UEFA Europa League 2021/22: Explaining the roles of Frankfurt’s half-wingers in their Real Betis win – tactical analysis

Apart from the UEFA Champions League big clash between PSG and Real Madrid, in Spain, there was another team hosting a European game. Since Sevilla were also playing West Ham United in the same UEFA Europa League round, the game of Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt was moved a day earlier to facilitate better crowd control.

This was also an interesting game because both teams are doing fine in their leagues. Under Manuel Pellegrini, Betis have grown into a team that could challenge the top four, but the Chilean head coach’s immediate task was to take on Oliver Glasner’s side, a team that was influenced by the Red Bull philosophy. It was a rare opportunity because Pellegrini seldom faced this type of manager from Bundesliga, and in this game the guests were the better side with superior tactics. This tactical analysis will explain the roles of Glasner’s half-wingers/10s in this game, which became the key to securing an important Frankfurt victory away from home.

Lineups

Pellegrini treated this competition very seriously as their best group of players all started, including the lively attackers, Nabil Fekir, Sergio Canales, and Juanmi. In the midfield, William Carvalho paried up with Guido Rodríguez. In the defence, the back four was formed by Aitor Ruibal, Edgar González, Germán Pezzella, and Youssouf Sabaly.

Frankfurt were better in this 3-4-2-1 formation than the 3-4-1-2, because the duo, Daichi Kamada and Jesper Lindstrøm fit in better as the 10s, supporting Rafael Borré. Borussia Dortmund loanee Ansgar Knauff started as the right wing-back. Filip Kostić as the left wing-back. The 6s were Djibril Sow and Kristijan Jakić. The back three included Tuta, Evan N’Dicka, and Martin Hinteregger.