This weeks analysis comes from a UEFA u21 QUALIFIER between Italy and Iceland.

The focus of attack for Italy was to break down a compact and organised mid-low block of Iceland.

Iceland set up in a 14141 defensive structure with the intent of centrally congesting the field and showing Italy long or into balls out wide.

The game plan did not go quite according to plan for Iceland as Italy had lots of joy MOVING the ball into wide areas and switching play especially through DIAGONAL passes.

By moving the ball around the block Italy looked to get crosses into the box but also find gaps in the block centrally when Iceland tired and didn’t shift together.

Key features:

Diagonal balls: Italy’s center backs were allowed to carry the ball towards the Iceland half as Iceland looked to drop off. The CF of Iceland looked to screen balls into the Italian DM so put no pressure on the Italian CBs. As a result of no pressure they were allowed to hit many diagonal passes which allowed them to switch play and advance the Italian full backs. By the wingers moving inside and on DIFFERENT lanes they narrowed the Iceland BACK LINE which in turn gave more room for the Italian Full backs.

Crossing: In wide areas Italy had at least 3 bodies to attack the cross at all times. Cross selection was key in this game. In the video you see instances of a lot of lofted crosses. There were times where a driven cross was needed so decision making, cross selection and varied runs could have been better from the Italians.

Ball speed when switching: By moving the ball at speed when switching Italy created gaps in the Iceland block as not all players could shift quick enough. This opened up gaps centrally and between the lines but especially in the half space where Italy looked to find runners between Iceland center backs and full backs. The lack of a DM dropping in also for Iceland allowed Italy to find runs in behind. The key thing here is even though attacking wide was the idea by moving the ball at speed through the correct weight, pass selection gaps formed in the Iceland block.

Iceland looked to counter in this game and were dangerous at times on the break. The diagonal balls could have been prevented if the center forward engaged the the Italian center backs earlier.

Also in the half space when Italy broke behind, Iceland needed to have a Defensive Midfielder track the space and runners which would have helped the BACK LINE out and reduced the space for Italy.

A good game to watch when analyzing and working on how to beat a mid low block.