Season 84 - Are you ready?

[Al Svanberg]

My HFF account lost 7-3 in the FA 1st leg against a even opponent (130 vs 130). First time I basically had a real bummer result in this game. Went down 4-0 within 30 minutes. 5-0 after 35 minutes. Shots was completely even and I had an advantage in possession after 90' despite playing away. But I was just killed, think the opponent played defensive and counter. But it was also just one of those days, everything went in against me. I scored 3 (the game was 3-3 from the 31' minute to 90' and I even won the game 3-2 from the 35th minute and on). And I could easily have scored 5-6 my self. Had two posts and many long shots that usually goes in was saved and so forth.

I will make some changes for the 2nd leg that starts soon. The Off-side trap is going for sure and I will mix up the formation a little bit. But a bit tricky, don't want to do too much either. Hard to tell how much was default tactics and just how much was just crap night. Hm, some game time decisions coming up.

Yay, got him in the 2nd leg!



I got to say though, these guys counter-attacks were something else. I wonder if they played hard defense? Formation was a straight 4-5-1 (MC-DMC-MC). The entire team was very very deep in the sequences shown. And when they started to counter there was just no stopping them. Since I play a normal approach and low pressure I rarely got any problems with counters, so it was a bit surprising.

Anyway, I think I made the right call making very few small changes. Changed to short passing and cut the off-side trap (never really a good idea against an equal or better opponent, what you gain (stop a few attacks) is not worth it in relation to what you risk (give up a goal or two), higher risk than reward). And I also noticed clearly from the stats in leg 1 that he was going down one of my flanks. I changed the order pre-game but let the formation be until the game started, then in the 1st minute and pulled out a player to take care of that flank. Think I was up 2-0 before he noticed it... Going down a flank that is shut will cost you.