The knockout stage of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is well underway with Germany comfortably beating Nigeria, and Australia marginally losing out on penalties to Norway. Today, hosts France take on Brazil in their quest to win their first ever Women’s World Cup at home. France topped Group A, gaining nine points from the possible nine. Brazil, who are also hungry to get their hands on the trophy for the first time, were the best third-placed team in the group stages, finishing with six points. This tactical analysis will look at how both teams are expected to set up, where they intend to hurt the other, and key matchups during the match.
Expected Lineups
Brazil
Coming into this tournament, Brazil had a set 4-4-2 formation that they tended to stick to for most of their games. Head coach Vadão has mostly stuck to this formation throughout the tournament, playing the very similar 4-4-1-1 against Italy.
Brazil’s 4-4-2 relies on playing out from the back with centre-backs Kathellen Sousa Feitoza and Mônica Alves, attempting to get the ball to one of their fullbacks, either Letícia Santos or Tamires. Once that happens, the fullbacks will attempt a long pass upfield to one of the forward players, Marta or Cristiane Rozeira. These forward players will look to combine with the wide players to create goal scoring opportunities. The two box to box midfielders will look to make late runs in the box while in possession to overload the opposition, numbers-wise. In defence, they’ll drop deep, along with the rest of the team, and defend tightly.
France
Corinne Diacre has mostly stuck to the same formation when it comes to France. Some of France’s key players were rested against Nigeria because they had already guaranteed qualification to the next round, however, these players will likely return to the starting XI and feature against Brazil. Diacre’s 4-2-3-1 sees a back four of Marion Torrent, Griedge Mbock Bathy, Wendie Renard and Amel Majri, a midfield two of Amandine Henry and Élise Bussaglia, and a front four that includes Gaëtane Thiney, Delphine Cascarino, Eugénie Le Sommer, and Valérie Gauvin. This tournament has also seen Diacre use a 4-4-2, with Thiney, who is usually deployed as a central attacking midfielder, playing as a striker who drops a bit deeper.
Both systems have similar attributes, yet it’s clear that the buildup to create chances is different. The 4-2-3-1 relies on France playing on the counter-attack. They press the ball off the opponent, and rely on pacey fullbacks, and inside wingers to create chances for goal scoring opportunities.
