Maand: juni 2021

Euro 2020 has started to start, but I still am wondering about what happens in the Eliteserien in Norway at the moment. I’ve not done any analysis concentrating on the defensive side of set-pieces for a while now, and that is something I want to change. So this is about the defensive positioning of Molde SK in this Eliteserien season in Norway. 

I’ve chosen to look at Molde FK as they are a big side in Norway and that it is quite interesting to see how well top teams in a league perform on the defensive side of things, as they usually are the ones doing the majority of the attacking. 

Molde FK vs Tromsø IL

In the video above you can see Molde defending a corner against Stromsø, who have a corner from the right. It’s an inswinging corner from the right, taken by a left-footed player.

When the corner is taken we see Molde set up defensively in a two-player zonal structure. One zonal marker is on the near post and one is on the far post, which is a slightly particular set up, as most teams set up with two zonal markers at the near post. There is a 3v3 situation in the six-yard box with three players of Stromsø in the six-yard box being man-marked by Molde. In the 11 meter zone, we have two runners of Stromsø and their runs will be attempted to block by Molde.

The ball is delivered to the far post and it’s defended by the zonal marker of that particular zone, while the two runners try to get there as well. One of the blockers runs with the runner, but the other one lost his marker and could prove to be dangerous in a different situation.

Molde FK vs SK Brann

In the video above, we see that Brann have a corner on the left and is taken by right-footed player – which means the corner will swing in. The ball will go nearer to the six-yard box than to the penalty spot.

Molde employs a three-player zonal structure in this situation with one player at the far post and two players at the near post. One is standing close to the man-maker at the near post but is definitely zonally marking that particular zone. In the six-yard box, we have a 2v2 situation which means that there are two Brann players against six Molde players. Four players are standing on the penalty spot and are trying to make a run towards the six-yard box, which will be tried to blocked by Molde’s defensive players.

The ball goes to the near post and is headed away, because of the overload in that particular zone. Again, there could be a chance for Brann to attack when the ball was headed to the far post, where a 2v2 situation is – this could prove dangerous for Molde.

Another day, another set-piece analysis. Like, I previously said I wanted to look more into football on continents outside of Europe and that’s why I’m turning my eye towards Asia, India to be more precise. In this set-piece analysis I will look at the attacking corner routines of Kerala Blasters, playing in the Indian Super League.

The videos used in this analysis are form Instat and I have chosen to look at the successful routines, to see what works in this particular league and which routines are interesting to look at.

Kerala Blasters vs Mumbai City

In the video above we see Kerala Blasters in their game against Mumbai City. Kerala have a corner on the left, which is taken by right-footed player, which means the ball will swing in. The ball will be placed towards the six-yard box and the positioning of the attacking side is tailored to that.

Mumbai employs a five player zonal structure and Kerala don’t have a man in the six-yard box, which also leads to no man-marker in that box. Kerala have six players in the penalty area and they are divided in three. One unit plays on the penalty spot, with another unit standing deep just inside the penalty area, and the other unit is standing between them on the left. 

As soon as the ball is kicked we see movement from all the units. We see that the unit on the left and in the middle both move forward, but they split up. One of each unit goes to the front post and one of each goes to the goalkeeper zone, which confuses the blockers. The ball is delivered to the front post and it has been successful, resulting in a goal for Kerala.

Kerala Blaster vs GOA

In the video above we see Kerala Blasters in their game against GOA. Kerala have a corner on the right, which is taken by left-footed player, which means the ball will swing in. The ball will be placed towards the six-yard box and the positioning of the attacking side is tailored to that.

GOA employs an one player zonal structure and Kerala have one man in the six-yard box, who is man-marked. Kerala have four players in the penalty area in the central zones, with one player standing just outside the six-yard box and three players ready to make runs into the goalkeeper zone and front post. At the deep far post zone, we have another runner coming in.

As soon as the ball is kicked the players move into the goalkeeper zone and front post zone, creating space at the far post for the runner who will go to that specific area. Because there is no zonal coverage at the far post, he can easily score a goal.

Kerala Blasters vs Hyderabad FC

In the video above you Kerala Blasters against Hyderabad. Kerala have a corner on the left, which is taken by left-footed player, which means the ball will swing out. The ball will be placed between the six-yard box and the and the penalty spot.

Hyderabad employs an one player zonal structure and Kerala have one man in the six-yard box, who is man-marked. Kerala have three players in the 11 meter zone, with one player standing on the left to receive a short pass, but he will go into the penalty area as well. At the deep far post zone, there is another runner of Kerala.

As soon as the ball is kicked, the unit of three moves towards the central zone – with the third man remaining on his position. We have two units of two, one in the front post zone and one in the far post zone. In the end the player from the orginal three player united manages to head the ball home, because he’s unmarked.