Ange Postecoglou Attacking Tactics At Tottenham Hotspur 2023/2024 – Tactical Analysis

Asked about his utilisation of inverted full-backs following the impressive 2-0 victory against Bournemouth, Ange Postecoglou joked, Theres no secret, Im just copying Pep, mate.

The 57-year-old coach was in fine spirits, having a promising start in the Premier League despite losing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.

In this tactical analysis, we investigate whether Postecoglous words were indeed in jest.

Exploring his playing style, previously distinguished at Celtic, and dissecting the tactics of his Tottenham.

The first Australian manager in Premier League history continued: We do a lot of work on it.

A lot of it is on instincts, but were trying to create a system, wherever Ive been, that is as fluid as it can be.

So lets see which playing style Tottenham Hotspur theoretically tend with him before delving into the tactical dissection.

Ange Postecoglou philosophy

Football is considered a perceptual sport in which 90% of actions impact a players unconscious responses.

Over time, distinct theoretical styles developed, creating a spectrum between rigid system adherence and individual reliance, shaped by differing interpretations of space.

In the positional approach, the most famous system in modern football, popularised by Pep Guardiola and others, the patterns are predetermined in all phases of the play.

The players are less encouraged to problem-solve, and the system helps them succeed in answering questions in every situation, reducing the need for improvisation.

In contrast, the functional approach, recently developed by Benfica, Real Madrid, Napoli, and others, views space as a dynamic and constantly evolving entity.

The core concept of functional play is to create emergent patterns that arise naturally from the individual actions and decisions of players who become more fluid rather than relying on predetermined patterns.

Ajaxs diverse iterations under Erik ten Hag presented a hybrid approach termed Automatism, a style that did not belong to the positional entirely nor to the functional.

Instead of a strict system, it marries strong coaching principles with player fluidity.

Players are trained individually and collectively on problem-solving within the framework, allowing their tactical awareness and chemistry to grow over time, enabling them to approach every situation according to the coachs principles.

Ange Postecoglou occupies a middle ground, neither as fluid as Ten Hag nor as strict as Peps system.

The players are committed to the structure in principle; each has an initial position.

However, they remain dynamic, shifting seamlessly in response to the present circumstances.

Players fluidly transition between zones, maintaining a firm adherence to the general framework with great fluidity; all this happens with very intuitive understanding.

His philosophy encourages players, as he expressed, to exploit space without hesitation, maintaining structure while allowing for spontaneity:

If theres space there, forget that youre a full-back; youre a footballer, get in that space.

Its up to us to ensure were covering the gaps that are left.

I think that once players realise they have the freedom to do that, even though its still very structured, then they dont second-guess themselves.

They know it doesnt matter if theyre a left full-back; if theres space there, they get into it.

Spurs players can adapt their approach within Postecoglous system based on the situation and various factors.

Tottenham now have a solid foundation, but players need time to develop tactical awareness and chemistry.

Next, lets examine how philosophy has influenced the Spurs during various phases.

Spurs fluid attack

Ange Postecoglous attacking style focuses on fluid rigidity to achieve various pitch superiorities (numerical, qualitative, dynamic, and positional).

Rather than just possession, Spurs are attempting to accelerate play at the right moment to strike.

Starting from the back, Postecoglou tries to build with the fewest number of players possible.

His typical base is a 2-3 (without the goalkeeper), wherein full-backs invert alongside the No 6.

This configuration offloads the sides and facilitates exploiting them dynamically to progress through finding the spare man by creating a triangle (3rd man combination) with two centre-backs.

With Van de Vens on-ball impact, the new Italian goalkeeper, Vicario, contributes by calmly playing well under pressure and luring the press forward to the highest point.   

In the graphics provided, Tottenham utilise a 2-3 base to outplay high pressing from both Bournemouth and Manchester United.

Against the five-man press from the latter, Vicario, under Garnachos pressing, plays to Bissouma, who finds the spare man Romero.

He then has the time and space to advance.