Premier League clubs race to adopt rugby-style tactics

MU fans could not have imagined that there would come a time when their team would have to apply rugby tactics.

English football has seen a wave of “Pep-ball” since Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City. The traditional, direct style of play has gradually disappeared, replaced by smooth passing, exploiting space and delicate “half-spaces”.

Force the opponent to throw the ball in

Yet at the highest level, football is nothing less than an arms race, where multi-million pound contracts and sophisticated tactical calculations are used to outmaneuver rivals.

A trend returning to the Premier League is the emergence of “muscular giants”, making it easier for teams to deploy direct play. Even Guardiola is not left out, sometimes using up to five centre-backs at the same time to overwhelm the physicality of his opponents.

Rugby takes close calls very seriously.

But the most notable thing is that the latest tactical trend does not originate in football, but in rugby. Paris Saint-Germain tried this trick in the European Super Cup against Tottenham last week. Right from the first kick-off, midfielder Vitinha surprised the commentators by kicking the ball straight to the corner flag, giving the opponent a chance to take a goal kick. One commentator exclaimed: “Never seen this before. And probably never will again.”

Yet just three days later, many Premier League teams followed suit. Newcastle and Crystal Palace also used the tactic against Aston Villa and Chelsea.

The difference is that instead of letting the ball go out to the sideline as a goal kick, they proactively kick the ball out of the sideline near the flagpole, giving the opponent a chance to get a throw-in. And then, as soon as the player is about to throw the ball, the whole team immediately pushes up to put pressure, pressing right on the opponent's field to win the ball early.

PSG coach Enrique revealed that he learned this move from Lyon, considering it a way to close in and suffocate opponents right from the start of the match. The commentator for the Super Cup also commented: "I think Vitinha must have thought he was playing rugby, because it looked like a rugby union restart."

Every family plays rugby

According to the Daily Mail , in the opening round of Premier League matches, the “rugby kick” tactic was used 31 times out of 44 kick-offs – or 70%. Of these, Arsenal, Man United and Man City all deployed it, with only four teams – Chelsea, Aston Villa, Wolves and Leeds – failing to take a long shot from kick-off.

Even when the ball is passed back to the goalkeeper or defender after the kick-off, it is immediately kicked out wide to a fast winger or advanced full-back.

Man Utd had an exchange and learning session with Foxy Bingo rugby club in 2014.

Just two seasons ago, the use of long balls early in the game – once the default in traditional English football – was down to 55%. Last season, Brentford were masters of this tactic, scoring within 40 seconds of kick-off in three consecutive games.

The principle behind it is very simple: gain position, put pressure on your opponent before they have even started the game with high intensity pressing, and if they clear the ball, you still regain control.

It is unclear how long this trend will last, but it is certain that in the dressing rooms of every Premier League club right now, tactical coaches are plotting moves and counter-moves like a super-complex game of chess.

Source: https://znews.vn/cac-clb-premier-league-dua-nhau-theo-chien-thuat-kieu-bong-bau-duc-post1579007.html