How PSV Eindhoven’s variations of screens make them a threat from corners – set-piece analysis

PSV Eindhoven currently sit 4th in the Eredivisie, within six points of first-placed Feyenoord. The departure of key players like Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke to Liverpool and Chelsea respectively may have left PSV with a lower level of quality in their general play, but head coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy has not allowed the standards to drop around the club. Even after losing €80 million worth of talent, PSV remain near the top of the Eredivisie and look to be part of the title race as we approach the final nine matches of the season.

A crucial aspect of their high-scoring campaign has been their ability to continuously create high-quality chances through set pieces. PSV have scored 22 goals in all competitions through set plays, with the tally making up around 25% of their total goals scored throughout the season, including their UEFA Europa League campaign.

In this tactical analysis, we will delve into the tactics used by PSV Eindhoven, with an in-depth analysis of how they have utilised many different variations of screens to create high-quality chances from corners. This set-piece analysis will look at the reasons behind the different routines used depending on the opposition teams defensive set-up.

Variations of Screens

PSV have been able to utilise screens in many different ways, with the primary goal of creating space in a specific zone remaining as the core principle throughout every corner. Different defensive set-ups forfeit space in different zones, with PSVs match preparation allowing them to prepare for and effectively set up to expose any type of defensive shape.

The first way in which this was possible, is through exposing exclusive man-marking setups. When teams set up to man mark, it is easy to manipulate the positions of every defender, and therefore create space by simply moving away from the designated target area.

We can see in the example below, every attacker starts deep in the box, with the intention being to attack the front part of the six-yard box. There is plenty of space to attack and deliver the ball into, as a result of Ado Den Haags man-marking system. With space to attack, life becomes much easier for the attacking team, with the delivery not having to be as accurate and the attacker doesnt need as much separation due to there being no defenders challenging for the ball.

Separation allows attackers to gain momentum when attacking the ball, to put more power on the header, as well as allowing attackers to spring higher when competing for the ball. As there is no defender to compete against, attackers only require the slight separation to arrive at the ball ahead of the defender, with a slight contact on the ball to redirect it usually being adequate to cause the goalkeeper trouble.

The vertical white line below displays the screen being set up, with the defender being smothered by the attacker setting up the screen. We can see the screen is like a wall where the line is displayed, preventing the defender from being able to come back to his own goal. As a result, the PSV attacker is able to arrive in the target area (black) without any competition and is able to redirect a header towards goal from around six yards out.

Pictured below, we can see a similar screen used, but against a different defensive system. While most attackers are man marked, it is not possible to mark every single one, with the defending team prioritising defending the space rather than the players. Unlike in the previous example, the entirety of the six-yard box is protected by the yellow shirts, which results in the PSV attackers being left free.

In this sort of scenario, the target area in black is slightly further away from the goal due to the defensive presence, but the attackers are able to attack the ball unopposed in the trade off between two defensive systems. Without a marker, the attacker is able to attack the ball with speed, meaning they are able to put more power into the headed effort. All thats required for this routine to work, is a simple standing screen on the zonal defenders, to prevent them from being able to step out to clear the incoming deliveries.

The two previous corners d