Pressing Concerns: Tactical trends of defensive underperformers in UEFA’s top leagues – tactical analysis

Time to come clean.

When the data analysis on defence of underperformers from Europes big five leagues was posted back in June, we said the tactical analysis article would follow two weeks later.

Your author got caught up in his work and forgot about the Euros and Copa América.

Without further ado, here is the analysis of underperforming defensive teams. Since their styles vary, weve funnelled the approach into more general issues recognized throughout the research games, both over the course of the season and specifically for this article.

There is a surprise progression through the article, one that was initially not considered but certainly recognized as a necessity throughout the research process.

But first up, lets look at how our focus teams hurt themselves by conceding key spaces.

Conceding key spaces

Lets start with pure defensive tactics before progressing the analysis to other phases of play.

This is the first and most obvious area to focus on. While defensive transitions and set pieces certainly factor into the equation, there are some clubs whose out-of-possession structures and pressing intensity ultimately hurt their defensive efforts. Generally speaking, when these teams are picked apart during organized, structured play, the tactical issues are too little pressure on the ball, conceding key spaces and a reactive approach as opposed to funnelling teams into pressing areas and traps.

Where clubs decide to funnel opponents and ramp up their pressing intensity is a very specific tactical conversation. We wont touch on that today, but what we will discuss are the issues that arise from poor defensive structures and a lack of pressure on the ball.

Our first example comes courtesy of West Ham. This image gives a nice overview of a common issue experienced by underperforming defensive sides. As the opponent circulates the ball outside of the defending teams press, the objectives are typically either to play around the press or find spaces to attack through the press.

This is where West Ham was frequently caught out. The space they consistently gave Newcastle was a gap between the midfield and centrebacks. Not only did Newcastle receive between the lines, but they were able to take the ball on the half-turn and face forward.

In this case, it was Alexander Isak who dropped between the lines. As the Newcastle #9 received, the wingers understood their assignments. With the West Ham outside-backs keeping them onside, horizontal runs gave the wide forwards an opportunity to get behind the centrebacks. It was such a simple sequence—a pass between the lines, a through ball behind the backline and then a Newcastle goal.

It was a similar situation for B