How Takayuki Yoshida’s high intensity tactics have taken Vissel Kobe to the top of the J1 League – scout report

As the J1 League approaches the halfway point of its season, Vissel Kobe currently occupy the summit of Japan’s top division. Level on points with Yokohama F Marinos, but having played a game less, Vissel’s rapid rise has been propelled by head coach Takayuki Yoshida.

The Ushi have won 10 out of their 15 league matches so far this season, having finished the 2022 season in 13th position with just a single win more than they have already amassed this season. Incredibly, nine of those 11 wins were overseen by Yoshida who only took over for the second half of the season.

This tactical analysis piece will analyse how Yoshida, appointed head coach of a side with just two wins at this stage last season, has brought Vissel back to winning ways. This tactical analysis will take the form of a scout report and focus on a key element of Vissel’s attacking tactics, creating triangles and overloads in wide areas. This analysis will also dissect one of their recent cunning corner-kick routines.

Vissel Kobe’s set-up and stats

Vissel have consistently used a variation of 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 this season. The only exception to this has been in their previous match, a J-League league cup match against Nagoya Grampus, where Yoshida completely changed his lineup and switched to a 3-5-2.

Several players in central midfield have been utilised this season. The most common combination in recent league matches has been #5 Hotaru Yamaguchi, #22 Daiju Sasaki and #25 Leo Osaki. Yamaguchi has played on the right of the three, with Sasaki on the left. Sasaki plays deeper than Yamaguchi, almost as a second defensive midfielder, with Sasaki almost playing as a number 10 but usually only on the left side of the pitch. Osaki plays the most centrally as a defensive midfielder.