1-Chelsea used left wing more. Because Werner and
Havertz made runs to the left wing. Alonso also contributed to the attack from
behind. That's why Villareal put more emphasis on defending their right wing
(1). While the game was played in this area, Ziyech and Odoi tried to enter the
penalty area on the other wing. Chelsea sent long passes to the other wing,
asking Ziyech and Odoi to beat their opponents with their individual skills (2).
2-Villareal preferred 4-4-2 formation, but while
Chelsea was attacking, 1 more player was included in the defence. For example,
while Chelsea was attacking from the right wing, 4 defenders were in front of
the penalty area, while Moreno in the left midfield came to the wing and played
as a left-back (1). Thus, there were 5 players in defence. The other 3 players
in the midfield approached the centre (2). When Chelsea turned the attack in
the other direction, this time Pino did what Moreno did so Villarreal played in
5-3-2 formation in their own half.
3-While Werner was running towards the left wing,
Albiol came with him. Werner's aim was to go to the wing to create space for
his teammates in the penalty area and in front of it. Albiol's constant
presence with him made part of the plan work, but Kovacic and Kante did not
head towards the penalty area and that’s why space was not used (1). Also,
Capoue came to the centre of defence, defending Albiol's territory while Albiol
defends Werner one-on-one (2). This resulted in less defenceless area than
expected.
4-Villarreal made 2 mistakes in conceding goal. First,
although Foyt followed Alonso, Albiol also approached Alonso. Albiol was in a
better position to defend Alonso, but Foyt should have moved into the box
instead of going to Alonso because Albiol who should have been in the box
wasn't there (1). The second mistake was that although Pedraza saw Ziyech that
he was close to the goalpost, he moved very slowly and Ziyech scored easily.
Pedraza should have gotten ahead of Ziyech and cleared the ball from the
penalty area (2).
5-When many teams play with 3-4-2-1 formation, they
expect players on the sides of the midfield to be on the wings only and
contribute to the attack and defence on the wings. Players behind the striker
usually try to be effective in the centre by entering the penalty area (1). But
at Chelsea, the situation is different. Let's look at his and Ziyech's
positions as Alonso crosses. After that they met at the corner of the penalty area
and changed places. This time Ziyech crossed, Alonso hit (2). Although the
players are different at Chelsea, the offensive efficiency same thanks to the
change of duties.
6-When right and left centre-backs go forward, an area
emerges between centre-backs. Moreno and Rudiger are almost in the same place
at the beginning of the position where Mendy made a mistake. However, Moreno,
who reacted quickly after the turnover, saw that Zouma was behind and headed to
the penalty area between Rudiger and Zouma. He shot at the right time but
didn't score.
7-With Estupinan coming into the game in the second
half, Villarreal started to be more active on offense. They attacked more
because they needed a goal. Sometimes Estupinan started playing as a striker,
sometimes Pino. When they went towards the penalty area, the 2 players in the
forward went the other way and there were 3 players in the forward (1).
Especially after crosses, when the ball went to the other wing, they ensured
that the position continued (2).
8-Rudiger and Christensen made mistakes on
Villarreal's goal. Rudiger went to press Moreno despite Kovacic outside the
penalty area. Moreno sent the ball to the empty area in the box. Dia, who went
there, gave the ball back to Moreno and scored the goal (1). This time, space
appeared in the centre as Christensen was heading towards Dia. Also, Rudiger after
going outside the penalty area to press Moreno, he did not come back and caused
Moreno to easily score (2).
