Sport-Specific Analysis of the EURO 2008 AEFCA Symposium 2008... · Analysis Area 1: Systems of Play/Positions Summary Not systems of play, but individual quality is the most important

1AEFCA-Symposium 2008

Sport-Specific Analysis

of the EURO 2008


EURO 2008-Analysis

Overview

Purpose / Design of the Analysis

Bernd Stöber1 Analysis 1: Systems of Play / Positions

Bernd Stöber2 Analysis 2: Defensive Play

Frank Wormuth3 Analysis 3: Attacking Play

Erich Rutemöller4 Conclusions and Implications

Bernd Stöber5


EURO 2008-Analysis

Overview






Bernd Stöber5


Purpose of the Analysis

Purpose of

trend-analyses

Purpose of analyzing

an opponent


Focal Points of the Analysis

This analysis focuses on…

… elements within the game of Europe’s topnations.


EURO 2008-Analysis as a Tool to Evaluate the

Playing Philosophy of the DFB

CLUB FOOTBALL

DFB-Playing Philosophy

NATIONALTEAMS

TALENTDEVELOPMENT

COACHINGEDUCATION

InternationalTrends

Strenghts ofGerman Football


Design of the EURO 2008-Analysis

Technical Report

Group „Switzerland“F. Wormuth, E.Rutemöller,

F. Engel, P. Schomann,

H. Herrlich

Standardized Analyses

32 Games

Group „Austria“D. Eilts, M. Pezzaiuoli,

J. Daniel, St. Böger,

B. Stöber


Process of EURO 2008-Analysis

Standardized analysis-

schemes for all analysts!


Standardized Aspects to Focus on

Focus: Formations and utilization of spaces



Focus: Attacking play – build-up



Focus: Attacking play – creating goal-scoring opportunities



Focus: Defensive play

– basic formation / behavior upon losing possession



Other evaluation criteria:

Technique, tactics, fitness, personality, and restarts


EURO 2008-Analysis

Overview






Bernd Stöber5


Analysis Area 1: Systems of Play/Positions

Exemplary formations in the EURO 2008

4:2:3:1-

System




4:2:3:1-

SystemHolland




4:2:3:1-

SystemGermany

(from quarter-

finals on)




4:4:2-System




4:4:2-

SystemSpain




4:4:2-

SystemGermany

(group stage)




4:1:4:1-

System




4:1:4:1

(4:1:3:2)-

SystemRussia




Variation with

a single

defensive

midfielder:

4:1:2:3Portugal



Summary

Observation 1: Teams clearly preferred

formations with four backs!



Summary

Observation 2: Formations with two defensive

midfielders (“No. 6”) are widely established!

Example: Croatia Example: Spain



Profiles of defensive midfield pairs

Primary qualities in defense(securing the center)

Examples in EURO 2008:

Senna (Spain)

Frings (Germany)

Kovac (Croatia)

Primary qualities in attack

(connecting defense and attack)

Examples in EURO 2008:

Xavi (Spain)

Ballack (Germany)

Modric (Croatia)



Summary

Observation 3: Creating momentum through wing

play with pairs on each side

Example: Netherlands Example: Spain


Analysis Area 1: Systems of Play/PositionsVarious types of attacking-minded players on the wings

Forward-type

Players like

Podolski (Germany)

Ronaldo (Portugal)

Sneijder (Holland)

Assist-oriented/creative type

Players like

Iniesta (Spain)

Rakitic (Croatia)

Specialists

Players like

Robben (Holland)

van Persie (Holland)



Summary

Observation 4: Flexible duos in central attacking

areas

Example: Spain Example: Russia



Overview of profiles

Attacking duos in EURO 2008:

Torres – Villa

(Spain)

Olic – Petric

(Croatia)

Van Nistelrooy – Van der Vaart

(Holland)

Pawljutschenko – Arshawin

(Russia)

Klose – Ballack

(Germany)



Summary

Overall, the participating teams favored similar

constellations in their formations.

However, despite all similarities, they interpreted

their systems of play very specifically!



Summary

Not systems of play, but individual quality is

the most important determinant of success

in international football at the highest level!

Technical

perfection

Tactical

flexibility

Quick

actions

Winning

mentality


EURO 2008-Analysis

Overview






Bernd Stöber5


Analysis Area 2: Defensive Play

Observation 1: Ball-oriented play has become

standard!



Two examples of „double-teaming“



Example for ball-oriented defense



Observation 2: Ensuring safety through falling

back and playing low pressure!



Four examples of „low pressure“



Observation 3: Hardly any team-based midfield

pressure/high pressure over extended periods of time!



Four examples of pressure



Observation 4: The center of defense

remains closed down!

Center backs

stay central!

Example: Italy / Panucci + Chillinie

Method 1:





Example: Czech Republic / Galasek

One purely

defensive midfielder

(No. 6-position)!

Method 2:



Examples for methods 1 (CB) and 2 (No. 6)



Example for method 2 (“No. 6”)





Example: Germany / Frings + Ballack

Example: Holland / DeJong + Engelaar

Two defensive

midfielders in the

center with

different roles!

Method 3:



Observation 7: Nothing new in terms of

restarts!


Analysis Area 2: Defensive PlayThesis

The EURO 2008 has been described

as the fairest of its kind in history!

Is it only a result of attacking play or

possibly also due to the DEFENSIVE

STRATEGIES applied?

WHY is that?


EURO 2008-Analysis

Overview





Erich Rutemöller4Conclusions and Implications

Bernd Stöber5


Analysis Area 3: Attacking Play

Structure of Attack

Quick transition1st Phase

Attacking Situations

Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent

2nd PhaseCreating scoring

opportunities2nd Ball

Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Quick transition

1st Group: Securing possession

as a general principle – only few

quick counterattacks

Different strategies upon

gaining possession:

2nd Group: Willing to take great

risk when attacking the goal

directly

3rd Group: Great variability,

depending on the situation


Analysis Area 3: Attacking PlayInitiating the attack against an unorganized opponent



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Controlled build-up

Characteristic: Safe build-up based on

horizontal position play

Example: Spain



Controlled build-up

Characteristic: Variability in controlled

build-up

Preparation of a

penetrating pass by

means of a safe

horizontal position play

Example: Holland

Sudden change of pace

Creative qualities of

players in No. 6 positions

Variable change of

positions in midfield


Analysis Area 3: Attacking PlayInitiating the attack against an organized opponent



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Quick counter-attacks

While the ball is in play (from

various zones)

After restarts

After quick delivery by the

goalkeeper

Typical situations for

counter-attacks:

Characteristic: Significant number of goals

as a result of counter-attacks

(UEFA-Statistics: 35% of all goals of EURO 2008)



Counter-attack goals



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Structure of Attack

Characteristic: 2nd

ball as one attacking

strategy:

Example: Czech Republic

Yet, none of the top

teams used the 2nd ball

as a primary attacking

strategy!



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Wing play

rarely: traditional wing-play

with crosses from the baseline

frequently: low passes into

defenders’ backs from

positions between touchline

and extended sideline of the

penalty box

frequently: combination play

on the wing (more frequently

than individual actions)

frequently: driven diagonal

balls to the wings to quickly

change the point of attack



Wing play



Wing play after changing the point of attack



Structure of Attack



Counter-attack with

finish

Controlled build-up

Organized

opponent



Wing Center

Unorganized

opponent



Attacking through the center

More frequently: goals

from combination play, e.g.

using the third man

Less frequently: dribblings to

beat opponents and create

finishing opportunities

More frequently: dribblings

to maintain possession in

the box and create situations

for combination play

Important: forwards often made

diagonal runs to goal with an

open position to the player in

possession of the ball


Analysis Area 3: Attacking PlayAttacking through the center – individual skill



Combination play through the center



Quality criteria in attack

High-quality attacking play with

great precision– more goals from

combination play than ever!

Basis 1: maintaining possession

in midfield, especially through

short passes

Basis 2: skillful trailing striker with

ability to retain possession

Basis 3: creative player with

goal-scoring abilities

Basis 4: flexible changes of

positions

Basis 5: frequent triangular play



Summary

- individual skill

- combination play

- diagonal passes

- wing play

- attacking through the center

- changing pace and rhythm of

the game!

Top-teams prove to

be attacking-minded,

fast, and flexible

They reveal a large repertoire

of means of attack of the

highest quality:


EURO 2008-Analysis

Overview






Bernd Stöber5


Quality Criteria of the Champions, Spain

Highest quality in attacking play

– based on a perfect balance of

defense and attack!

Best mixture of efficiency and

attractiveness of the game

Distinct changes of rhythm within

long phases of possession

Combination play based on quick

ball-movement using one- and

two-touch-play


Quality Criteria of the Champions, Spain

Great consistency and absolute

winning mentality

Deep and even roster at the highest

level – greatest consistency during

the course of the tournament

Mix of young and experienced,

creative and robust players

Flexible game plan

Great team-spirit


Primary Quality Criteria in International

Football at the Highest Level

The determinant of success is individualclass, which always has to be embedded in aperfectly functioning team!

“The team-oriented and strong personality is the star”


Consequences for the

DFB-Elite Development

Core principles of the DFB-Elite Development such as

individualized orientation of

the development process

focus on applying basic

techniques under pressure

attacking-mindedness as a

basic attitude

teams with personalities

winning mentality

fitness as the foundation for

football-specific qualities

are supported by our findings in the EURO 2008!!!


EURO 2008-Analysis

THANK YOU!

Documents

Sport-Specific Analysis of the EURO 2008 AEFCA Symposium 2008... · Analysis Area 1: Systems of Play/Positions Summary Not systems of play, but individual quality is the most important