Real Madrid Defending with T2A
With the title race in Spain heating up this weeks analysis focuses on Real Madrid recent fixture with Mallorca.
Real Madrid are know for their attacking prowess so I wanted to look in depth at their defensive organization with transition to attack.
Madrid lined up in a 4231 shape which in defensive posture became a 442 with Hazard no 10 joining Karim Benzema up front. This was done as Mallorca would build up with a back 3, the focus now for Madrid was to prevent any balls going into the middle and to show Mallorca out wide where Madrid were numerically superior.
On Mallorca goal kicks Madrid would be very aggressive looking to press very high. They would commit 5 players forward on the edge of the Mallorca box. This was to either force Mallorca long or if they did play out Madrid were determined to win the ball as high up the field as possible.
If kicked long to bypass the press Madrid were confident and aggressive in winning the long ball and second balls. It did not work all the time but it certainly showed they were thee to dominate possession.
In regular play if Mallorca’s back line had the ball Madrid would hold a mid block 1442 shape. When Mallorca passed backwards this was the trigger for Madrid to press as they would look to keep Mallorca facing their own goal whenever possible.
There were times Mallorca advanced into Madrid’s half. With high wing backs for Mallorca Gareth Bale in particular was tasked with tracking the Mallorca LWB. Bale would track all the way pushing the Madrid RB Carvajal inside to now become a third center back. Madrid identified the threat of Mallorca with a pacey left wing back so by Bale tracking and becoming a back 5 it gave the back line extra security. This also added extra muscle to central areas which made it harder for Mallorca to penetrate centrally.
Key features
High press on Goal Kicks
Force long
Trigger to press on backwards passing
1442 out of possession
Force wide
Bale to track back to become back 5 if Mallorca advanced
Aggression in press
In transition Madrid scored their first goal. A questionable tackle in midfield led to a turnover in possession where Modric got on the ball, played a disguised pass to Vinicius Jr who finished superbly from a tight angle.
Key features in transition to attack
Play forward if on and quickly
Get bodies forward to support
Good decision making
End Product
Madrid now sit on top of the table and with only a few games remaining there is all to play for in the race for the title. This race I feel will go right to the wire!