Euro 2020 Qualifiers: England vs Bulgaria – tactical analysis
Matchday five in Euro Qualifying Group A saw England entertain Bulgaria in a one-sided affair at Wembley. The hosts of next year’s final continued to make the most of a kind group draw by taking their goal difference to +12 with another thumping victory. A third successive win for Gareth Southgate’s men sees them take top spot in the group as they cruise towards a comfortable qualification.
In this tactical analysis, we look at how England broke down the resilient Bulgarian tactics in their latest Euro 2020 qualifying fixture.
Lineups
Bulgaria lined up in a rigid 5-4-1 formation, a shape they’ve used 17% of the time in the last calendar year. Krasimir Balakov instructed his side to defend tightly from a low block and look to transition quickly into attack as England encroached high up the field. The defensive shape didn’t save the away side from conceding, however, as England racked up a total xG of 3.36 despite the reduced space. Danger man and captain Ivelin Popov earned his 85th cap for the away side as he started in the centre of midfield. Marcelinho started as the lone striker, who had the difficult job of punishing England’s high line with his speed in behind.
England’s build-up vs the Bulgarian defence
There were no surprises for England when the Bulgarians sat deep into their defensive shape from the outset. The challenge for the Three Lions was always going to be around breaking down the rigid structure.
The home side were afforded plenty of time and space on the ball in their build-up play as Bulgaria opted to defend the space rather than press aggressively. The visitors condensed the vertical spaces between the midfield and the back five to congest the space in the central zones. This sacrificed space in the less dangerous wider areas and protected the core of the defensive unit.
England had to be patient and move the ball quickly in their rotations. They managed a total of 765 short passes in the game, with an average pass streak of nine passes per possession.
The full-backs positioning assisted England’s build-up play using Rashford and Sterling, who played closer to Kane in a more narrow front three. As you can see above the advancing movement from Tripper as England are in possession forces the Bulgarian line to retreat. This defensive movement enlarged the space between the lines, which allowed Rashford to drop into and pick up the ball in plenty of space, as you can see below.
Bulgarian threat
Despite their dominance in the game, England will be wary of the chances they conceded against an average Bulgarian side. The away team achieved an xG of 0.51 despite only having 38% possession and making 292 passes.
This is the case below, as the ball is played through the English midfield and into the space vacated by Rice. The attack ended in a shot at goal, which against better opposition, could have been finished off.
England’s defensive movements were also a concern in these moments as they were not harmonious with the midfield press. As Rice and the England midfielders pressed the ball, England’s back four didn’t move forward to condense the space and squeeze Bulgaria out of possession. Instead, they dropped deeper, moving away from the protection of their midfield, which opened the spaces for Bulgaria in between the lines.
In this instance, a more passive approach using good defensive positioning would have yielded a recovery without conceding a shot on goal. England need to be mindful that gifting space to any opponent is asking for trouble.
Conclusion
Having played five games and only amassed two points, Bulgaria’s campaign is coming to a disappointing end. They won’t enjoy the result but will be pleased with their performance against the toughest team in the group. Every game is a must-win now for the Bulgarians if they want to play any part in the tournament next year.
England fans will be pleased to see their team win in another resounding victory in the group stages. Qualifying though has never been a problem for the English, who often enter tournaments untested at the highest level. Southgate will have seen things he liked and disliked in equal measure, and will be keen to iron out the defensive frailties this analysis has identified. Despite being largely untested, the easier group has allowed Southgate to experiment and bleed new talent into the group. This provides England with tactical solutions for when problems inevitably arise on the big stage.

Artwork by @chapulana
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