hjperdeath

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A lot has been made out of Jose removing left-backs and putting on attack minded players. People have said a 3-5-2, or 3-4-3 and even a 3-3-5. To analyse the situation, we look at how it has taken place. Against Everton, Bertrand was taken off and Torres came on in the 69th minute, as Mourinho opted for an all-out attack against a team sturdy in defense. 1-0 down, and Chelsea wanted the 3 points. Against Norwich, Cole was taken off and Hazard came on in the 75th minute, as Mourinho looked to provide width and incisive penetration against a team sturdy and organized in defense. 1-1, and Chelsea wanted the 3 points. Against Cardiff, Bertrand was taken off and Torres came on in the 64th minute, as Mourinho wanted someone who could partner Eto’o and bring the midfielders into play against a team sturdy in defense and threatening on the counter. We shall look into the Cardiff game to come to a conclusion as in how Jose makes this work. Before explaining the above frame, a small tribute to Branislav Ivanovic. His versatility as both a center-back and right-back helps Jose easily take off the left-back and deploy wing-backs who assist the middle three in defense. The above frame depicts a situation right after Torres came on for Bertrand. As it can be seen, two players, namely Willian and Lampard (both encircled in white) are retreating. The downside is, Hazard isn’t retreating as well. Now this is a problem as the entire left-side is wide open and can’t be covered only by Luiz. If Luiz drifts wide, then Kim (player in the center), can directly exploit that hole. As the ball is played into him, we see how Willian comes really close to the player who lobs the ball. As the plan has just taken effect, there is still some grogginess to shake off. Ivanovic didn’t have much reason to come back and press on the player. Luiz meanwhile rushes towards the left side to press on the player who has acres of space to have a shot at goal. Unfortunately for Cardiff, they couldn’t take an important chance. Luckily for us, we narrowly escaped. Hazard finally gets the idea of retreating back, and is helped out by a defensive triangular engine formed by a center-back and the pivot. If the center-back pushes, as seen above, Ramires drops back into defense. If Ramires pushes, Lampard drops deep. Reversible roles in a way. So after explaining that, we can come to a rough conclusion about how defensive transitions work. The defense squeezes in, the wing-backs pull-back and the pivot is joined by the attacking midfielder as they form a trio of defensive cover to the final back line. Meanwhile one of the two strikers retreats back to connect the midfield to the other striker up front. Once the ball is retrieved, the center-backs push away from each other. At this point two holes pop up which must be covered by the central center-back all by himself. To aid the defender, the pivot pushes back to ensure that it isn’t directly exploited. To showcase a scenario, a Cardiff player can retrieve the ball and run towards one of the exploitable zones (his movement shown by the orange arrow) . Luiz will have to cover and runs towards the Cardiff player, exposing the entire central zone of defense (his movement shown by the blue arrow). To cover this up, the pivot pushes back and covers for him, ensuring that no zone is directly exploitable. Here we see Hazard carrying the ball forward. Ramires tries making a run ahead as Lampard drops deep to give Hazard a passing option. The plan revolves around being highly dangerous. It can easily back-fire, but when it works, it’s beyond fascinating. Ramires and Lampard should technically not push ahead too much, as in doing so, they would leave the defensive line poorly exposed if the wing-backs don’t retreat back. 3 stay back, as Lampard and Ramires push forwards. The wing-backs are up as well, while Willian is just a little off the frame. This kind of structure gives Chelsea a good option in retreating and removing a bit off a sting out of quick opposition transitions and counter-attacks. Here we see Willian slightly retreating towards the right-back position as there is an impending danger of Chelsea loosing the ball to Cardiff. Also note how Lampard rushes towards the Cardiff player and Ramires drops deep to put himself in a better position for initiating defensive transitions. Now see how ahead the pivot and the wing-backs are. This could be called the killer frame. It shows that Chelsea aren’t worried about retreating as their focus is 99% only on attack. The rest 1% is on Willian and Hazard’s shoulder as they carefully think out their movement. The Cardiff player gets to the ball played for Torres, but Torres wins a corner. Willian takes it, and Cardiff head it out. Lampard plays the ball in and the ball is kicked out towards Oscar who lays it for Hazard who in turn finds Eto’o who puts Chelsea 2-1 up. The attacking transition is ironically more attack minded than the classic 4-2-3-1. Self explanatory roles, but one must also note that the relationship between the pivot and the attacking midfielders is much higher than it usually is. There is a fine line between conceding a goal and scoring a goal, both of which can be affected by the midfielders. To summarize, Jose’s plan B is a high risk scenario. However if it’s benefits include 3 points than the Portuguese manager can easily combine it with a solid defensive plan. Eto’o scores, and is eventually taken off as Azpilicueta comes on. Chelsea revert back to a 4-2-3-1. Brilliant, innit? 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haha he actually told you that as well? So ironic when you're older than his supposed age. I fear that the world I enter into has people like him. Anyway pre-ordered The Special One: The Dark Side of Jose Mourinho on iBooks. Can't wait to see how crap is made up.

android right? cause on an iPhone you can't copy the link and paste it using the app. Plus it's really slow on chrome. :/

yeah I knew that was coming when I said Willian and Schurrle, but think Willian should after not playing against Schalke.

and thanks to everyone else too. many people seem to be confused about this, but you can also find this piece on three other places. I'll make sure that this is added to future pieces starting from the Manchester City report. My blog for the first link and others for independent sites- http://scoutaficionado.tumblr.com/post/64853191309/torres-epitomizes-mourinhos-european-tactical-master http://chelseafc360.com/2013/10/23/torres-epitomizes-mourinhos-european-tactical-master-piece/ http://www.vavel.com/en/football/premier-league/chelsea-fc/273129-torres-epitomizes-mourinhos-european-tactical-master-piece.html

110% agree with the bolded part. Sadly I realised too late, but no way in hell am I putting him on my blocked list. Could definitely talk about this with my fellow staff and have a laugh. Thanks though man, appreciate it.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. As this is more of personal, than on topic for you, you win father. Mourinho's a clown, Guardiola's the greatest manager on the planet and Roman's going to sack Mourinho.

Happy Birthday Nishyyyyyy.

Schurrle, Bertrand, Eto'o and Willian for me.

Clearly I'm the one with the false information cause I have true facts from researches? You clearly know nothing about Biesla. Neither about Ferguson, and neither about any of the manager's I mentioned. Is there a direct quote for this stylish attacking football? All Mourinho has said that he is here to build a legacy, which I'm sure he will. The passing Chelsea showed in the first few games was nowhere near what we have seen before. You can't judge after we've gone just a few games into the season. Roman doesn't seem to have a problem yet, neither does the board. Surprising that you, the knowledgeable one , should think it would come back to bite. Relevance to the issue. What the actual fuck? That has 0 sense to what you're first post was all about. " Guardiola is better than Mourinho, "Guardiola's tactics are harder to read than Mourinho's " . Pick a topic son. One triangle for a goal and Chelsea used Cruijfiian triangles before Mourinho came? Hopefully the other German's don't see this. I haven't insulted you yet, but you're asking for it. Please don't call me son, I would be highly ashamed if I was yours.

Insert the exact same first sentence you inserted. Sorry but I'm not ready to insult a person again on this thread. It does have everything to do with adopting players to certain tactics. Guardiola needed players who would work as a unit, another basic principle of total football. Something the 3 said players couldn't. It has everything to do with tactics, but yes as you said combined with the fact that they had up and coming players from the La Masia that could be fit in with future in mind. No the reality is he made the players play in his own style, which made Barcelona what it is as he had the perfect players at his disposal. Read the book, and you shall know more - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pep-Guardiola-Another-Winning-Biography/dp/1409129462/ref=pd_sim_b_2 and this as well - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barca-Making-Greatest-Team-World/dp/0956497152/ref=pd_sim_b_8 Isn't that what your debate was about? Why did Ferguson choose or buy players of a particular style? Why couldn't he buy players from the market and adapt to their skill set? Isn't that what your rebuttal was all about again? And a proper analyst would also tell you it's a work in progress. The way Chelsea created triangles in the first few games was never ever ever seen at the Bridge. One step at a time. Rushing things and with every step you take, you take two back. Misusing the resources he has? Those players are given to him. he didn't have the freedom to choose them. Chelsea is a top club, they will have to fit into the side. Ribery and Robben were not meant to play the way like they do under Guardiola. They are much different. The same goes for Lahm, Alaba and Mandzukic. With what you are saying, isn't that misusing of resources as well? Another insult. Running out of fingers here. Also you seem to have dropped the topic of Jose being easily read. Nothing to say about that?

Really? Jose's inability to adopt his tactics to skills of his players, instead of adopting player's skills to his tactics? Do tell me why Guardiola got rid of Ronaldinho , Eto'o and Deco? Simple and easy. They weren't hard working enough and couldn't fit into his system and wanted each and every player to feel equal. One way exit for them. In that sense, atleast Mourinho fights to set the spirit, confidence and ego right of the team. Also do tell this to Sir Alex Ferguson as well. The man who's always preferred wingers so that his players can play the 'United' way. Tell him to buy Sanchez or Pedro and let them play on the wings and wait for his response. Once again another insult . I'm loving this. Ignore, Spike. I haven't had any problem yet, if I do I'll let you guys know like before. Mourinho's tactics are simple to read? Jesus Christ. Sir Bobby Robson might turn in his grave if he read that. Guardiola, Martino or any other El Loco disciple employ a strategy or philosophy that is the most simplest to understand. Never in my case studies did I have to spend a lot of time on any of them than I had to on say Manuel Pellegrini (who also doesn't like to move away from his philosophy, another man who buys players to fit into his tactics rather than change his tactics to their skillset. The sole reason he bought Negredo, Fernandinho and Jovetic) , Jose himself, Brendan Rodgers. Bloody hell even Chris Hughton's tactical set up was tougher to read and understand than Guardiola's was. The truth is Guardiola has a fixed philosophy which he imbibes into his teams. He doesn't change at all, unless you count minute and negligible factors such as injury time substitutions or suspensions or lengthy injury list and so on. I've probably done over 20 analysis's on Jupp's Bayern, which was much much much more versatile and harder to read than Guardiola's present Bayern. I did the scouting report on Bayern before we faced them in the Super Cup by watching just 4 games. Going back to the Mourinho point. Mourinho's core philosophy is counter-attacking, the same way Guardiola's is possession football (with the Cruijjfian triangles and fake wingers) . The difference is Mourinho always always always has Plan B, or Plan C, or Plan D up his sleeve. He takes off left-backs and puts on strikers. He adjusts himself to the situation and always has tactical surprises that people don't understand. Guardiola on the other hand hardly finds it tough to face other teams as his own team is either technically superior or have a much much better philosophy, thanks to Biesla and Rinus Michels himself. Another reason why Barcelona suffered against an updated version of the Catenaccio (CC: Chelsea's bus, both the Milan clubs and PSG) . Not just them , but Biesla , Martino etc, would suffer the same if they had a top team facing a top team.

What a goal. Missed a Champions League night after ages, and it just had to involve this game -

Mourinho is a clown cause he can adjust to situations be it tough or easy, and actually has a much wider view and knowledge on European football? Ignoring another childish insult. So ironic.

Tactics of mine? what? I read the way Mourinho played out his tactics. Helping people understand it if they can't or don't have the time to watch the game. Why are you bringing Guardiola into this? Let me know the reason and I can answer. But I think the question you are asking is would Pep's Bayern use the same strategy or philosophy against Schalke, and the answer is an obvious no. Bayern have a stringent philosophy with a firm foundation that adheres to particular principles. They don't adjust themselves to the opposition they are facing, be it a big team or a small team. There might be just a few deviations here and there, but the core philosophy remains the same. That is mainly down to Guardiola being a faithful Biesla disciple. I have an entire exercise to complete on Principal of Mathematical Induction, I need to study Redox reactions, and then I have a report to finalise for a local club. I'll move your 'homework assignment' to tomorrow, I'm free then.

Do you use chrome ? or do you access instagram from your phone?

brilliant. the Busman species. Great day to you too sir !

Oh damn it, I was on my phone. i think I wrote gys, and it autocorrected to girls. sorry.

Our attacking transitions heavily resemble a 4-3-3 already. Don't think Jose will make the switch on paper though.

I'm not sure whether you're serious or kidding, so I'm not really going to take an effort to answer it.

Haha clearly some of us are still dreaming . Thanks for the career advice once again , thankfully I have more people in my life , but I'll definitely take your advice into consideration.

Thanks uncle , good luck with unemployment !

One can dream .

The ones who actually know football.