Premier League 2019/20: Wolves vs Bournemouth

Football returned in England’s top two flights seven days ago. Behind closed doors of course. How are you finding the artificial crowd noise? Seems a bit mad doesn’t it? On Wednesday 24^th June, the artificial crowd at the Molineux were in full voice and were rewarded with a home win and three points for Wolverhampton Wanderers as they look to continue their charge towards the European places. Nuno Espírito Santo’s Wolves welcomed Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. Both teams first match after the resumption ended as 2-0’s. With Wolves securing the win away at West Ham United, whereas Bournemouth slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

In this tactical analysis, we will delve into the tactics that decided the match and provide an in-depth analysis of how Wolves wore Bournemouth down before seizing control of the match in the second half.

Lineups

In a match that was crucial at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Wolves opted for their usual back 3 with captain Conor Coady flanked by Roman Saïss and Willy Boly, with Portuguese veteran goalkeeper Rui Patíicio in the sticks. Another two Portuguese players occupied the centre of the pitch with Rúben Neves supported by João Moutinho. Usual suspects appeared at wing-back with Irishman Matt Doherty on the right and Jonathan Castro (Jonny) on the left. The front three comprised of Diogo Jota, speed merchant Adama Traoré and the prolific Mexican Raúl Jimenez completing Wolves’ 3-4-3

Bournemouth lined-up on paper in a 5-4-1 that frequently became a 4-5-1 when Bournemouth looked to attack. Aaron Ramsdale lined-up behind a back five of Jack Stacey, Steve Cook, Nathan Aké, Adam Smith and Junior Stanislas doubled up with Smith as almost double left-backs with the task of preventing Traoré having an influence on proceedings. Tricky Welshman David Brooks and Phillip Billing provided the width in midfield and a robust combative midfield of Jefferson Lerma and Lewis Cook sat behind lone striker Callum Wilson. When Bournemouth had possession, they looked to push Stanislas further up and onto the left of midfield with Billing tucking inside to pack out the centre of midfield.

Wolves use of triangles out-wide in order to break lines

Bournemouth had arrived at the Molineux with a plan, they were to sit in a mid-block and look to restrict Wolves to playing on the flanks and across the back. In reply to this Wolves looked to build steadily across the very wide back three and looked to combine in triangles between three of the wing-back, centre-back, centre-midfielder and winger, with the aim of either feeding the ball into the feet of Jiménez or down the wing for Traoré or Jota to run onto.