Premier League tactic review - How did Tottenham win Manchester City? Long pass cracks high-pressure

August 24, Tottenham defeated Manchester City 2-0 away in the second round of the Premier League, winning beautifully. After the game, there were also many discussions on tactical designs around the coaches of both sides. In fact, Thomas Frank's tactical arrangements for this game can be written into textbooks, how to crack high-pressures, and how to use the opponent's push-up defense line to fight a quick counterattack.

If you want to win the game, do a good job of defense first. In the football match, the first thing to compete in the midfield of both sides.

The midfield iron triangle formed by Palinia, Bentancur and Saar are active in fighting, running a lot, and successfully tackled 5 times. They successfully locked Reindez, causing Manchester City's ball to be sent to the front line.

Tottenham's high-pressing is intense, very hard, and uniform, which reflects Frank's daily training quality.

The first wave of the forward line and midfielder was picked up by the opponent, and the central defender immediately rushed forward. Romero cut off Haaland at Manchester City's half, causing Haaland to have to counterattack the foul, which is the best example.

When Manchester City had the ball, Tottenham's last line of defense was to retreat about 15 meters in front of the penalty area. At this time, one of Romero or Van Devin's central defenders will save, and the opponent passes the ball or breaks through, and you will find that other defenders are flocking to you and there is no time to deal with it. This is a relatively advanced defense. You should never make the ball holder comfortable. You have to go up and press, and the first wave may not be taken away. It is to create opportunities for teammates who come up to the second wave.

Tottenham's two major central defenders are excellent. Don’t look at Romero’s favorite cards. His and Van Devin’s tackle, shovel and blocking skills also represent their attitude towards the game.

Van Dewen's sliding shovel blocking is very handsome? If it weren't for his tackle, Foden might have scored, too close to the goal.

Frank is a coach who can inspire players and stimulate their potential rather than suppress them.

When Richarlisong limps and wants to participate in high-pressing frontcourt, will you be a little moved? This is a good player, and although his skills are not that comprehensive, I never doubt his attitude towards the game.

I hope Richarlisson will receive careful training from Frank this season and will also increase the ball, and then win the starting center position of Brazil's team in the 2026 World Cup.

So, what about the attack?

In the first round of the new season, a prominent change in Manchester City is that the defense line has been raised higher than last season. The reason behind this is that the assistant coach invited by Guardiola was Linders, the former assistant of Klopp. The Dutch likes to play high positions, grab the opponent's halftime, and pushes the last line of defense near the center line to create offside.

Frank keenly discovered this and developed countermeasures.

Of course, before Johnson scored, Tottenham also had 6 offsides. But Tottenham insisted on following the right sideline and hit the opponent's head for a long pass, which resulted in a miraculous effect.

Norry's injury slowed down Manchester City's left defense. Kudus attracted Ake's defense from the substitute. Saar swam to the front line and received a long pass from the backcourt and rubbed a clever header. Richarlisson made a high-speed breakthrough and Johnson pushed the ball into the net.

Frank used a typical long pass tactic to break Manchester City's high-level press. The key to this goal is Polo's forward delivery, and Saar's header was to head the ball. To crack Manchester City's high-level press, Tottenham's "Big Foot" drills have been several times in the past 30 minutes. This is Frank's training result, excellent!

When Tottenham faces a high-pressure press, how to pick the ball out through a slow-paced short pass and then suddenly launch a direct pass counterattack? This is a tactic worth studying.

Tottenham's high-pressure was also very hard, and Trafford's mistake led to Tottenham's second goal.

There are problems with Manchester City's offensive method of establishing a backcourt. This is the fault of Guardiola and Linders. Don't blame young goalkeeper Trafford too much. The two central defenders stood at the edge of the small penalty area, the distance was too close. The opponent pressed back to Gonzalez, who was about to catch the ball. At this moment, Trafford passed the ball directly to Gonzalez according to a Gua-style textbook, rather than being able to flexibly choose to Reindez.

Richardson calmly dunked, and Trafford was still slapping the ball on the ground with one hand. Richardson hid smartly and gave the ball to his teammates. Palinia calmly pushed the ball into the net.