Scout Report: Albie Morgan (Charlton 0-1 Wimbledon, EFL Cup Round 1)

Charlton Athletic may have suffered a first round exit from the EFL Cup after a 0-1 defeat to AFC Wimbledon, but I did feel that Albie Morgan’s display was worth noting on.

Arsenal Transfer Analysis: Defenders Part 1: Martin Hinteregger

Now that the transfer window is open, Arsenal are going to have to add to the current options at their disposal. In which case, this series of articles is meant to outline some potentially affordable targets Arsenal could pursue this summer. Targets that since project restart, have also shown qualities Arsenal could do with having amongst their ranks.

It can be argued that the games that have been played since the restart have shown the players strengths and weaknesses’ well.

This series is to look at four players – two defenders, one midfielder and one attacker, that impressed since the restart, that show potential and room to develop under coach Mikel Arteta. The aim is to show how even after a turbulent season, there is room for Arsenal to outwit the market in a financially challenging climate.

Martin Hinteregger, 27, Centre-back, Eintracht Frankfurt

A Tifo video suggesting Hinteregger in January

Martin Hinteregger is one of a few sorts of profiles at the back Arsenal should be looking to sign. The Eintracht Frankfurt man is a defender Arsenal should consider, largely due to his ability in possession. And one subsequent attribute Hinteregger boasts is his ability to break the lines. Against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Frankfurt’s first game back after lockdown, Gladbach had scored twice in the first seven minutes so intrinsically decided to sit-off but in doing so gave Hinteregger the room to push forward and play passes through the lines of press into midfielders and forwards.

And although Swiss side Basel defeated Frankfurt in the Round of 16 stage of this season’s Europa League, Hinteregger showed quality for a losing side, and his passes did progress play from defence into midfield. In this particular scenario, a gap in the Basel midfield line was exploited.

Hinteregger’s passing range stands out because his passing is penetrative and has meant Frankfurt can start attacks from the back by building the play from defence into midfield, or with one quick switch from defence to the forward line.

Hinteregger also has quite an unorthodox stance when playing the ball and he made certain passes into midfield, and it seemed the opposition didn’t expect it. This is because there is very little room for error, as an opponent you would be happy for most centre-backs to try these passes. But, as Hinteregger gets pushed further and further wide, he still has the ability to execute a high-risk pass.

Hinteregger shifts across and plays the pass through the midfield to meet the teammate on the edge of the centre circle.

What makes Hinteregger profound in this regard is there are less left-footed centre-backs notably good at playing line-breaking passes.

Take David Luiz for instance. Luiz is capable of stepping inside and playing passes between the lines – take that pass leading to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal ina tight 3-2 win against Everton, and also hitting a diagonal on his stronger foot. But Luiz is right-footed whilst playing as a left-sided centre-back when Arsenal have adopted a back four. Hinteregger steps outwards onto his left-foot which perhaps makes it easier to play vertical passes on that side of the pitch.

When comparing the data behind the two defenders, it’s evident that both are adept in possession. Both like to play diagonal switches out to the flnaks and that is backed up by both averaging at least 1 switch every 90 minutes, and both do tend to play the ball directly into the the final-third from defence. With Hinteregger and Luiz, a side has the option to break through the lines, or play over the top of the defence.

And as alluded to, like Luiz, Hinteregger also has the diagonal pass in his repertoire. This is great for a team trying to play out from the back, with wingers who like to receive the ball high and out wide, and to stretch the opposition back line. Also, having a defender with great passing range can allow creative midfielders to pick up dangerous positions in pockets of space thereby receiving theball in areas where it’s harder to occupy said midfielder’s movement.

Yet a centre-back’s main job is still to defend, even in the modern game; and defensively, Hinteregger offers a lot in the air, winning 110 duels in the Bundesliga last season, and certainly knows how to make a goal-saving block or goal-line clearance.

https://youtu.be/5cpavROe4yQ?t=79

These are slight concerns however, in that it’s arguable Hinteregger is occasionally too eager and therefore a little bit clumsy, having this habit of coming through players to get the ball, giving away free kicks as a result. This in-turn is reflected in his disciplinary record with 14 yellows this season across all three competitions. Although Hinteregger does sometimes lack cover on his left-side, in part due to Frankfurt’s expansive game.

In this sense, it’s worth considering Kieran Tierney, who’s shown good recovery skills and positioning without the ball will provide good cover in either a back three or four system.

When looking at defensive stats, Hinteregger, again in comparison with David Luiz, is superior in the air, which would support Arsenal when defending from set-pieces, where goals were leaked by the Gunners last season – 15 goals in the league. Hinteregger was also a source of goals, scoring 8 in the Bundesliga last season, so would also be a threat in the opposition box.

The analysis does suggest Hinteregger is the more aggressive defender in his own box and in the air. Although there is a rashness to Hinteregger’s game, he is less prone to errors than Luiz, and is it worth considering that the Austrian is five-years Luiz’s junior?

Hinteregger would arguably be a smart move, and there would be room for Hinteregger to develop under Mikel Arteta. This is precisely the purpose of this article – to find rough gems, with good skills that can be maximised by Arteta’s coaching.

To conclude, Hinteregger has qualities on the ball, as well as being a solid defender, with seemingly no reliance on a particular system. And the cons don’t outweigh the pros. Hinteregger would perhaps in due time, be the perfect experienced partner for William Saliba in a back four but would also be very good in the centre or left-side of a back three.

IMAGES: BT Sport, Bundesliga, OneVersusOne

DATA: http://www.fbref.com

Premier League 2018-19: Tactical Queries

Following what was a fantastic World Cup, the English Premier League is once again the focus of the football mindsets of many. Though the World Cup, and new transfer regulations have somewhat restricted teams particularly bigger teams opportunities to bolster their respective sides (Though, sides outside of the top 6 have made some big signings.), I am firmly convinced that this upcoming season is to be one of the finest Premier League seasons yet.

La Liga mid-sesason assessment: Part 1 – FC Barcelona

In such a drama filled stage of the La Liga season, Spain’s premier division saw its league leaders – FC Barcelona, if you need reminding, maintain their position almost unscathed, Zinedine Zidane and his Real Madrid side clutching at straws displaying a glimpse of the subdued, with the title seemingly out of reach. An uncustomary display of Atletico’s attacking prowess saw an excellent 5-0 win over Levante, but, Atletico, who have only conceded 9 goals (as of 28/1/18) saw their unbeaten run come to an end through a 0-1 away loss to Espanyol. With Atletico now out of the Champions League following a group-stage exit, can they now focus on the league entirely?

Barcelona, on the other hand, are still riding high in European football’s top domestic competition, and were involved in two of the biggest games of the season so far, historically and in regards to the league title, firstly drawing 1-1 against Valencia and then dominating the El Clasico in a 0-3 thrashing of Real Madrid. Both of these games were also fascinating tactical battles and demolishing Real kicked off a 7-game win-streak. When will it end?

An assessment of mid-season games and form, and what is coming next for La Liga’s title-challenging sides comes courtesy of Spanish football writer, Alfred Amoah.

Part 1 – Barcelona

Tactical Analysis: Fiorentina 2-4 Roma

Introduction

Fiorentina and Roma’s recent head-to-head in Round 12 of the 2017-18 Serie A proved to be an excellent encounter. With both teams obtaining new coaches; Fiorentina having appointed former Inter Milan coach Stefan Pioli, whereas former Sassuolo coach Eusebio di Francesco has taken charge at Roma. Roma came into this game with a 4-game win streak in all competitions, conceding no goals during this run which included a huge 3-0 home win against 2016-17 premier league champions, Chelsea in Group C of the Champions League. Fiorentina, on the other hand, were coming into this game with an away loss to Crotone.

This analysis is mainly going to focus on Roma taking advantage of Fiorentina’s pressing in their block and Roma’s use of the press in Fiorentina’s build-up.

Tactical Analysis: Bologna 0-3 Napoli

Napoli seared through as clear winners in what was for large durations, a very chess-like encounter. Having won half of their first two games of the new Serie A season, Bologna, who hosted the encounter deployed a narrow 4-4-2 formation, which relied on man-oriented pressing and an organised back line. Napoli, on the other hand, who had won both sets of matches, scoring 6 goals in the process, set out with their associated 4-3-3 formation which is well-suited to controlling space in the opposition half.

Scout Report: Eredivisie talent boasts great potential

Source: Getty Images

The new season has started, and there are a lot of reasons to look forward to the top 5 competitions, the Premier League where the top 6, apart from Tottenham Hotspur, have all spent big money. Ligue 1 has exploded following Paris-Saint Germain’s somewhat controversial signing of Neymar Jr. Seria A supporters will experience the comeback of AC Milan, the Bundesliga showcase Dortmund, Leipzig and Hoffenheim as they challenge Bayern for the title and of course La Liga with all the big superstars: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and now Ousmane Dembele.

The Eredivisie 17/18 season has also begun and it seems like it will be a very exciting year with a lot of new talent. Subsequently, I have decided to make a list of 4 players to watch in the Eredivisie 17/18 season.

The characteristics of Virgil van Dijk

 

A standard Southampton starting XI, Claude Puel has typically deployed a 4-diamond-2 formation during the early stages of the 2016-17 season. With Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu as a lone pivot, aiming to close down passing lanes, Virgil van Dijk is thus allowed extra licence to progress into midfield.

 

EURO 2016 Scout Report: Luka Modric

The diminutive king of the park while performing for Real Madrid on a weekly basis, Luka Modric has proved to be one of the early shining lights in the 15th edition of the UEFA European Championships.

Ryan Quinn, editor of The Conventional Playmaker, analyses what makes Luka Modric such a wonderfully talented midfield player.

Scout Report: Pione Sisto

Pione Sisto, has gained the attention of many a football fan, following FC Midtjylland’s fantastic 2-1 win over Manchester United. The Ugandan-born Danish midfield prospect performed in what could be considered the game of his career so far against the Red Devils, showcasing skill and drive, causing many problems for Louis van Gaal’s defence. The Danish side played a high-pressing style of attacking football, spearheaded by the creativity of Sisto, who scored a superb solo effort as a result.