The following tactical analysis is from Zach Wu, who’s not a Sailors fan, but we just thought it would be good for someone without rose-tinted glasses to analyse the tactics of our games. We hope to make this a regular column so that we can better appreciate what is going on in our games from a tactical perspective.
Bangkok United (“BU”) were unchanged from their previous league game, a 3-0 win against Sukhothai FC. On the other hand, the Sailors were missing key defensive pieces in Nur Adam, Bailey Wright and Pedro Henrique.
BU are known to be a team that like to keep the ball on the ground while not heavily relying on their foreigners. Hence, the Sailors had to set out to disrupt BU’s passing game and create space for their quality attackers to break through on transitions.
With the aforementioned absences, it would be hard for the Sailors to play a back 4 given that their first choice leftback (Nur Adam) was out and the alternatives being relatively untested (Harith Kanadi) or not as defensively solid (Chris van Huizen). Also, missing 2 physically imposing, first choice centrebacks would also possibly mean the defending would be less effective. Hence, the Sailors set up in their 5-4-1/5-3-2 hybrid formation.
First Half
Bangkok United’s Gameplan
BU’s gameplan was simple. While getting used to the artificial turf, they would circulate the ball slowly to keep possession. When LCS were pinned back, their fullbacks would join the attack while their 3 midfielders would stay in their positions, forming a rough 2-3-5 shape in attack.
Lion City Sailors’ Gameplan
Without the ball, LCS generally sat deeper in a 5-4-1 shape with Lestienne slightly higher on the right side. This was to allow Lestienne to push and support Zivkovic in pressing their opponents when an opportunity would arise, then forming a 5-3-2 shape. This allowed the LCS block to move up higher up the pitch and possibly win the ball to launch some counter attacks.
Let’s examine one example. Here, LCS have managed to corner the rightback on the ball by eliminating his options. The only real option is to play it backwards to the right centreback (who is just out of frame).
Here is another scenario where both BU fullbacks are high up the pitch and out of frame. LCS have recognized it is a 5 on 5 situation here where it is a good opportunity to win the ball and have pressed up onto their direct opponents using their 5-3-2 shape (yellow).
However, this 5-3-2 could get bypassed if one of the BU midfielders moved wider and would have to drive with the ball ahead (yellow) when the narrow 5-3-2 press had to shift over.
Off the ball, the gameplan was much simpler, with LCS hitting long balls into the wider areas (especially the side Zivkovic was on), for flick-ons. This eventually created the LCS goal, with Diego (orange) winning a long ball and then Chris (yellow) charging into the space.
Another way to progress the ball when the BU press was escaped was for one of the side centrebacks (Hariss or Lionel) to drive forward and then either find the wingback advancing (Mamat in orange) or one of the wingers (Lestienne in yellow) who would try to drop into the pocket and receive. (That is my guess why Lestienne was deployed on the right and Diego on the left, to encourage them to cut onto their stronger foot when they receive the ball).
My only criticism of the first half would be that at times LCS could have held onto the ball better, especially when there was no pressure on the ball. BU were also struggling to adapt to the artificial pitch, as could be seen from their loose touches and passes. In general, it was a good half, limiting BU to just 0.23 xG while being clinical themselves. Textbook underdog performance thus far.
Second Half
Bangkok United’s Tactical Tweaks
BU made a slight change to their formation while keeping the personnel the same. Instead of pushing the fullbacks high and keeping the 3 central midfielders to form a 2-3-5 shape that could be easily pressed by LCS, they decided to form a 3-2-5 shape instead, by keeping the right back to form the 3 at the back, and pushing one of the central midfielders up to join the left back and the front trio.
This small tactical change actually created the winning goal for BU. Here, Diego (blue) is lured out to press the deep rightback thinking he can win the ball. This allows BU to play a quick passing combination (red) to find the #28 (yellow) who has pushed up higher. Having bypassed the LCS midfield, BU would shift the ball wide before moving it back into the centre where Thitiphan finds some space and scores a wonderful goal. There were more issues that led to this goal which I will elaborate on further below.
Anu’s Early Substitution
It was surprising to see Anu being subbed off. While not the best on the ball, his ability to cover ground and defensive awareness in midfield is second to none in the LCS ranks.
Here, for the second goal, Rui Pires (blue) is pulled out of position. Instead of covering, Hami (yellow) steps up aggressively, hoping the defensive line would step up to close the space behind him. Both Hami and the defensive line do not close Thitiphan down and he then scores a banger into the top corner.
While there is no guarantee Anu would have stopped the goal, it remains one of the great “what-ifs” from that game.
Plan B – First Round of Substitutions
Once the Sailors went behind, as Rankovic confirmed in his post-match press conference, the Sailors went back to their usual 433. Rui Pires was sitting while Hami and Diego were ahead of him in midfield.
Curiously, however they opted to play Shawal as the central striker, with Zivkovic on the left and Lestienne on the right. That was extremely strange for me. Shawal’s hold up play as a striker has not been great, nor is he a huge penalty box presence for crosses. Lestienne, while capable of reverse crosses from the right was not as comfortable as driving to the line with his right as compared to his left.
Especially as the Sailors’ main threat was crosses into the box, perhaps Maxime could have swapped flanks?
Zivkovic with his sheer size and his technical ability might been better at both holding up the ball while being a penalty box threat himself. Personally, I wonder if Coach Rankovic would do things different if he could wind the clock back. I would personally have put Zivkovic upfront, Lestienne on the left and Shawal (throwback to his Hougang days) on the right.
Plan C – Going for Broke
Going for broke, Rankovic put Rui Pires at the back with Super with Hami the deepest midfielder with Adam and Diego higher up. Again, Anu would be useful here. Instead of Hami sitting, Anu would have been a much better candidate with his defensive awareness and ability to cover ground, especially when the game became end to end and started to become stretched.
A little sidenote – curiously at offensive corners, it was strange to see Zivkovic (yellow), a striker and one of the tallest players to be outside the box at the death. Even Zharfan the goalkeeper has gone into the box!
Conclusion
Given that the Sailors were facing the Thai league leaders at home, the players can take heart with their performances. Losing by a goal in a tight game without their 2 best foreign defenders and first choice left back is commendable.
Sailors’ initial setup was right given the loss of certain personnel but taking off Anu proved to be fatal. The curious organization of the front 3 also meant that LCS were unable to create clear-cut chances needed to level the game.
BU showed great resolve from being behind and adapting to an artificial pitch on a difficult away day. Credit also has to go to Coach Totchtawan Sripan, the BU manager, whose tactical adjustment at halftime won them the game, on his return to Singapore.
Written by Zach Wu
Edited by Eddy Hirono
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