PSV Set-Piece Analysis 2024/25: Eredivisie & Champions League Corner Kings Tactics

PSV are currently leading the Eredivisie with 42 points, seven points above the second-placed FC Utrecht.

Offensively, they are so excellent that they are the top scorers with 56 goals, while the second top scorers, Feyenoord, have scored only 35 goals.

One of their strengths is set pieces, especially corners.

They are the top scorers from corners in Eredivisie, scoring seven goals so far, while also the top in the UEFA Champions League, scoring two goals (with many others)

In this tactical analysis, we will demonstrate the tactics Peter Boszs side uses in attacking corners, showing how they can even be better and how opponents can face them.

Targeting Luuk de Jong On The Near Post 

In this case, we will start demonstrating their usual way of targeting the indicated area by out-swinging cross, targeting Luuk de Jong.

In the photo below, Ajax defend with four zonal defenders (green), a short-option defender (out of the shot), a rebound defender standing on the edge of the box (pink) and four man markers.

PSVs general structure consists of six players inside the box, a short-option player, and two players on the edge of the box for the rebound.

The two unmarked attackers (against hybrid defending systems) always stand near the zonal line to perform an important part of the plan, so they go to prevent the first two zone defenders from going to the targeted area.

The first one fakes a decoy run to drag the first zonal defender while the second player blocks the second zonal defender.

The remaining four attackers are runners starting from the edge of the box to make the space between the markers and the zonal line bigger, which makes it easy to reach the targeted area.

The second reason is that it gives Luuk de Jong a chance to run enough, earning momentum before jumping, to achieve a dynamic mismatch over the third zonal defender, who jumps from a steady state.

It is worth noting that this far and left position makes it hard for this zonal defender to keep tracking the ball and this pack of runners coming from his blind side at the same time.

The most important trick is that Luuk de Jong runs around his teammate to take him as a score, which means that this teammate blocks Luuk de Jongs marker when he tries to follow him.

The photo below makes the screen clear, noting that Luuk de Jong comes from the third zonal defenders blind side while having a dynamic mismatch over him.  

The two blue players perform their roles while the remaining two players of the pack (pink) start to go to the far post to frame the goal to be ready in case Luuk de Jong cant shoot it directly; the goalkeeper saves the ball or any other probability.