#zonal marking

[hspn]

Did we write this?

Me: Um. Did we write that book?

[the-half-volley]

Here’s Bayern’s zonal marking system right before the final whistle. It’s notable from this corner how easily Dennis Aogo, over the ball, found Joel Matip (No 32), one of two players along with Alessandro Schopf (21) in Kingsley Coman’s zone. Nevertheless, the Fox broadcast team says Bayern has not conceded from a set piece in the league this season, so the zonal system must be working.

[therustycorner]

MOTHERFUCKING ZONAL GODDAMN MARKING!

-Every Gooner all at once

Arsenal 0-1 Hull

[davidmarsden]

Manchester United 1-1 Bayern Munich: Welbeck causes problems upfront but Bayern attack down the right

Bayern started as overwhelming favourites and dominated for the majority of the game, but Manchester United caused problems and weren’t flattered by a draw. David Moyes had both first-choice full-backs out, so Phil Jones and Alexander Buttner played in those positions. Further forward, Moyes picked Ryan Giggs after his excellent game against Olympiakos in the previous [...] via Zonal Marking http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/04/04/manchester-united-1-1-bayern-munich-welbeck-causes-problems-upfront-but-bayern-attack-down-the-right/

[davidmarsden]

Manchester Utd 0-3 Liverpool: Rodgers plays a diamond midfield, Liverpool win easily

Liverpool were dominant throughout the match, and could have won by a few more goals. Chris Smalling was a late withdrawal so Nemanja Vidic returned at the back, but otherwise David Moyes named his expected XI. Brendan Rodgers replaced Coutinho with Raheem Sterling at the top of the diamond instead, and he switched his full-backs – Glen [...] via Zonal Marking http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/03/17/manchester-united-0-3-liverpool-rodgers-continues-with-his-diamond-and-liverpool-win-easily/

[crosstown-derby]

Man City v Wigan

Michael Cox has a fascinating tactical breakdown of last Sunday's Man City-Wigan upset on The Guardian. One part of his breakdown stood out to me in particular: 

Wigan switched to a three-man defence, the approach Roberto Martínez employed so effectively at Wembley. City still use two strikers up front and therefore a three-man backline makes sense against them – two to track opponents, one to act as the spare man – yet many Premier League sides are too proud to change their approach so drastically. The security at the back allowed Wigan to press high up the pitch, closing down Yaya Touré particularly keenly, and they retained possession without fear of being caught two against two in defence when moves broke down.

It's not surprisingly when an idealist like Arsene Wenger refuses to change his approach when facing the potent attack of Man City, given that he harbors under the (not entirely incorrect) believe that his unwavering tactical approach is enough to defeat any squad when executed perfectly, but it is a surprise that more of the bottom dwellers in the Premier League don't utilize Wigan's tactical approach. Given the 4-0, 5-1 scorelines Manchester City have racked up against many of the EPL's worst squads, what do most of them have to lose? 

[davidmarsden]

Manchester United 0-1 Newcastle United: Pardew beefs up his midfield and Newcastle dominate possession

Manchester United lost their second consecutive home league match for the first time over a decade. David Moyes made seven changes from the side that lost to Everton in midweek. Wayne Rooney was suspended and Michael Carrick was still injured, but Robin van Persie returned. Alan Pardew moved away from the 4-4-2 system that had beaten Chelsea [...] via Zonal Marking http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/12/08/manchester-united-0-1-newcastle-united-pardew-beefs-up-his-midfield-and-newcastle-dominate-possession/

[davidmarsden]

Man City 4-1 Man United: Nasri’s narrowness and Kolarov’s overlapping puts City in charge

Manchester City dominated from the opening moments, and completely outplayed Manchester United.. Manuel Pellegrini named Alvaro Negredo rather than Edin Dzeko upfront, the first time the Spaniard has started alongside Sergio Aguero. Down the left, Gael Clichy and David Silva were out, so Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri played. David Moyes was without Robin van Persie, who [...] via Zonal Marking http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/09/22/man-city-4-1-man-united-nasris-narrowness-and-kolarovs-overlapping-puts-city-in-charge/