Sverre Takleifbotten
Player Valuation: £750k
The match yesterday was typically Everton. When we have something to play for, we break down.
The match itself was a dull performance between two teams that were afraid of losing. It could have really gone both ways.
Ancelotti set up the team as he almost always does - focus on defensive safety and minimal risk. However, there are some dangers in setting up the team this way.
First, one can often become passive in the press play, and lose concentration in terms of distance, time and space. Ateltico Madrid has perfected this and has an absolutely insane ability to absorb pressure.
Secondly, one must exploit the opponent's imbalance. If this is to work. As you defend deep in the field, a lot of sprinting is required. Here you need players with speed and endurance. This has to be balanced with periods in the game where you slow down - but fast counter-attacks are essential if this tactic is to work. If you look at teams that are capable of playing this way, fast counter-attacks are essential to their success. The danger, therefore, is that you do not adapt quickly enough from defense to attack. So that the game is constantly on your halfway.
This leads to the third point. The likelihood of a coincidence deciding the match increases the more the opponent has the ball on your final third. This is a trade-off that must be done and is difficult to guard against.
In yesterday's match we were neither skilled enough in our press play nor to exploit the opponent's imbalance. We could get away with it - since Tottenham didn't really produce any big chances - but a coincidence settled the match
The match itself was a dull performance between two teams that were afraid of losing. It could have really gone both ways.
Ancelotti set up the team as he almost always does - focus on defensive safety and minimal risk. However, there are some dangers in setting up the team this way.
First, one can often become passive in the press play, and lose concentration in terms of distance, time and space. Ateltico Madrid has perfected this and has an absolutely insane ability to absorb pressure.
Secondly, one must exploit the opponent's imbalance. If this is to work. As you defend deep in the field, a lot of sprinting is required. Here you need players with speed and endurance. This has to be balanced with periods in the game where you slow down - but fast counter-attacks are essential if this tactic is to work. If you look at teams that are capable of playing this way, fast counter-attacks are essential to their success. The danger, therefore, is that you do not adapt quickly enough from defense to attack. So that the game is constantly on your halfway.
This leads to the third point. The likelihood of a coincidence deciding the match increases the more the opponent has the ball on your final third. This is a trade-off that must be done and is difficult to guard against.
In yesterday's match we were neither skilled enough in our press play nor to exploit the opponent's imbalance. We could get away with it - since Tottenham didn't really produce any big chances - but a coincidence settled the match
