Tactical theory: Individual practice drills to replicate goals of the opening Euro 2024 weekend – tactical analysis

An increasing importance in the modern game is being placed on players’ partaking in individual practice. This is not just at youth development levels but with senior pros playing at the very top of the game. Many ex-players have hailed Ronaldo’s arrival at Manchester United in developing a culture of voluntary individual practice after their team sessions. Manchester City’s Phil Foden working on his finishing after an England session, admittedly from several years ago, has been doing the rounds recently on social media. Individual practice, whilst important year-round, can be especially helpful at this time of year when lots of players are in their off-season and not working at their clubs.

This tactical analysis will analyse goals scored in the opening weekend of Euro 2024 and provide examples of how players and coaches can replicate these tactics in one-on-one or small group practices. With a focus on finishing, these exercises will be particularly beneficial for strikers, but players in all outfield positions can benefit from them. This tactical theory will focus on three types of movements in and around the box. The analysis will provide examples of movement to receive in behind, attacking crosses and creating space at the edge of the box to shoot.

Movement to receive in behind

The above example of a striker moving to receive in behind comes from Switzerland’s 3-1 win over Hungary. Switzerland forward Kwadwo Duah opened the scoring with a simple but clever and effective movement that allowed him to receive behind the oppositions backline.

As the ball was played into his midfielder, Duah moved away from the ball to the blind side of his marker. He created an angle between him and the ball by picking up a position between the centre-backs. This will lead to his teammate being able to play a straight through-ball for him to run onto. It also meant he was no longer in the view of the first centre-back and created doubt in the centre-backs minds as to who was responsible for picking the striker up.