Line-up adjustments to match up with the Czechs and Italians

[EVS]

We all know that, more than most managers, Arena tailors his team to match up against the weaknesses of his opponents, Rather than simply playing to our own strengths and trying the opponent to react. (I'd spend a second or two trying to establish this premise -- citing to decisions like the 3-5-2 he whipped out during WC2002 -- , but it seems evident enought to be that I'll just assume it.)

So, what is he re-acting to in our first two games:

CR: Three great attacking midfielders -- Poborsky, Rosicky and Nedved. One big target man. Slowish back-line.

Italy: Tons of talent through the middle of the field, big forwards, great central defense but slightly weaker wingbacks.

I understand these are simplifications, and that there are a lot of things about these teams, but I think these are relatively accurate.

So what does this mean for player selection/formation?

I think against CR, Arena is going to want three solid defensive players in midfield, each one responsible (not in man-marking sense, but responsible) for each of Czech's playmakers. Two of these are pretty easy to pick -- Beasley on one wing and Mastroeni in the middle. The other winger is harder, as our best other wing player -- Convey -- isn't much of a defender. That's why I think Dempsey will get the start at right wing. Although he is less polished than Convey going forward (although pleasantly unpredictable), he's quite an athlete. I think Arena might peg him to handle Nedved the way Sanneh played Figo (not that dempsey will be lining up at right back, but, instead, the general idea of using a superior athlete to shut down a superior attacking talent) and just tell him to stay back more than he usually does. This would free Cherundolo to attack more too. Going forward, I think Donovan and McBridge will play at the forwards slots, with Reyna or O'Brien in the hole behind them. This should provide us with plenty in attack. This would put us in a classic diamond 4-4-2. Pope and Gooch at central back are an ideal pairing to deal with a big man/fast man forward combo like Koller and Barros.

Italy: Against Italy, because of Nesta and Cannavaro, we'll need to get our attack from the wings. (not that italy's outside defenders aren't great, but they aren't Nesta great). Further, we're going to have to jam the middle to cut off the distribution from Pirlo and from the more advanced Totti. To achieve these ends, I think a 4-5-1 with convey and Donovan in advanced wing positions to attack the outside backs. Mastro, O'Brien and Reyna in the middle (or someone -- Beasley, Dempsey or Olsen, I guess -- replacing whichever of Reyna or O'Brien can't go) to clog up the middle. Bocanegra and Gooch matching up with the two big forwards and lewis and cherundolo on the wings, as always. Johnson would be a good call at forward in this game because if their central backs have a weakness, it is that they are not quite as fast as Eddie.


That's how I'd respond tactically to those two teams and it's how I think Bruce might do it (although I wouldn't be surprised to see Beasley on the right against CR to deal with Nedved). But whatever he picks, I think we'll be good in terms of tactics. In Bruce We Trust

[giffenbone]

spot on. pretty much my analysis, but i didn't feel like writing all that :rolleyes:

rep for you.

[Autogolazo]

It looks like Zambrotta is out for Italy. Starting right back.

The thought of Convey attacking and Lewis overlapping on that side against a second-choice right back is appealing, especially considering that Italy's right midfielder Camoranesi hates to play defense and generally pinches in too much to defend the wing anyway.

I like our matchup there.

[Plxix]

good stuff! now i'll go tell my soccer junkies all that and they will respect me!

[Nutmeg]

CR: Three great attacking midfielders -- Poborsky, Rosicky and Nedved. One big target man. Slowish back-line.
One great international goal-poacher in Baros as well.

I see a 4 man backline of Dolo, Gooch, Pope, Lewis. Koller will be Gooch's mark - he'll bump him, ride him, and keep him as far away from the net as possible. The outside backs have to be careful, as Baros likes to come in from wide spots.

Midfield is key. I think we go with Beasley, Mastroeni, Reyna, Dempsey, and Donovan*. Objective there is to clog up the midfield and make it tough for CR to operate. Beasley, Donovan, and Dempsey spring forward as the situation allows, and Arena will look to press CR into turnovers and counter opportunities.

McBride plays alone up top.

Italy: Tons of talent through the middle of the field, big forwards, great central defense but slightly weaker wingbacks.
Same back four as against CR. This time Gooch marks Toni, and the rest keep an eye out for Gilardino and Totti.

Four man off-centered midfield of Convey, Donovan, O'brien, and Mastroeni. Mastroeni marks Totti closely. Convey free to attack on left. Donovan plays centrally and can move right, but Dolo will move up to provide a lot of the width. O'brien pulls the strings with his passing.

McBride and Johnson start up top.

* - not what I would do, but what I think Arena will do.

[Shaster]

three midfield defenders--Reyna (JOB), Mastro, and Beasley. Beasley will stay at the right to contain Nedved.

Czech is kind of like Portugal that only start one defense-mind midfield in Galasak (like Petit). That will be a huge mistake. Donovan will use his both way play to pressure Galasak who will run out gas pretty soon. So Porborsky, Nedved, and Rosicky will function as Figo/Rui Costa/(Forget the name). I think anyone who only start 1 def against USA will pay the price.

The USA game requires both Donovan and Beasley able to join the attack and back to defense at same time.

For Italy, they may start two on the middle with Pirlo and Guttaso/De Rossi, so you will see USA using Reyna to fight with Guttaso/Rossi, Donovan with Pirlo, and Mastro with Totti/Del Piero. Pretty much even here.

[Shaster]

One great international goal-poacher in Baros as well.

I see a 4 man backline of Dolo, Gooch, Pope, Lewis. Koller will be Gooch's mark - he'll bump him, ride him, and keep him as far away from the net as possible. The outside backs have to be careful, as Baros likes to come in from wide spots.

Midfield is key. I think we go with Beasley, Mastroeni, Reyna, Dempsey, and Donovan*. Objective there is to clog up the midfield and make it tough for CR to operate. Beasley, Donovan, and Dempsey spring forward as the situation allows, and Arena will look to press CR into turnovers and counter opportunities.

McBride plays alone up top.


Same back four as against CR. This time Gooch marks Toni, and the rest keep an eye out for Gilardino and Totti.

Four man off-centered midfield of Convey, Donovan, O'brien, and Mastroeni. Mastroeni marks Totti closely. Convey free to attack on left. Donovan plays centrally and can move right, but Dolo will move up to provide a lot of the width. O'brien pulls the strings with his passing.

McBride and Johnson start up top.

* - not what I would do, but what I think Arena will do.


If we look on Portugal match, we have Mastro/JOB in the mid with Stewart to track Figo. So this time, we will see Mastro/JOB again with Beasley to track Nedved. McBride alone on the top cannot take advantage of CR's slow backline. Using either GAM/Wolfe to pair McBride with Donovan plays in the hole.

[Holland in 06]

I pretty much agree with a lot of the other posters. I don't think we will see EJ starting against CR. A 5 man mid is a must to clog up their mf. We cannot afford to give Rosicky or nedved any space. Beasley will for sure start. Mastro is a lock along with Reyna or JOB and Convey will get the nod at LM I think we will see a 4-5-1 which is not a favorite formation of mine for the U.S. but it could easily turn into a 4-4-2.

[SC LaPurisma]

Reyna said, "Beasley is our best defender". This may tanslate him to match-up against Nedved. I believe Cherondolo can also play RM. Cherondolo may be able to mark Nedved. That would leave a ? for RB. Possiblly Bocanegra? Depending on how the game is going we might substitute a player marking Nedved with another player just to keep him freshly off of his game.

We have a versatile roster with lots of different looks, but I absolutely agree 100% with everybody who posted in a way that said our first priority should be to shut down the offense of the Czech's and Italians.

[sidefootsitter]

You can play the same people but you can adjust your tactics ... chances are both Brückner and Lippi have several variations that they have long planned.

Now, if someone wants to play those two gentlemen and set up a game strategy vs. the US, then you'd have to think as a chessplayer. Your move match by your opponent's move, matched by a countermove on both sides.

Odds are is that the "feel out" will take place during the first 15 minutes or so where the Czechs and the Italians will try out half a dozen of approaches. Once they find what works, they'll stick with it for the next 15-20 minutes and then have a different approach after half-time.

Most of the stuff discussed here, by myself included, is Strategy 101. Brückner and Lippi, two men very well respected in soccer circles, are at the professorial level.

[DaniCrew]

Yesterday's game against T&T opened up a little more than we should expect against us... i think the Czech Republic will press early trying to get up 1-0 to try to duplicate yesterday's game and counter us... we must withstand their initial onslaught and, hopefully, counterpunch with some modicum of effectiveness so as to let them know they will be in a game (and slow them down to some degree)... i see the following:

***************Keller***************
*Cherundolo****Gooch**Pope****Lewis**
**************Pablo****************
*****************O'Brien************
********Reyna**********************
*************************Beasley****
***********Donovan*****************
******************McBride**********

I think between Reyna and Pablo, they will pick up Nedved wherever he ends up... we likely won't play with a true right midfielder (Reyna serving that side of the field but really allowing Cherundolo to man that side)... i think between Reyna and Cherundolo, we could play to Nedved's back... this means that we could attack Nedved's "side" by playing in behind him after he moves forward... i think we could try to run Nedved out of the stadium (hopefully reducing his effectiveness as the game goes on) by deploying this tactic... additionally, i think Beasley will play a similar type of role with Poborsky on our left side... if Poborsky and Nedved wear down to any degree, then they will get further and further away from Koller (who will be a handful for whomever is marking him)... lastly, Donovan's positioning will also be key... he'll play far enough forward so as to force the Czech's to make some tough decisions... if they move their "defensive" midfielder back, he'll be too far away from Nedved or Poborsky or Rosicky... if they make one of the central defenders mark him, Landon may have room to operate as both of the central backs are bigger players who may struggle covering that much space... additionally, it should force one of the outside backs to be deployed more inside to help deal with McBride (leaving one of the two wings more exposed)...

The key to this game will be to stay in it for as long as possible... we are not good enough to have the ball and keep possession from these guys... furthermore, keeping possession means spreading the field and we cannot afford to spread the field with the way these cats get forward... we also cannot give up stupid fouls in our half... any more, a foul 10-15 meters inside our half is the equivalent of a corner (or another dangerous cross)...

The Czech defenders are a little like the Portuguese defenders in 2002... they can be had for a change of pace and they might be a little clumsy on the tackle (so we should have some opportunities for set plays)... we CAN win this game... but it's going to be tough... we have to really play to our strengths (our fitness, our unity, our ability to follow a game plan, and our ability to counter with some degree of effectiveness)...

Against Italy, i think we'll actualy see a 3-5-2 (kind of what we saw against Mexico):

***************Keller***************
******Gooch****Pope***Bocanegra******
**Cherundolo****Pablo**********Beasley*
*********Reyna*********************
****************Donovan************
*********Johnson*******************
******************McBride***********

A lot of the time, it'll look like we have 5 defenders, but Cherundolo and Beasley will, hopefully, be able to put pressure on Grosso and whomever plays for Zambrotta... i think EJ gets into this game to help McBride battle with Nesta and Cannavaro... i think our back three will likely be Pope, Gooch, and Bocanegra... this, i feel, will be at the expense of O'Brien (who might struggle with the short window of recovery) and Lewis... i think Beasley is a must to help deal with Camoranesi... i think the depth at which Pablo can play jis position (sort of a stopper) will allow him to pick up either DelPiero or Totti (whichever one plays)... this will be important because it will take all of Pope, Gooch, and Boca to deal with Toni and Gilardino... depending on how much Lewis is able to go forward against the Czech Republic (and how it wears on his fitness) and how much Beasley improves his play, i could see Lewis playing in Beasley's stead (or one can come in for the other to keep a fresh player on Camoranesi)... if DelPiero plays, he likes to move towards his left which will force Cherundolo to mark him... if this is the case, O'Brien can come in for Pablo to help create a little more in the middle... i think this game is ripe for a draw... depending on how Italy does against Ghana in their first game will go a long way to dictating how they play in this game... if they lose or tie against Ghana, they might push a little more than they're used to (knowing that a tie against the US may not be good enough to get them through since they will likely have to go find a win against the Czech's)...

Lastly... if we happen to go down early against the Czech's, it's important that we don't lose focus on the entire tournament... of course, we will need to try to gain the equalizer... but we can't get so out of control that we end up losing 3-0 or 4-0... not only does this set a terrible tone for the rest of the tournament (and the morale of the team in general), but it also puts a lot of pressure for wins against Italy and Ghana... if we lose in game 1, we need to keep the damage to a minimum... 4 points could very easily get us through if our goal differential is not a disaster...

[NBlue]

Most of the stuff discussed here, by myself included, is Strategy 101. Brückner and Lippi, two men very well respected in soccer circles, are at the professorial level.


I'd certainly agree though, fortunately for us, I think BA is as well.