EFL Play-off 2018/2019 Tactical Analysis: Leeds United vs Derby County

With Aston Villa beating West Brom on penalties to confirm their place at Wembley for the play-off final it was down to Leeds and Derby to contest who will play them. It has been a rivalry this season which has been intensified by Spygate, but Marcelo Bielsa has won three out of three against Lampards side this season. At a loud Elland Road, Lampard got his tactics right in the second half and sent his side to Wembley. In this tactical analysis, we will look at how the rams edged closer to the Premier League.

Team News

Bielsa went for a 4-2-3-1 with full-backs Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling being essential to his plan. Leeds had Jamie Shackleton and Kalvin Phillips in the midfield with former Derby loanee Patrick Bamford starting up front. Lampard decided to play in a 4-3-1-2 with the midfield four playing as a diamond. On-loan Liverpool striker Harry Wilson played in the number ten role with Mason Mount playing in midfield. There was also an inclusion of Mason Bennett whos physical presence could challenge the Leeds defence.

Direct Derby

In the first leg, Derby were guilty of playing out from the back. However, in the second leg, Lampard decided to play more direct football in behind the Leeds backline. You can see from the below image that how high the Leeds forward line pressed when Derby had the ball deep in their own half. This led Derby to have little passing options, so they played the ball long.