Unveiling the Champions League's Tactic: Dortmund's Mastery Over Atalanta
The Art of Disruption: How Dortmund's Strategic Runs Undid Atalanta
In the thrilling world of the UEFA Champions League, Borussia Dortmund's recent victory over Atalanta was a testament to the power of tactical brilliance. As Niko Kovač, the Dortmund coach, succinctly put it, his team's success was a result of hard work and a well-executed plan. But here's where it gets intriguing - the key to their triumph lay in two strategic elements that disrupted Atalanta's man-marking and took control of the game.
The Power of Passing from the Back
Dortmund's passing game from the back was a sight to behold. With 26 successful long passes, they outdid themselves compared to any previous match in the campaign. The graphic below showcases how their goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, and defenders delivered longer balls, finding yellow shirts higher up the pitch. Ten of these passes came from centre-back Ramy Bensebaini alone, a testament to his pivotal role in the team's success.
Linebreaking Runs: The Secret Weapon
Dortmund's players attempted a staggering 63 line-breaking runs beyond Atalanta's defensive line, the most in any previous Champions League game this season. This tactic was specifically designed to disrupt Atalanta's man-marking system. By creating a 4v3 situation in the build-up, Dortmund could get the ball to a free player, who would then play it forward to the front line, where opposite movements would open up the defence.
According to Odilon Kossounou, Atalanta's right-sided centre-back, this was the crux of their difficulties. He noted that Atalanta played a lot of vertical balls and moved a lot, which disrupted their man-marking strategy.
The Magic of Opposite Movements
The second graphic illustrates how Dortmund's opposite movements helped them score their two goals. By dragging defenders out of position, they created gaps and filled the box, as Steve Holland, UEFA Technical Observer, pointed out. This clever tactic ensured that the home attackers were always in the right place to finish off the moves.
Coaching Reflection: Creating Space for Others
Steve Holland emphasizes the importance of unselfish runs to create space and disrupt opposition defences. This skill is crucial for elite youth players, as it fosters a team-first mentality. Holland explains that for there to be a space for someone to arrive in, someone must run away from where the ball is going. This principle is fundamental to the Champions League stage, where team challenges are at their most intense.
To develop this skill, Holland recommends drills like 5v5 and 8v8, which can be used together or in isolation. These drills focus on creating space for others in small spaces, allowing for repetition of the fundamentals. As players progress, they can add offside rules and more complex situations, challenging their understanding of opposite movements and passing details.
In the end, Dortmund's victory over Atalanta was a masterpiece of tactical execution, where passing from the back, linebreaking runs, and opposite movements combined to create a disruptive force on the pitch. It's a reminder that in the Champions League, every move matters, and the art of disruption can be the key to unlocking victory.
