Aleksandar Mitrović: A rejuvenated Premier League striker out to prove a point – tactical analysis

Having bounced straight back to the Premier League from the Championship, Fulham faced off against the runners-up of the Premier League and Champions League on matchday one. There is always scepticism about Fulham, who have been in purgatory between the top flights in England. However, could this be the season Fulham finally avoid relegation?

With Marco Silva in charge and a Serbian striker who bagged 43 goals in 44 games in the Championship, the opening game at Craven Cottage was going to be the first test. Aleksandar Mitrović continued his fine form as he ran the Liverpool defence ragged, scoring 2 goals to give his team a well-deserved point to kick off their campaign.

The 2-2 draw said a lot about both teams, but more importantly, displayed the firepower that Mitrović might finally bring after his previous four stints in the Premier League being rather dismal. This tactical analysis in the form of a scout report will break down the movement in and around the box, the build-up play, long ball tactics and the Serbian international’s role in defence, to showcase the full package that Mitrović brings to The Cottagers.

Movement in and around the box

Aleksandar Mitrović is well known for his aerial ability in the box. Because of his strength and height, what he is less acknowledged for is his intelligent movement to open up the opportunities to score in and around the penalty area.

Against Liverpool, he crafted two goals in a completely different fashion. The Serbian’s first goal came in the 31^st minute, as Fulham hit Jurgen Klopp’s side on the break. With Liverpool outnumbering the home side, Reed played Kebano down the right-hand side looking to cross the ball in for their target man.

At this stage of the attack, Mitrović is lurking in between the midfield and defensive line, parallel to the back post. This gives Liverpool a difficult decision to make. With Fulham’s biggest aerial threat completely unmarked and Alexander-Arnold already marking another Fulham player, Mitrović is left free on the fullbacks blind side. Mitrović now has the advantage over Alexander-Arnold, who potentially didn’t respect Mitrović’s ability or wasn’t aware of his presence at the back post.

As the ball was whipped in, Alexander-Arnold and Mitrović meet simultaneously at the back stick but, by now, there was little the fullback could do with the Serbian running onto the ball and towering above Alexander-Arnold to score his first ever goal on the opening game of the season.

This is