Chelsea: How sustainable is #Sarriball ?

Image result for sarri ball

What is Sarri-ball? And what does it rely on?

Defensively

Team either gets behind the ball to high press from a medium block, or defends his own half, always with a compact block (full zonal marking, with mutual defensive cover and distances maintained) and offside trap.

What does it require?

Image result for sarri ball

A lot of automatisms to read triggers and keep the correct distances with teammates. A lot of focus over teammates’ positioning is needed.

What’s new?

The high press is energy-consuming, even more so when momentum isn’t turned into goals. Instead of defending their own half in 5+4 then 5+3 like under Conte, Chelsea defends in 4+3 (or 4+5 when opposition fullbacks advance).

Chelsea’s center backs still struggle to defend outside of their position within the box, something which Mourinho partially solved playing (for the second time) a right footed defender at left back (Gallas / Azpilicueta), and Conte solved by playing three at the back.

Image result for chelsea parking the bus

As for parking the bus — once ahead on the score like in the second half vs. Liverpool at home (i.e.: most advanced player in our side of the center circle) — Sarri’s Chelsea doing so in 4141 (sort of) is a welcome change from Conte doing exactly the same in 532 and Mourinho in 4411.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *