After we decided to analyse the
Finnish national Team’s defensive organization on Part I (https://futebolapoiado.blogspot.com/2020/01/historic-finnish-euro-qualification.html), on this Part 2 our aim was
focus on offensive patterns, highlighting the following topics:
- Offensive organization
- Offensive transitions
- Strikers mobility
1.
OFFENSIVE
ORGANIZATION
The Finnish national team
starts from a 4-4-2 tactical system, however in an offensive organization show
us a set of dynamics and patterns that constantly change the design of the team
on the field. About the build-up phase and inter-sectoral links patterns, they
mostly decide to build up with three players, by using one of the midfielders “dropping
back” to an zone between the side back and the center back of his team. From
this dynamic, a set of subsequent ones unfolds: 1 Lateral moves in
depth, constantly width open; 2 winger from the same side explores
inside areas in spaces between lines; 3 the strike moves in opposite
direction, that is, they start from an inside areas to exterior areas, trying
to explore the depth in the opponent’s space between the side back and center
back.
(click on the following video
to watch some examples)
The pattern previously
described was the most often identified when the Finnish team was in offensive
organization. However, we have identified, less frequently, another pattern
that should be highlighted.
We can see during the
build-up phase, at this time: 1 the side backs doesn’t are upfield, and
instead of that, they give a solution closer to the center back; 2 the
wingers keep width open upfield; 3 the preferential link from the center
backs, side backs or midfielders is by a long ball to striker on opposite side,
when he “droppes down” to explore spaces between lines.
(click on the following video
to watch some examples)
The Finnish national team’s
biggest cause of success on offensive organization or offensive transitions is
the mobility of the strikers, with constant movements and countermovements
causing many difficulties in the opponent’s defensive organization.
2.
OFFENSIVE TRANSITIONS
This is one of the moments in
the game where the Finnish national team is stronger and where most goals are
scored. Being on a mid-low block they know that when they recover the ball possession,
they can take advantage of all the space that exists on opponent's half of the
field.
The transition method can
vary, by exploring the back of the last defensive line, or by passing a
vertical ball between lines exploring the approaching movement of one of the
strikers, or exploring the strikers when they move to side areas, on spaces
normally left by opponent’s side backs. Regardless of the method used, it is
common to all that Finnish team put both strikers, both wingers and one midfielder
running quickly upfield and objectively, trying to take advantage of the
counterattack situation by taking numerical advantage over the opponent.
The Finnish National Team
Striker’s profile has the ideal characteristics for this moment of the game,
they are very fast with and without ball and they also know how to be setted up
so that the teammates can link with them.
(click on the following video
to watch some examples)
3. STRIKERS MOBILITY
On Part I we mentioned
the importance of game principles, and on this chapter the Finnish national team
is especially strong on the principle of mobility. This principle aims to:
Create actions to disrupt opponent’s defensive organization; Position on self
in a suitable space to score; Create in-depth passing options; Achieve ball
control to give sequence to the offensive action (pass or shot on goal)
(GARGANTA, PINTO, 1994)
Essentially based on
movements and countermovements (moving first in one direction, then
accelerating in the opposite direction) are a behaviour often used by the two
forwards. This type of movement is what allows to save enough time and space to
receive “in approaching” and continue to have the possibility to link the game
in the direction of the opposing goal, or to deceive the opponent and receive
the ball in space. For this type of movement have success it is important a coordination
between the movement of the strikers and the other teammates. This is one of
the topics that deserves to be highlighted, as it is impressive the
coordination and the knowledge that the whole team has of itself in moments of
offensive transition, also due to the fact that they have played together for
several years.
(click on the following video
to watch some examples)
Nacional team success goes far beyond tactical systems, dynamics, patterns, behaviors, etc. There is always a unity relationship and solidarity from goalkeeper to strikers, these relationships between players and this team spirit make it possible to transcend themselves during the game and make everything once impossible, possible!
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