Kapfenberger SV 2023/24: How they’ve used deep starting positions to generate advantages in corner kicks – set-piece analysis

Kapfenberger SV are a team in the second Austrian division, who, in previous seasons, have been dangerously close to relegation consistently. However, an upturn in form since Abdulah Ibrakovics return to the dugout 14 months ago means they are well clear of the threat of going down and instead look to be breaking into the top half of the league for the first time in five years, ahead of the likes of RB Salzburgs youth side, FC Liefering.

From set-pieces, Kapfenberger scored seven out of their 23 league goals so far, making up 30% of the total amount. We will be looking into how set plays have played a part in turning their form around, with a particular focus on their corner kick routines.

In this tactical analysis, we will look into the tactics behind Kapfenbergers offensive set-pieces, with an in-depth analysis of the advantages that stem from using different starting positions of the attacking unit. This set-piece analysis will also highlight how they have been able to sustain pressure from corner kicks in the second phase and the steps to take to increase efficiency in the future.

Deep Starting Positions

The high-value areas that most teams target from corners, leading to the easiest goalscoring opportunities, lie on the six-yard line boundary. Almost any headed effort on target from this short distance will likely hit the back of the net, with the goalkeeper having no time to react to the shot.

A common rule used by the greatest attackers in the sport is to arrive in space, to meet the ball on its path across the goal, rather than waiting in space for the ball to arrive to them. Arriving in space has three main benefits from corner kicks.

Firstly, a late arrival into space means that it is impossible for a man marker to recover the position, except if the attacker initially manages to gain separation from their marker. The penalty area consists of a game of moments. All that is needed to score a goal is one touch in a split-second moment. Players dont need the space to control a ball or wind up a powerful strike. All that is required is a poke or jab at the ball, which can be missed in the blink of an eye.

As a result, players attacking the ball can sprint into the path of the ball without being set, as the overall execution of the shot does not have to be high to be successful. Think of it like getting on a train just as the doors shut, and it sets off from its platform. Once you have made it ahead of your defender, there is nothing the defender can do to disrupt you, and its too late for them to affect the outcome. Many teams use a mix of zonal and man-marking, but you can render the man-marker obsolete with the mastery of arriving in space.

The main theme of almost every Kapfenberger corner kick has been to start in a deep position, creating space between the man-markers and zonal defenders to isolate the two different groups, as shown in the example below. This way, players can clearly focus on first gaining separation from their markers, before attacking the zonal defenders.

The second and third main benefits of arriving in space go hand in hand. Attacking the ball at speed, rather than from a static position, means you gain a higher potential power in your body. The momentum with which a person travels means they can generate more power in both the jump, for the aerial duel, and the header at goal. Arriving in space brings players an advantage in the aerial duel against the static zonal defender, as well as the advantage during their effort on goal over the goalkeeper, who would be facing a shot coming at a higher velocity than if it was performed by a player from a static starting position.

Something that Kapfenberge