How Al-Ittihad have massively used set-pieces to their advantage to win the Saudi Pro League – set-piece analysis

Al-Ittihad have just been crowned as the Saudi Professional League champions for the first time since 2009, following Nuno Espirito Santos arrival last July. In a close-fought battle with Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad soared to the top, with set plays playing a large and important role in their success.

16 of their 60 league goals have been scored through set plays, whilst an additional 13 were scored from the penalty spot, and only 31 goals were scored in open play. Al-Ittihad relied on their strong defensive set-up, along with their set-piece routines to climb to the top, with their open-play goal tally being in line with teams around the relegation zone.

Karim Benzemas arrival from Real Madrid, as well as NGolo Kantes rumoured move from Premier League side Chelsea, will surely improve their ability to create and score chances from open play, along with any other possible arrivals that come throughout the summer.

In this??tactical analysis, we will look into the tactics used by Al-Ittihad, with an in-depth analysis of how they have been able to use different routines to create high-quality chances. This set-piece analysis will look at why the different methods were effective and how their use of floated crosses helped to highlight Ahmed Hegazys aerial superiority.

Floated crosses to the back post

One of Al-Ittihads most common methods of chance creation through set plays has been the use of floated crosses towards the back of the six-yard area. A floated cross provides attackers with more time to appropriately position themselves, thus increasing the chance of making the first contact, although the slow pace of the ball reduces the likelihood of the immediate header being strong enough to beat the goalkeeper.

Al-Ittihad have utilised floated crosses to force a chaotic second phase. By delivering the ball outside of the posts where there is an absence of defenders, they massively increase the probability of making the first contact from where they can put the ball into the six-yard box with the hope that the remaining attackers can lose their markers during the second phase while defending players watch the ball and lose track of the attackers positions.

In the image below, we can see the deep cross arriving at the players feet, from where the ball is played across the six-yard box. It is nearly impossible to gamble to block the cross due to the huge number of options a player has when the ball is in the air as they can choose to header it, volley it or bring it down and dribble. As a result, it is easy to put the ball back into the six-yard box, although Al-Ittihads remaining players also were caught ball-watching, meaning they remained static near their markers and failed to create separation in this particular example.

Al-Ittihad have utilised this method frequently, where attackers move away from their markers when the ball is floated in so that by the time the ball is crossed the second time, they have space between themselves and the defender, meaning they can attack the ball with added momentum, leading to an aerial advantage.

Below, we can see another example of Al-Ittihads use of floated crosses. There are three players inside the oppositions six-yard box, who are all unmarked and in dangerous goalscoring positions. The player knocking the ball down fails to spot the open players and perhaps is worried about the goalkeeper intercepting the attempt so he opts for the safer option. Although it may not be the optimal option, the great thing about creating chances through flick-ons or knockdowns is that every player has the chance of losing their marker and being in space. The ball is knocked down towards the edge of the box, where Ahmed Hegazy has dropped off and can control the ball with space around him, before unleashing a shot from within 18 yards of the goal.

Another way in which Al-Ittihad have utilised the floated cros