pressed well, even in some cases, high up the pitch. However, the latter was not a huge part of either team's game plan.
Spurs fans must certainly be pleased with both results. Arsenal helped prove that Spurs' style works against the best sides in the world. And since Arsenal's coach and players boast of not having sacrificed their philosophy in playing Barcelona, this shows that Spurs too play "pretty football".
It will be more interesting to see how Arsenal fans respond. From what I have read so far, they seem happy to defend counter-attacking football now. Indeed, some are suggesting they deserve credit for inventing this tactic for beating Barcelona. Not only have they not watched Spurs play, they have not watched Internazionale Milan either, apparently.
While tactically arsenal didn't do much different from the other sides, they did change much from what they're used to. They pressed unnaturally high up the pitch and reduced Barcelona to a large amount of "safe" posession. What's even more impressive is their second half response, Barca never looked comfortable in spite of having an additional holding midfielder. All things considered, while the tactics themselves were fairly predictable, the ability to carry them out was what was impressive. Safe to say, arsenal took a different approach than what inter did at the San siro and tottenham's defense would be shredded under the same approach.
ReplyDeleteHi, Tom (or should I say He Who Shall Not Be Named):
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Arsenal changed from their usual tactics. My main point was that the tactics they did use were essentially Spur's tactics.
When you say "they pressed unnaturally high up the pitch", I'm not sure which of a few things you are referring to: (1) pressing immediately after losing possession in Barca's penalty area, (2) having their strikers press the fullbacks, or (3) keeping their back 4 high up the pitch. (2) barely occurred at all, and while (1) did occur, this is standard fare. Most discussions I have heard have been noting (3). But as I tried to show in the images above, this was true of Spurs as well.
I'm not sure it's fair to say that having a high back line produces "safe" possession. It makes it harder to shoot directly at goal, but it makes passes behind the defense easier. Barca's first goal came via this route. They were caught offside 9 times during the match, but they will almost certainly do better at the Nou Camp.
I also agree that Arsenal's ability to carry the tactics out are what mattered. In particular, I think Koscielny had an incredible game. Man of the match, in my view.
Regarding Inter at the San Siro, I'm not sure I agree. Certainly, when Inter played at the Nou Camp they "parked the bus", which is not what Arsenal did. But this was an unusual tactic, used specially for that match. I don't believe they parked the bus at the San Siro. Inter's standard tactic was a similar counter-attacking style.
Regarding Tottenham, I'm not sure either. Spur's defense has been very similar to Arsenal's in the Premier League this season. However, I think Koscielny played at another level yesterday and unless one of the Spurs centerbacks would do the same, they probably would be shredded. On the other hand, since counter-attack is a standard strategy for Spurs , they have more experience trying to carry out this tactic than Arsenal does, which helps them out considerably.
P.S. I was pretty sure no one actually read this blog. Out of curiosity, how did you happen to stumble upon it?