Has a New Offensive System Been Invented?

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Hello and warm welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, the following topics take center stage:

1. ⚽Germany vs France

2. 👉2 New Exercises

⚽Germany vs France

The European Championship is just around the corner, and Germany urgently needed a success to lift the spirits and boost confidence. Ideally, this should happen against France, who are also going into the tournament this year as one of the favorites. However, it wasn't just that Germany dominated the game; equally captivating was Nagelsmann's innovative tactical approach. The team showed great adaptability and creativity in attack, making them a difficult opponent to defend against. At the same time, their roles in transition play and defense were clearly defined.

Already in the starting lineup, it was evident that Nagelsmann opted to forego a traditional striker and instead fielded his most technically skilled players. He practically only deployed midfielders, raising the question of whether this would function as a collective. Even on the right side, Kimmich played, who usually operates in the center, promising even more control.

Musiala, Wirtz, Gündogan, and Havertz are all standout players known for their ability to exploit spaces between opponents. Nagelsmann allowed them considerable freedom in attack. What's interesting is that I haven't seen any other team place four players so high up the field centrally. As Kimmich and Mittelstädt pushed forward, it appeared almost like a 3-1-6 formation, with one midfielder frequently dropping back to provide support.

Before we explore more tactical nuances, let's take a moment to appreciate Wirtz's stunning goal. But make no mistake, it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment action. It was a meticulously planned play executed to perfection. At this level, every detail is carefully considered. This goal exemplifies why set-piece situations, including kick-offs, are deemed so significant that clubs often employ specialists for them. In the weeks ahead, we'll delve deeper into the intricacies of set-piece strategies.

Returning to Nagelsmann's ideas: Toni Kroos, an absolute midfield leader, returned to the team after three years of absence. Much like at Real Madrid, he was inclined to drop diagonally for the German team, often resulting in a back three with Rüdiger and Tah, while Mittelstädt pushed further forward. Typically, Mittelstädt positioned himself slightly more advanced compared to Kimmich, as Mbappé posed the greatest threat for France on Kimmich's side.

Nagelsmann's team adeptly exploited the spaces between the lines, while France, defending in a 4-4-2 formation, struggled to find a clear answer to it.

In general, France displayed a weak performance. They seemed tactically overwhelmed and left many spaces open due to slow collective shifting, barely possessing the ball except for about 15 minutes in the later stages of the first half. Distances between players were often considerable, making it easy for Germany to find open space and circulate the ball.

On the other side, Germany was mentally sharp and transitioned well and quickly when they lost possession. They were often in a good position to immediately engage in counter-pressing and regain the ball swiftly after losing it.

In defense, Germany also employed a 4-4-2 system, but they played more compactly. Particularly, offensive-minded players like Musiala and Wirtz had to contribute defensively, doubling up on Mbappé and Dembélé. Nagelsmann allowed the players to be creative but also emphasized the importance of defensive contribution for the success of the whole team. It's certainly advantageous that the players are young, ambitious, and not yet established as seasoned superstars.

On the other hand, it's well known that defensively, Mbappé isn't the most active player, despite his significant contributions in the attacking third. This aspect was particularly evident in this game, as there was a constant impression that Germany had an extra player on the field. France's gameplay was too predictable. The only threat came from Mbappé's side or occasionally from Dembélé. Otherwise, there was never a sense that another player could make a difference. Overall, France seemed extremely passive. Rüdiger, Tah, and Kroos, in particular, faced little to no pressure in the first half, making it very easy for them to build up calmly from the back.

In the second half, France attempted to adjust their tactics by pressing earlier. However, it was often observed that the midfield didn't fully engage, resulting in huge gaps appearing in the center of the pitch.

France's attempt to press higher at the start of the second half was immediately punished by a beautiful goal from Havertz. It was delightful to see Musiala make a run into the gap (a good example for any attacker), and after a remarkable pass from Wirtz, he then laid it off to Havertz.

Conclusion: Germany played really well and won convincingly. But we should be a bit careful celebrating because France didn't play their best. Normally, teams don't get as much time and space in important matches. Still, Nagelsmann's choices were smart and creative. He used his players' strengths without risking the defense. Let's see if they can do the same against the Netherlands tonight.

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👉2 New Exercises

2 new exercises are out. Get unlimited access to all existing and upcoming videos with our monthly or yearly subscription.

Exercises:

• 1 vs 1 finishing under pressure

• FC Bayern Munich Passing Drill

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