Mateo Kovacic

[SebastianBlue]

If we start with

Akanji Dias Ake
Rodri Stones
Kovacic

I wouldn’t expect the front four to be doing much chasing back. The back three I’ve chosen based on the CL final.

Pep certainly looks to be trying to create an even more secure—but still fluid—defence so that our forward players can attack with more freedom, likely to help combat some of the tactics we were seeing toward the end of the season, including the man “marking” of Erling.

With the exception of Ruben, every player in that ‘pyramid’ is good-to-great on the ball, with the midfield especially press resistant, which I think is one of Pep’s main focuses.

And Kovacic’s knack for progressive dribbling will be very helpful when trying to unlock low blocks (combined with our forwards’ exceptional movement and interchange).

I think it makes sense as a natural progression. We constantly have to evolve because every team puts the most effort in to developing tactics to disrupt our system (more than any other club right now). We often even have to do it mid season.

 

[Gabriel]

Pep certainly looks to be trying to create an even more secure—but still fluid—defence so that our forward players can attack with more freedom, likely to help combat some of the tactics we were seeing toward the end of the season, including the man “marking” of Erling.

With the exception of Ruben, every player in that ‘pyramid’ is good-to-great on the ball, with the midfield especially press resistant, which I think is one of Pep’s main focuses.

And Kovacic’s knack for progressive dribbling will be very helpful when trying to unlock low blocks (combined with our forwards’ exceptional movement and interchange).

I think it makes sense as a natural progression. We constantly have to evolve because every team puts the most effort in to developing tactics to disrupt our system (more than any other club right now). We often even have to do it mid season.

I also think it will play to the strengths of some of the attacking players (Foden, Haaland, Grealish, Alvarez, McAtee, a.n.other), as we can afford to drop ten yards defensively and draw opponents out, which means those attackers can then use their speed more to penetrate, with Kovacic key to getting the ball to them faster. We will still be able to suffocate when required, but I expect us to go straight for the jugular more. Murderous intent…

 

[FantasyIreland]

I also think it will play to the strengths of some of the attacking players (Foden, Haaland, Grealish, Alvarez, McAtee, a.n.other), as we can afford to drop ten yards defensively and draw opponents out, which means those attackers can then use their speed more to penetrate, with Kovacic key to getting the ball to them faster. We will still be able to suffocate when required, but I expect us to go straight for the jugular more. Murderous intent…

Isn't that the Dipper blueprint?

 

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

Spurs fans said this about Walker.

Funnily enough, at the time we were apparently in for Rose and Walker, a spurs fan told me he thought Rose was the better player…….

 

[Moorland Blue]

I think this set up is also aimed at putting less demands on KDB giving him and/or Phil more scope to room as a '10' with fewer defensive responsibilities.

 

[Gabriel]

Isn't that the Dipper blueprint?

Well they throw their fullbacks forward with gay abandon and gegenpressing is maybe too 100% for us so not quite. I‘m just suggesting being cute enough to draw the opponent out a little bit more, certainly domestically, and then pouncing.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Funnily enough, at the time we were apparently in for Rose and Walker, a spurs fan told me he thought Rose was the better player…….

He never really blossomed,bit of a prick.

 

[blueparrot]

Isn't that the Dipper blueprint?

More Brighton, still play up the pitch through midfield, where liverpool just bypass the midfield.

 

[threadkiller]

Well they throw their fullbacks forward with gay abandon and gegenpressing is maybe too 100% for us so not quite. I‘m just suggesting being cute enough to draw the opponent out a little bit more, certainly domestically, and then pouncing.

Trouble is most teams are now happy to just hold back in their own box, let us have all the possession in the world, and try to block the final product.

 

[Gabriel]

Trouble is most teams are now happy to just hold back in their own box, let us have all the possession in the world, and try to block the final product.

Which is why we shouldn’t always seek to press them so far back that we end up restricting our own space. It has its moments, but if the midfield is younger and faster, it can play more ways. If we drop 5 yards, they’ll come up 5; if we drop 10, they’ll come up 10.