EFL Cup 2020/21: Chelsea vs Barnsley – tactical analysis

Chelsea came into this matchup against Barnsley in the EFL Cup as heavy favourites given that the Blues are fighting for a place in the Champions League whilst Barnsley were fighting to stay in the Championship last season. The stark contrast in quality was on full display as Frank Lampard’s men romped to an easy 6-0 win with club-record signing Kai Havertz scoring a hattrick and Tammy Abraham getting a goal along with three assists. Ross Barkley and substitute Olivier Giroud also got on the scoresheet to hand Gerhard Struber’s team a massive defeat.

This tactical analysis will examine the tactics used by both Chelsea and Barnsley in this EFL Cup match. The analysis will highlight the fortunes of both teams’ pressing as well as how Barnsley could have exploited Chelsea’s double pivot.

Lineups

Chelsea lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation that they often use. Willy Caballero starts in goal with a back four of Emerson, debutant Thiago Silva, Fikayo Tomori and captain César Azpilicueta. Lampard opted for a single pivot of Mateo Kovačić, that became a double pivot in-game, with Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi in front of them as the attacking midfielders. Tammy Abraham started as a lone striker.

Barnsley began in a 3-4-1-2 formation that they have featured quite often this season. Ex-Chelsea keeper Brad Collins started in goal with a back three consisting of Jordan Williams, Aapo Halme and Michael Sollbauer. Kilian Ludewig and Callum Styles were the wing-backs with Marcel Ritzmaier and Alex Mowatt making up the midfield pairing. The front two for Struber’s side consisted of Dominik Frieser and Patrick Schmidt with just behind as the attacking midfielder Cauley Woodrow.