Much has been written about Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig side this season, and rightly so.
The 32-year-old’s principles of play and tactical flexibility has been analyzed in plenty of detail, whilst the individual performances of the likes of Timo Werner, Dayot Upamecano, Christopher Nkunku, and Marcel Sabitzer, alike, have been widely heralded.
In an age where tactical flexibility is becoming more important, and particularly with a Head Coach such as Nagelsmann who is so highly regarded in this discipline, having two right wing-backs who are able to give different options within the same formation is a welcome advantage.
This aforementioned aspect gets even more relevance when we consider that this is a position perhaps overlooked in terms of seeking different options, as opposed to a midfielder or forward.
In this tactical analysis of Leipzig’s 3-5-2 formation, I will provide information through a scout report on two players who have been used in the right wing-back position this season – Nordi Mukiele and Tyler Adams.
We discuss the different aspects both of them bring to the right wing-back position by analyzing their individual traits and how they fit in with RB Leipzig’s tactics.
It should be noted that Adams has only made a handful of appearances for Nagelsmann this season and despite promising signs at wing-back, this report is, therefore, giving an analysis based on a small sample of games.
RB Leipzig 2019/2020 Tactics
There are basics of a 3-5-2/3-4-3 which you will see in the majority of back three formations, and Leipzig are no different.
Both Adams and Mukiele carry out very similar roles defensively which I will highlight below.
When defending in deeper areas, both the right and left wing-backs will drop deep themselves when out of possession, and will create a back five.
When defending in higher areas, specifically in regards to RB Leipzig pressing, Nagelsmann uses a few different ideas.
Just a couple of these that we have seen when using the 3-5-2/3-4-3 involve the wing-backs once more.
Below we can see them pressing with little intensity against Bayer Leverkusen, allowing them to have possession, and focusing more on blocking passing lanes.
They dropped into a 5-3-2 with the ball central, but as soon as the ball was worked to one side, the wing-back on that side would push up to create a midfield four, leaving a defensive four behind them – creating a 4-4-2.
Below Mukiele pushes up to join the midfield three whilst Angeliño (out of picture) drops back.
At other times we have seen Leipzig become a 4-3-3 in the press.
With that, Nagelsmann looks to put the opposition defence under more pressure by pressing with a front three, whilst the midfield fills the gaps, again blocking central passing lanes, and forcing the opposition to either play wide or long.
Against Bayern Munich, we saw them initially employ a pressing shape which was not intense, similar to the Leverkusen game.
However, Nagelsmann wanted to ensure his wing-backs stayed deep defensively, with Bayern particularly strong from wide areas, being the most prolific crossing side in Europe’s top five leagues.
Adams had a major job on his hands with the threat of Alphonso Davies.
When Bayern had the ball in RB Leipzig’s half, Adams’ athleticism was key in ensuring a quiet afternoon for Davies with little space behind the wing-back to attack.
To allow the wing-backs to stay in deep, one of Leipzig’s back three was given the freedom to push into midfield to support and ensure they weren’t overloaded centrally, leaving a back four behind him.
Nagelsmann is very fluid in his formations, and when they line-up in a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3, defensively, as we can see from the examples above, they rarely take this formation in any phase without possession.
The wing-backs are able to ensure there are always bodies protecting central areas.
The image below shows them pushing Nkunku forward to press with a front three and Tottenham decide to go long from the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
I have highlighted a triangle of players.
Nagelsmann still presses with a 4-3-3 here, with Sabitzer sitting furthest forward in the triangle, occupying the Tottenham pivot, whilst Angeliño pushes a little higher.
From the Spaniard wing-back’s position, he is able to mark the Tottenham wing-back, Serge Aurier, whilst be close enough to push inside and create a midfield three, should it be required.
At this point, as the earlier example showed with the wing-backs in the 4-4-2, RB Leipzig’s right wing-back, Nordi Mukiele in this case, would drop into the back three and create a back four.
The wing-back position is the most demanding within back three formations, and this is certainly the case with Nagelsmann’s formations at Leipzig.
In defence, we will see similar ideas to the ones highlighted above, regardless of personnel.
However, going forward there are some differences.
With most wing-backs, manager’s will expect them to provide width in possession, helping create angles to play out from the back and help the team move forward.
In attack, the wing-backs are supposed to allow the midfielders/forwards to tuck inside and play in the half-spaces, increasing the likelihood of bypassing the opposition defence either through these gaps or on the wing using the aforementioned wing-backs.
We do see this dynamics with both of Leipzig’s options at right wing-back.
However, there are differences worth noting too.
On the right-side, Leipzig have two incredibly dynamic and athletic players vying for minutes at wing-back.
Mukiele has naturally kept the role for the majority of the season with consistently excellent displays from this flank, showing steel and grit in defence, whilst he is rapid and purposeful in attack.
Adams has seen first-team opportunities difficult to come by but as the season progressed began to find more chances.
However, with Adams’ ability to play as a defensive midfielder, as well as his own individual talents, the American brings a different option to the same position.
Below I will go into detail as to what Nordi Mukiele and Tyler Adams offer for Julian Nagelsamann’s tactics at RB Leipzig.
Nordi Mukiele Scouting Report
Mukiele is an outstanding defender.
The Frenchman reads the game well and has plenty of pace to get himself out of any trouble.
He is combative and just an all-round excellent defender.
Nordi Mukiele has a 77.53% win percentage on defensive duels in the Bundesliga, which is the fourth highest in only behind Upamecano, Karim Rekik and Matija Nastasić.
He can play in central defence as part of a back three, at right-back, or at right wing-back, which is of course where we are focusing.
Naturally in central defence, and even at right-back, you’re likely to see him be more conservative in his attacking intent, however, at wing-back he has the licence to push forward at will, and he does so with great effect.
Mukiele’s heat map shows how the French truly covers the entirety of the right-flank, highlighting what I said earlier regarding the expectations Nagelsmann has of his wing-backs to truly be instrumental in defence and attack.
Nordi Mukiele Heat Map
Mukiele is an attack-minded player who loves to get forward in attack, and will frequently be seen making surging runs from the back five as Leipzig counter and turn defence into attack quickly.
His pace is vital in ensuring any of Leipzig’s quick breaks have more than just one or two options from the forward line.
Despite playing as a wing-back, it is a common sight to see Mukiele form a front three, especially if Leipzig are playing a 3-5-2 formation.
With Timo Werner, the Bundesliga’s second top scorer this season only behind Robert Lewandowski, Leipzig have a forward who is prolific operating from the left flank.
With Werner doing this, leaving either Nkunku or Patrik Schick central based on who is his strike partner that day, Mukiele will push high and create the front three, allowing Werner to push left.
With his high-positioning, Mukiele is very effective at ghosting in behind Leipzig’s front line from wide areas as an outlet for the long ball.
For wing-backs to be seen as the furthest forward player isn’t a common occurrence, however, it’s not surprising to see the Frenchman take these positions, and moving into these areas from a somewhat more unorthodox starting position as it makes it easier for him to evade marking.
Mukiele thrives when given this attacking responsibility.
We can see that he is even dangerous in front of goal when we observe his shot map from this season in the image below, with a good deal of shots, and goals, from well inside the 18-yard-box, giving further evidence of his ability to contribute in the final third.
Nordi Mukiele Shot Map
Tyler Adams Scouting Report
Adams has a slightly more conservative approach to the wing-back role.
However, should Leipzig field the likes of Nkunku, Werner, and even Schick or Dani Olmo in the same line-up, his more reserved approach and ability to drop inside and operate in central-midfield comfortably mean Leipzig’s attacking players can afford to play more freely going forward.
As talented as Mukiele is in attack, his output can’t measure up to the previously mentioned players.
Tyler Adams Heat Map
It’s no surprise to see one of Leipzig’s wing-backs drop into midfield as they press in a 4-3-3, however, less so when in possession.
Nevertheless, Adams’ ability as a midfielder gives Nagelsmann the opportunity to have his right wing-back invert into central-midfield in possession too.
With Klostermann dropping into right-back and Angeliño sitting deeper than his wing-back partner, Adams is able to drift inside and operate in between the lines as a forward passing option.
By doing so, it allows one of Leipzig’s midfielders to push higher.
In the aforementioned Bayern game, playing in a 3-4-3 with Olmo as a false nine, it meant the former Dinamo Zagreb player didn’t have to drop in deep every time, and give them three options further forward should they look to play directly.
Whilst the Adams can also provide a passing option beyond the first line of press and evade close marking due to his original wide positioning.
We saw the American do this frequently in Leipzig’s 0-0 draw with Bayern.
More so than Mukiele, Adams will drift inside to receive the pass.
When playing a 3-4-3, he is an excellent option at wing-back because he can easily help create a midfield three and provide a passing option inside other than the two central-midfielders.
From this more centralized position, Adams will still look to push forward and while in possession with one of the forwards, he will overlap and look to fulfil the wing-back attacking role which Mukiele does so well.
With Olmo playing as a false nine there were times in this game where Leipzig were in a 3-5-2 with Olmo dropping into midfield.
It was interesting to see how Nkunku and Werner would still operate in wider areas, whilst Adams would fill the space voided by Olmo dropping deep.
Again Adams’ ease slotting into central-midfield was seen in Leipzig’s build-up with both himself and Angeliño sitting in the midfield half-spaces whilst Konrad Laimer dropped deeper working as a single pivot.
Therefore in front of him, Angeliño and Adams formed a midfield three with Sabitzer.
This narrow central three kept Tottenham’s defence narrow too, allowing space for Werner on the left-side.
Sabitzer pushed beyond the midfield press and was in between the lines, where he was tracked by Tottenham’s lone defensive midfielder.
Both Angeliño and Adams were in areas where should they receive the ball they had space to drive at Tottenham’s defence, whilst having angles to play forward behind the opposition defence due to their positioning in the half-spaces.
From the wing-back position, Adams is more comfortable driving inside than Mukiele, again most likely due to his ability to play through the middle.
Due to this, the American gives an alternate approach to attacking from wide areas for Leipzig than Mukiele does, and provide different angles for passes into the forward line in the final third.
Adams has played as a wing-back this season whilst Nkunku was dropped out to the same role on the left side.
With Werner favouring the left side too, it meant Leipzig were able to use these two to link up and push forward together in what was a very attacking left flank.
Adams was, therefore, more defensive-minded in this game, giving balance to Leipzig’s back three should Nkunku push forward regularly.
If Mukiele had been available for this game it’s less likely Nagelsmann would have used Nkunku in this position for it may have left Leipzig’s back three exposed due to both players’ desire to push forward.
Mukiele Vs Adams : What Sets Them Apart
There are certainly plenty of parallels between the two wing-backs.
They can both operate as orthodox wing-backs, pushing forward in attack, whilst creating a back five in defence.
Both are lightning quick and despite their forward exploits, it is rare to see them caught out in defensive transition, as some wing-backs can do when part of a back three.
Angeliño is perhaps slightly less expansive than these two individuals and although he will still push forward on the left side, he is comfortable sitting a little deeper.
Should Mukiele or Adams be far upfield, and Leipzig lose possession, the Spaniard is nearly always close enough to his back three to quickly form a back four.
The right side is an important one for Leipzig, with them having more positional attacks from the left side in just six of their 25 league games this season.
Adams has made just four crosses from right wing-back this season, albeit he has completed three.
These suggests that the American should perhaps be doing this more frequently whereas Mukiele has made 33 and has a 36% completion.
But Adams is, nevertheless, not prolific as he only ranks 30th in the league for crosses per game from the right side.
The easiest way to compare the two is from when they both featured in the same position in Leipzig’s 3-0 win over Tottenham due to Mukiele’s removal early in the second half following being hit in the head by the ball and subsequently swallowing his tongue.
By looking at their heatmaps from their clash against the Spurs, we can see that Mukiele stuck to the wing more often than Adams.
The Frenchman also got into high areas to the right side of the 18-yard-box more often, whereas we can see Adams was clearly predominantly positioned deeper than his teammate, as well as being seen more frequently inside despite less playing time than Mukiele.
Nordi Mukiele Heat Map Vs Tottenham
Tyler Adams Heat Map Vs Tottenham
This isn’t to say you won’t see Adams forming part of a front three, nor Mukiele inverting inside to operate in central-midfield.
There are examples of both of these players doing both of these things, however, with their strengths lying in different areas, it is fair to say they are more likely to fulfil the roles as mentioned above.
Conclusion
I appreciate this topic is somewhat specific, and with Adams operating as a defensive midfielder for Leipzig last season, the sample size for his performances at wing-back is still small.
He appears to be slightly more reserved in pushing forward than Mukiele, and although he has won 65% of his defensive duels this season, the American is still a less formidable defender than the Frenchman.
Mukiele is clearly a more well-rounded wing-back at this stage, and with both fit, I don’t believe he needs to worry about losing his starting berth just yet.
However, Adams has shown he has plenty of potential, and is able to offer something different in RB Leipzig’s build-up play from this role, as well as in the opposition half.
