BatigoalFM Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 Igor Tudor announced his departure from Olympique de Marseille on Thursday 1 June, just one season after his arrival. It was a trying season, during which Igor Tudor put forward the argument of wear and tear, after a season in which the club finished third in the league : Citation "Working one year at OM is like working two or three years at another club". A few weeks later, Pablo Longoria decided to entrust the future of OM to Marcelino Garcia Toral, a long-standing friend with a profile synonymous with continuity in the club's project: Citation "I would like to thank Olympique de Marseille for the trust they have placed in me. Our discussions about the team and the project helped us to make an informed and considered decision. My entire staff and I are convinced by the project. I am aware of the responsibility that this mission represents, and our commitment will be total." Citation "We need attacking play and fast transitions. We need to spice up the game. I don't think we'll be relying on an individual marking system because that requires too much concentration and physical commitment." How does it play ? A dense block and moderate pressure In his five full seasons in the top flight at the helm of Villarreal, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao, Marcelino has always managed to slide his team into the top four defences in La Liga. Particularly faithful to his 4-4-2 formation (which he sometimes swapped for a 4-2-3-1 in the mid-2010s) like Igor Tudor and his 3-4-2-1, the Spanish coach runs his teams with the idea of a very compact block. It's an approach that implies a defensive structure that is as dense lengthways as it is widthways, freeing up areas for opponents who are condemned to skirting rather than penetrating. The main objective is to force the opposing team to play in a deliberately open corridor, in order to lock them in by making assiduous runs when they need to slide in. By closing off axial solutions, his teams take advantage of the slightest opportunity to recover. A central element of his game plan, Tudor's pressing was continuous, individual and without a parachute. In contrast, Marcelino's pressing was momentary, in zones, and with cover. It's a new approach that will take some time for the players to adapt to. Organised in a 4-1-3-2 formation to press forward, Marcelino's men are sticking to their game plan. Marcelino's men stuck to their guns when they came out, defending the axis to force their opponents to play laterally, then closing the doors. The two forwards provide direction, the three midfielders run and the No6 covers. Such is the organisation for a team that presses on the opposition's short ball exits and other low conservations, but which does not particularly struggle to force this type of sequence, given that the midfield block represents the easiest organisation (in particular for the space and transitions it offers). It is precisely for this reason that Marcelino's teams do not stand out from the crowd when it comes to statistics on pressing, despite their willingness to go high at times. Projections rather than possession At Villarreal, Valencia and Bilbao, Marcelino has always had a possession rate of less than 50% in La Liga. A statistic that demonstrates his confidence in his defensive organisation but also his belief in relatively low times of possession to convert. In the 2017-2018 season, Valencia finished fourth best in La Liga with 63 goals scored, despite an average possession of 48.6% (eleventh in the Championship). In order to make the most of the space freed up by the mid-low block or to take advantage of their opponents' disorganisation when recovering from high pressure, Marcelino's teams project very quickly. At the heart of these runs are two central elements: the availability of the 'inside' eccentric midfielder (Carlos Soler at Valencia and Iker Muniain at Bilbao, for example, were freer than Gonçalo Guedes or Oscar De Marcos at the other end), and the complementary nature of the two strikers. In the Basque Country, Iñaki Williams had to play with his back to goal, making one run after another to offer a deep-lying solution or pull back the opposition defensive line, in order to offer space to Raul Garcia, who was further back, facing the game and available between the lines. Carrying on FM Work in progress... Your participation is essential to the success of this tactical recreation Source : L'Équipe, French daily sports newspaper of Saturday 24 June 2023 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexandreMCD Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 Great introduction! I'm very curious to see your translation of the tactic into the match engine, since it's usually very difficult to create a compact defense based on zonal references, instead of individual ones. This year, with the removal of the offside trap, it's even harder, in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diverisma158 Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 En 24/6/2023 a las 16:40, Batigoal__ dijo: Igor Tudor announced his departure from Olympique de Marseille on Thursday 1 June, just one season after his arrival. It was a trying season, during which Igor Tudor put forward the argument of wear and tear, after a season in which the club finished third in the league : A few weeks later, Pablo Longoria decided to entrust the future of OM to Marcelino Garcia Toral, a long-standing friend with a profile synonymous with continuity in the club's project: How does it play ? A dense block and moderate pressure In his five full seasons in the top flight at the helm of Villarreal, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao, Marcelino has always managed to slide his team into the top four defences in La Liga. Particularly faithful to his 4-4-2 formation (which he sometimes swapped for a 4-2-3-1 in the mid-2010s) like Igor Tudor and his 3-4-2-1, the Spanish coach runs his teams with the idea of a very compact block. It's an approach that implies a defensive structure that is as dense lengthways as it is widthways, freeing up areas for opponents who are condemned to skirting rather than penetrating. The main objective is to force the opposing team to play in a deliberately open corridor, in order to lock them in by making assiduous runs when they need to slide in. By closing off axial solutions, his teams take advantage of the slightest opportunity to recover. A central element of his game plan, Tudor's pressing was continuous, individual and without a parachute. In contrast, Marcelino's pressing was momentary, in zones, and with cover. It's a new approach that will take some time for the players to adapt to. Organised in a 4-1-3-2 formation to press forward, Marcelino's men are sticking to their game plan. Marcelino's men stuck to their guns when they came out, defending the axis to force their opponents to play laterally, then closing the doors. The two forwards provide direction, the three midfielders run and the No6 covers. Such is the organisation for a team that presses on the opposition's short ball exits and other low conservations, but which does not particularly struggle to force this type of sequence, given that the midfield block represents the easiest organisation (in particular for the space and transitions it offers). It is precisely for this reason that Marcelino's teams do not stand out from the crowd when it comes to statistics on pressing, despite their willingness to go high at times. Projections rather than possession At Villarreal, Valencia and Bilbao, Marcelino has always had a possession rate of less than 50% in La Liga. A statistic that demonstrates his confidence in his defensive organisation but also his belief in relatively low times of possession to convert. In the 2017-2018 season, Valencia finished fourth best in La Liga with 63 goals scored, despite an average possession of 48.6% (eleventh in the Championship). In order to make the most of the space freed up by the mid-low block or to take advantage of their opponents' disorganisation when recovering from high pressure, Marcelino's teams project very quickly. At the heart of these runs are two central elements: the availability of the 'inside' eccentric midfielder (Carlos Soler at Valencia and Iker Muniain at Bilbao, for example, were freer than Gonçalo Guedes or Oscar De Marcos at the other end), and the complementary nature of the two strikers. In the Basque Country, Iñaki Williams had to play with his back to goal, making one run after another to offer a deep-lying solution or pull back the opposition defensive line, in order to offer space to Raul Garcia, who was further back, facing the game and available between the lines. Carrying on FM Work in progress... Your participation is essential to the success of this tactical recreation Source : L'Équipe, French daily sports newspaper of Saturday 24 June 2023 i need it!!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatigoalFM Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 (edited) Thank you all for your interest in this thread. Not for lack of desire or forgetfulness, but rather because I'm struggling to come up with a relevant tactical plan. To tell the truth, I'm not a specialist, but deep down I'm keen to contribute what I can. After 2 matches in the Ligue 1 championship, the available sources of analysis are still too timid. However, the Whoscored website provides some interesting data. Matchday 1 - Olympique de Marseille vs. Reims Player positions Attack sides Heatmap Matchday 2 - FC Metz vs. Olympique de Marseille Player position Attack sides Heatmap Marseille SWOT The heatmap can be viewed position by position on the website. Goalkeeper Lopez (GK) Against Reims (attacking from the right) Central defenders Against Reims (attacking from the right) Mbemba (DCL) Gigot (DCR) Against FC Metz (attacking from the left) Balerdi (DCL) Mbemba (DCR) Full-backs Against Reims (attacking from the right) Lodi (FBL) Clauss (FBR) Against FC Metz (attacking from the left) Lodi (FBL) Clauss (FBR) Central midfielders Against FC Metz (attacking from the left) Kondogbia (MCL) Rongier (MCR) Midfielders Against FC Metz (attacking from the left) Soglo (ML) Sarr (MR) Forwards Against FC Metz (attacking from the left) Aubameyang (FWL) Ndiaye (FWR) Would any experts be interested in participating in this discussion thread ? Thank you. Source : Citation Marseille 2-1 Reims - Ligue 1 2023/2024 - Match Report (whoscored.com) Metz 2-2 Marseille - Ligue 1 2023/2024 - Match Report (whoscored.com) Edited August 28, 2023 by Batigoal__ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delial Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Definitely not an expert, but a huge OM fan since...forever ?! Nice work on Tudor, btw ! After watching last Marseille's official games, I think I can come up with something about the way they're playing. Anyway, I'd try to begin with something like that for Marcelino's team. PI's : SK : None (R) CWB(s) ; Cross More Often (R) BPD(c) : Stay wide - Dribble More (L) CD(st) : None (L) FB(s) : Get Further Forward - Cross from byline (R) DLP(d) : None (L) BWM(s) : None (R) W(a) : Shoot More Often (C) SS(a) : Roam From Position (L) IW(s) : Roam From Position - Sit Narrower - Hold Up Ball (C) DLF(a) : Roam From Position - Shoot More Often This would be my start with the tactic. This one is when Aubameyang/Vitinha(PF(a)) and Ndiaye are on the pitch. If Vitinha and Aubam are together, I'd go with a flat 442, same roles, excepting I'd go with Vitinha as a PF(a) and Aubam as a CF(s). What do you think? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatigoalFM Posted August 27, 2023 Author Share Posted August 27, 2023 (edited) Le 20/08/2023 à 18:28, Delial a dit : Definitely not an expert, but a huge OM fan since...forever ?! Nice work on Tudor, btw ! After watching last Marseille's official games, I think I can come up with something about the way they're playing. Anyway, I'd try to begin with something like that for Marcelino's team. PI's : SK : None (R) CWB(s) ; Cross More Often (R) BPD(c) : Stay wide - Dribble More (L) CD(st) : None (L) FB(s) : Get Further Forward - Cross from byline (R) DLP(d) : None (L) BWM(s) : None (R) W(a) : Shoot More Often (C) SS(a) : Roam From Position (L) IW(s) : Roam From Position - Sit Narrower - Hold Up Ball (C) DLF(a) : Roam From Position - Shoot More Often This would be my start with the tactic. This one is when Aubameyang/Vitinha(PF(a)) and Ndiaye are on the pitch. If Vitinha and Aubam are together, I'd go with a flat 442, same roles, excepting I'd go with Vitinha as a PF(a) and Aubam as a CF(s). What do you think? Thank you @Delial for your contribution, well done Looking at the last Ligue 1 championship match, the tactical scheme is based on a flat 442. The goalkeeper in a libero role, playing without risk, short. The central defenders Mbemba (DCL) fairly high up and Gigot (DCR) more in cover. both off-centre. Mbemba/Gigot duo heatmap The wings were very much in demand during this match. Harit (ML), who started the match, played in a very central position, distributing the ball to his team-mates. His counterpart on the right, Sarr (MR), was very active, both offensively and defensively. On the restart, starting from the goalkeeper, he was positioned more on the inside of the game, sometimes off-centre and sometimes more axially, leaving Clauss (DD) to take the corridor. Sometimes an attacking line of 4 was formed in this position (424). A hybrid role that unsettles opponents with its mobility and freedom of movement in attacking and defensive phases, helping Clauss to recover in the middle defensive third. Harit (ML) Sarr (MR) : Don't take the top half into account, as he played on the left wing in the second half. Lodi (DG) tends to stay back to form a line of 3 with the central defenders, although he often offers himself on the left wing given the space left free by Harit (MG) playing at the heart of the midfield. He plays at the same level as Clauss (DD) with the difference that he offers himself a little less up front. Lodi (DL) Clauss (DR) The statistics show that the wings were the main areas of attack. Attack sides The central midfielders, Veretout (MCL) and Rongier (MCR), were fairly low to the ground, and the heat maps of both players show that they were positioned in the high defensive third, just behind the halfway line, supporting the attacks in the low attacking third. Only Rongier came out on the carrier when pressing the opposition's restart. Veretout/Rongier duo heatmap Up front, the duo of Aubameyang (FWL) and Ndiaye (FWR) were almost always on the same line side by side, with Ndiaye dropping back without being too low. Aubameyang/Ndiaye duo heatmap On situations during the match, the type of passes totalled 435 : 373 were short passes, 49 were long balls and 13 were crosses. Total number of attempts 15 : 6 in play, 5 counter-attacks and 4 set-pieces. The question arises as to how to achieve a transcription as close to reality as possible, given the limitations of the current game engine and the roles available on a flat 442. The layout and entertainment on offer are certainly in line with Marcelino's plans for the season. Source : Citation Marseille 2-0 Brest - Ligue 1 2023/2024 - Match Report (whoscored.com) Edited August 28, 2023 by Batigoal__ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatigoalFM Posted September 2, 2023 Author Share Posted September 2, 2023 (edited) Report from the third Ligue 1 championship match. It should be noted that the opposition was reduced to 10 men in the ninth minute. This has an influence on our overall positioning and our ability to sustain attacks. The fact remains, however, that we are still playing a flat 442. The forwards are side by side, remaining on the same line in the defensive and offensive phases. One of them sometimes (rarely) drops back to provide support. Very often the ML offers this solution, with his very axial positioning. Aubameyang (FWL) Vitinha (FWR) Aubameyang/Vitinha duo heatmap The midfielders on the flanks have a different profile. The ML behaves like a winger, positioning himself very high up to form a line of 4, but also like a winger/playmaker in the centre. During the last match, I noticed sequences where the ML formed a 433 with the central midfielders. The MR has a more complete role, particularly in the defensive phase, helping the DR much more than the ML helps the DL. He can sometimes be found inside the 18-metre box. In attack, he plays at a high level, more in the centre of the park, with a high capacity for percussion. Correa (ML) Sarr (MR) Correa/Sarr duo heatmap The central midfielders stay in the low attacking third, in the half-spaces and are almost never in the spaces or in the opponent's box. The MCR is slightly freer than the MCL, the latter being more defensive and more of an organiser of the game. Veretout (MCL) Rongier (MCR) Veretout/Rongier duo heatmap The full-backs are very eccentric, the DL remains a step more defensive but still takes up the flank. The DR remains the most percussive and free. Lodi (DL) Clauss (DR) Lodi/Clauss duo heatmap The central defenders provide a high line of defence, without creating a high block. Mbemba (DCL) Gigot (DCR) Mbemba/Gigot duo heatmap In the defensive phase, the block was very compact and dense, with the MLs moving inside and alternating pressure, sometimes in the middle, sometimes a little higher up, preventing the opposition from re-launching. The characteristics of the team have evolved. In addition, the average positions of the players extracted from a French site analysing exclusively the club's data. And a mini analysis at the end of the article on the Total Football Analysis website. Links available in the sources. At this stage, the most difficult thing is to define the roles/tasks coupled with the possible PIs. Even finding the roles of the attackers would be a good start. Only the DR is identifiable, as the CWB, but I could be wrong. Thanks for your support. Source : Citation Nantes 1-1 Marseille - Ligue 1 2023/2024 - Match Report (whoscored.com) StatsOMP / Nantes - Marseille Vendredi 1er septembre / Nul 1-1 Marseille: Why they are finally ready to challenge for the Ligue 1 title - data analysis (totalfootballanalysis.com) Edited September 3, 2023 by Batigoal__ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatigoalFM Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share Posted September 20, 2023 It's official, Marcelino Garcia Toral is no longer coach of Olympique de Marseille. A new thread will be opened shortly once the new coach has been appointed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts