Feyenoord are the current champions of the Eredivisie and are enjoying a positive start to their season in their efforts to retain the title whilst also hoping to make the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds.
Their set plays this season have been very simple to the eye yet highly refreshing to watch from a tactical point of view.
Many sides attempt to force their way through deep blocks from set plays, where space isnt available, yet the attackers still dart into the crowds, hoping that a slight touch from close range will be enough to result in a goal.
It reeks of desperation, like a pack of starving wolves hunting their prey. However, I believe many teams have lost sight of the advantage set plays provide to the attacking side.
Unlike most sides, Feyenoord take a step back to think about where the spaces to exploit are and prepare the routines from game to game.
In doing so, they are able to gain easy access into the 18-yard box on most occasions, something teams cant do often from open play.
Rather than going for extremely risky routines, Feyenoord have been able to consistently rack up penalty area touches, whether that is a headed effort from inside the six-yard box or if its a shot from just under 18 yards.
Even though the distance may seem far, an unopposed attempt from the edge of the box has to be seen as a high-quality goalscoring chance, better than a 50/50 duel from a nearer position.
In this??tactical analysis, we will look into Arne Slot tactics behind Feyenoordss attacking corner setups, with an in-depth analysis of why their ability to find open space has been highly effective so far.
This set-piece analysis will examine how Feyenoord have been able to exploit different spaces around the box, the reasons for variations against different defensive setups and the potential room for improvement to reach their optimal level.
Attacking the Achilles Heel
As mentioned earlier, Feyenoord thrive in simply attacking the available space rather than making too many movements to drag defenders to score the perfect corner.
Feyenoord take advantage of what they are given, whether in the six-yard box or twenty yards out.
Against heavy man-marking setups, the space is nearer the goal, with fewer zonal defenders present.
No attacker is free in this scenario, but Atletico Madrid risk providing easy access to the six-yard box for the attacking side.
In the example below, Atletico only use two zonal defenders, both within the width of the goal, meaning that the space in the picture is easy for Feyenoord to access.
This sort of space isnt always so easily accessible, but Feyenoord simply identify the open area and deliver the ball into it whilst the attackers attempt to get into the space.
Something admirable about Feyenoord is their players trust in one another to make the vital touch. Often, when a space in the six-yard box opens up, attackers eyes light up, and they all attack the ball, bringing numerous defenders with them in the process.
However, Feyenoord have limited this to only one player attacking the open space, giving him maximal space and time to lose his marker and arrive in the space unmarked.
The attacker highlighted uses his teammate as a blocker, running around him and causing his marker to avoid the block.
This gives the target attacker the separation to arrive in the six-yard box unmarked.
Below, we can see how Feyenoord exploit the space against a different defensive setup.
The man markers remain the same, although deeper, whilst there is also a stronger zonal defensive presence in the six-yard box.
I believe there are two different access poi
