Defence-First Tactics To Avoid Relegation Like Alexander Blessin’s St. Pauli & José Bordalás’s Getafe 2024/2025 – Tactical Theory

Sir Alex Ferguson once said, Attack wins games, defence wins titles.

However, for coaches like Alexander Blessin and José Bordalás, who are not in the ideal position to win titles with their current teams, the legendary quote can be changed to attack wins you games, defence keeps you in the league.

Well, playing defence may be the normal way for a bottom-half team to stay in the league.

That was true of St. Pauli and Getafe, the clubs of Blessin and Bordalás.

But context matters.

Take this simple data, for example, St. Pauli have the second-best goal conceded record in the Bundesliga with 41, behind only Bayern Münich at 32.

Meanwhile, Getafe are third in La Liga for goals conceded with 37, having a better defensive record than Real Madrid at 38 or Barcelona at 39.

They do it not only by playing defensive football but also by being a clever defensive team.

They know they dont have the resources or interest to play an attacking brand of football, so they choose to be a defence-first team.

Interestingly, they also have different approaches to defending.

This tactical analysis will explain how Kiezkicker and Geta Azulones are staving off relegation this season by playing a defensive game.

Alexander Blessin Tactics: Defend Deep & Close Down The Opponents Shooting Area

Before he joined St. Pauli, Alexander Blessin style of play was famous for playing a type of football that involved high-pressing.

He played that kind of football at his previous clubs, Genoa and Royale Union St. Gilloise.

He tried to use the same style for the newly promoted St. Pauli, at least for the first three league games.

During that time, St. Paulis passes allowed per defensive action (PPDA), which measures pressing intensity, was third in the league, but they were the team with the fewest points.

St. Pauli lost their first three games, and this made Blessin change his team‘s approach.

He realised that his players did not fit into the system he had tried to build and that the high pressure was too risky for the team.

During those three games, the opponents transition attack exposed St. Paulis weaknesses.

Their lack of defenders who can keep pace under control and enough time to build the right structure to adapt to that style only made it worse.

So, Blessin changed his approach.

First, he brought back the 3-4-3 formation that the previous coach, Fabian Hürzeler, had used.

Second, he made St. Pauli play more deep defensively.

Blessin changed his mind.

He no longer tried to make his team win the ball as soon and as high as possible.

Instead, he tried to let the other team have the ball as much as possible, but only in the areas where his team usually wins.

Yes, thats the key.

Make the opponent attack in areas they dont know well or in areas that St. Pauli think are less dangerous.

Most of the time, St. Pauli will try to break down their opponents build-up on the wing.

Jackson Irvine and co will do this by forming a narrow first block of five players.

This group of players will block their opponents passing options to the centre area.

By forcing the opposition to the wings, St. Pauli benefited in several ways: The opponents route to the penalty area is longer, it is easier to overload the wide area rather than the centre, and it is also easier to keep the structure compact and organised.

Also, when the centre of the pitch is blocked, the opponent usually looks to pla