Tonali 'box-crashing', Caicedo's talents & Saka vs Salah: New Season Notebook 23/24
Aug 17, 2023
auto_awesome
Tonali's box-crashing runs, Richarlison's suitability for Postecoglu's Spurs, and Saka's status as the best right-sided forward in world football are discussed. Defenders taking goal kicks and man-to-man trends are also explored.
Newcastle showcased a forward-thinking and attack-minded approach in their convincing victory over Aston Villa, with Sandro Tonali making significant impacts in midfield.
Tottenham's adoption of a 3-5-2 system with roaming James Maddison showcased their promising attacking potential despite missing Harry Kane.
Liverpool and Chelsea exhibited an entertaining, attack-minded style of play, highlighting the importance of multiple creative threats and the shift to a more open and attacking approach in the Premier League.
Deep dives
Newcastle United's impressive win over Aston Villa
Newcastle United secured a convincing 5-1 victory over Aston Villa in their opening Premier League match. Despite their limited number of summer signings, Newcastle showcased a forward-thinking and attack-minded approach. Newcomer Sanro Tarnali made a significant impact, dictating the tempo of the game and scoring a brilliant goal. The midfield control and neat interchange of passes contributed to their success, with Wilson's goal being a prime example. While some may attribute Villa's loss to naive or stubborn tactics, Newcastle's performance demonstrated their potential for success in the league.
Tottenham Hotspur's new system under Patrick Vieira
Tottenham Hotspur's debut under coach Patrick Vieira saw them adopt a 3-5-2 system, with fullbacks Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon tucking inside to create a back three. This allowed James Maddison to roam freely in midfield, finding space to make effective plays. The system proved a solid foundation for Spurs, despite some vulnerabilities to counterattacks. Although missing the absent Harry Kane, the attacking trio of Adebayor, Morris, and Brown caused problems for Luton Town, showcasing the team's promising attacking potential.
Mixed reception to Arsenal's performance against Nottingham Forest
Arsenal's performance against Nottingham Forest received mixed reviews and sparked varied opinions. While some praised their overall performance as one of the greatest, others expressed concerns about certain tactical aspects. Arsenal displayed vulnerability to counterattacks, often due to Thomas Partey's positioning as a right back, which may have left defensive gaps. However, the standout performance of Bukayo Saka and his incredible goal led to discussions about his status as one of the best right-sided forwards in world football. Despite differing opinions, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions from this performance.
Liverpool and Chelsea's Attack-Minded Approach
The podcast discusses the entertaining, attack-minded style of play exhibited by Liverpool and Chelsea in their match. Both teams were open and expansive in their approach, resulting in a frenetic game with numerous possessions and high tempo. Liverpool's tactics, which emphasized an attack-minded midfield three and Trent Alexander-Arnold's creative contributions, contributed to the game's highly entertaining nature. However, it was noted that Liverpool lacked control in midfield, leading to Chelsea dominating the latter part of the game. The podcast also highlights the heavy reliance on individual brilliance and the importance of having multiple creative threats in a team's attack.
Increasing Tactical Variance in the Premier League
The podcast discusses the increasing tactical variance among top teams in the Premier League. It highlights the shift towards a more open and attacking style of play, with teams prioritizing high-tariff transition attacks over defensive solidity. This contrasted with the more cautious and defensively-focused approach seen in previous years. The podcast also touches on the use of man-to-man marking, the influence of Marcelo Bielsa's tactics, and the impact of physical demands on players. The increasing emphasis on entertainment and dynamic play is seen as a response to growing demands from fans and a desire to make the sport more appealing.
Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Duncan Alexander, to reflect on the opening weekend of a new Premier League season...
When did Newcastle's Sandro Tonali start making those runs into the box, is Richarlison the right profile of striker for Postecoglu's Spurs and is Saka the best right-sided forward in world football right now?
Plus, defenders taking goal kicks, man-to-man trends and more as our panel open their tactical notebooks once again.
