Tactics
In the heart of the gym, a group had gathered around a weight bench. Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Reece James, and Jadon Sancho were engaging in a friendly competition.
"Come on, Lewis, you got this!" Duffy cheered as Dunk prepared for a set.
Dunk smirked, gripping the barbell. "Watch and learn, Shane. I'll show you how it's done."
Sancho couldn't resist chiming in, despite his age he had found himself bonding with the senior players quickly. "If you manage this, maybe we'll let you pick the music next time, Dunk."
James laughed, adding, "I hope you like his taste, Jadon. Dunk has this."
Nearby, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Akanji, Federico Valverde, Nicolò Barella, and Rodri were engaged in a circuit of resistance training and core stability exercises.
"Think you can out-plank me, Matthijs?" Rodri challenged, dropping into a plank position.
De Ligt, who had been taking a mometary break, immediately joined him. "Let's see who drops first."
On the other side of the gym, Jack Grealish, Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, and Bruno Saltor were going through a series of agility drills.
"Watch this, lads," Grealish said, starting the drill with a burst of speed. His quick feet darted through the cones, earning a round of applause from the others.
"Not bad." Rice said with a grin, he took off, determined to outdo Grealish.
As the competition heated up, the players formed a circle around the two racers. "Go, Rice! Go, Grealish!" they chanted.
After the intense drills, the players gathered for a quick water break. Oliver Bartlett and Ivan Ortega walked around, offering tips and encouragement.
"You're looking strong," Bartlett said, clapping Akanji on the back. "Keep pushing those limits."
Ortega, adjusting a few cones for the next drill, called out, "Stay hydrated, everyone. It's going to get tougher."
Suddenly, Rice had an idea. Grabbing his water bottle, he splashed Grealish, who was standing nearby. "Cool off!" he laughed.
Grealish, grinning mischievously, retaliated, and soon enough, a full-blown water fight erupted. Bottles were emptied, and laughter echoed through the gym as players ducked and dodged the water.
De Ligt and Akanji teamed up against Valverde and Barella, who were trying to douse each other.
Valverde, laughing, managed to retaliate, drenching de Ligt in the process.
Meanwhile, Julian Nagelsmann observed the chaos with a smile. "Alright, alright, enough of that. Back to work!" he called out, his voice firm but amused.
As the players returned to their stations, Dr. Joaquin approached Sancho. "Everything okay, Jadon? Any tightness or discomfort?"
Sancho shook his head, still grinning from the water fight. "Nah, doc, I'm good. Just having some fun."
Meanwhile, one of the performance analysts, was discussing the upcoming drill with Bartlett. "I think we should focus on the transitional play and our passing movements."
Bartlett nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Let's get them moving through those phases."
As the players settled back into their stations, Julian Nagelsmann gathered them around for a quick tactical briefing. The energy from the water fight still lingered, but everyone knew it was time to refocus.
"Alright, everyone, bring it in," Nagelsmann called, his authoritative yet approachable demeanor commanding attention. "Great work so far. I love the energy, but let's channel that into our drills now."
The players formed a semicircle around him, attentively listening.
"We've been doing well with our passing, but I want us to elevate our game. I've noticed some of you prefer long balls, others short, quick passes. Both have their place, but we need to be more cohesive in our approach."
He glanced at Barella and Rodri. "Barella, Rodri, you guys are fantastic at distributing the ball. I want you to think about when it's best to play those longer passes and when to keep it short and quick. Timing and decision-making are crucial."
Nagelsmann then turned to the defenders. "Manuel, Lewis, Shane, Matthijs – your long balls can be a weapon, but make sure they're not just hopeful punts. Look for our wingers or full-backs making runs. Precision over distance."
He then outlined the drill he wanted to run. "We're going to set up a passing drill that emphasizes both short and long passes. We'll start with quick, short passes in tight spaces and then transition to long balls aimed at targets. This will help us practice decision-making and execution under pressure."
The other coaches quickly set up cones and markers on the pitch, creating zones for the drill.
The drill began with a series of quick, short passes in a confined space, encouraging players to think fast and move even faster. Players paired up and began moving the ball rapidly between them, with shouts of encouragement and direction filling the air.
"Quick feet, Jack! Keep it moving, Lautaro!" Nagelsmann called out, walking among the players, observing and giving feedback.
After a few minutes, the drill transitioned. Players now had to receive the ball in the tight space, control it, and then look up to find a target for a long pass. The targets were placed at varying distances to mimic real match scenarios.
"Good control, Shane. Now, find Jadon on the wing!" Bartlett shouted as Duffy looked up and sent a precise long ball to Sancho, who had made a run down the sideline.
Valverde demonstrated his exceptional vision, receiving a ball from Barella and then launching a perfectly weighted pass to Grealish, who controlled it smoothly and continued the play.
After several rounds, Nagelsmann gathered the team again. "Excellent work, everyone. Remember, the key is not just in making the pass but in making the right pass at the right time. Keep your heads up, communicate, and trust your instincts."
Nagelsmann wrapped up the session with a motivational note. "We're building something special here. Keep this intensity and focus, and we'll be unstoppable. Now, let's cool down and get ready for our tactical session this afternoon."
As the players transitioned into their cool-down routine, they gathered in small groups, chatting and stretching.
Grealish leaned over to Rodri as they stretched their hamstrings. "Rodri, mate, we need to hit up a club soon. Show us where the best mamacitas are at."
Rodri laughed, shaking his head. "I might know a few good spots. I'll sort something out."
Nearby, Erling Haaland was chatting with Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Akanji. Grealish, unable to resist, called out to him. "Hey, Erling, you ever been told you look like a Viking? With that hair and all."
Haaland grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I get that a lot. People like to say I probably sail on a longship."
Grealish's face scrunched up in confusion. "A longship? What's that?"
Matthijs de Ligt burst out laughing. "You don't know what a longship is?"
Grealish shook his head. "Nah, never heard of it. Someone fill me in."
De Ligt, still chuckling, explained, "A longship is a type of boat used by the Vikings."
Grealish raised an eyebrow. "You mean like those boats with the dragon heads on the front?"
Haaland nodded. "Exactly."
Grealish laughed, finally understanding. "Got it. So, when we go out, are you going to show up in a longship, Erling?"
Haaland grinned. "Maybe I will."
The players gathered back in the meeting room after a quick lunch, their spirits high from the morning session. Nagelsmann stood at the front, a tactical board behind him covered in magnets and lines representing formations and player movements.
"Alright," Nagelsmann began, his tone serious. "Great work this morning. I can see you're getting the gist of my philosophy. Now, I want to go over our movements in detail, especially how we transition from defense to attack and vice versa."
"One of the key aspects of our play is how we manipulate space and force the opposition into uncomfortable positions. It's not just about where you are on the pitch, but how your movements affect the entire game."
Nagelsmann moved the magnets representing the center-backs and full-backs. "When we're in possession, I want a back three of two center backs and one fullback, our back three provides the foundation for one of our full-backs to push high and wide."
He pointed to the midfield magnets. "Our midfielders will often rotate positions to create confusion and open passing lanes. For example, when a defensive midfielder drops deep to receive the ball, our other midfielders should push higher, creating vertical channels for passing. This constant movement makes it difficult for the opposition to settle into their defensive shape."
Nagelsmann then demonstrated with the magnets how the midfielders should move in and out of these channels. "This positional play is essential. It creates triangles and diamonds all over the pitch, giving the ball carrier multiple options at all times. It's not just about keeping possession, but progressing it in a way that pulls the opposition out of position."
He moved the magnets again, this time focusing on the attackers. "Our wingers have the freedom to drift inside, but it's not aimless wandering. When you cut inside, you need to be aware of where our full-backs are. If the full-back is making an overlapping run, you drift inside to pull the defender with you, creating space for the full-back. If the full-back stays back, you stretch the play wide to give our midfielders a target."
Nagelsmann pointed to the striker magnet. "Our striker's movements are crucial as well. When the ball is with the wingers or full-backs, you should be making runs that either pull center-backs out of position or get you into goal-scoring areas. Timing is everything. A well-timed run can break the entire defensive line."
He highlighted the importance of communication. "Constant communication is key. You need to be aware of your teammates' positions and the opposition's movements. Shout out instructions, call for the ball, let each other know when to press and when to hold."
Nagelsmann concluded with a focus on mentality. "Our strength lies in our ability to adapt and think quickly. We're not just playing a system; we're using it to control the game and dictate the tempo. Trust in the process, trust in your teammates, and always be thinking one step ahead."
Nagelsmann, took a moment to gather his thoughts before moving on to the next topic. He adjusted the magnets on the board to set up the team in an attacking formation, showing a back three, a midfield trio, and a front three with the full-back pushing high.
"Great questions, everyone. Now, let's talk about one of the most crucial aspects of our game, setting traps. Pressing isn't just about running towards the ball. It's about doing it smartly, forcing the opposition into making mistakes, and capitalizing on those mistakes."
He pointed to the board, where the magnets represented the team in their attacking formation. "Let's start with our setup when we're pressing high. As I said, we form a back three with two center-backs and one full-back."
Nagelsmann moved the magnets representing the midfielders. "Our midfield trio is key here. The central midfielder drops slightly deeper to provide cover and options for recycling possession, while the other two midfielders push higher to support the press."
He then highlighted the front three and the advanced full-back. "Our front three and the advanced full-back are responsible for initiating the press. The striker leads the line, pressing the opposition's center-backs and cutting off passing lanes to their defensive midfielder. Our wingers press the full-backs, while the advanced full-back supports the press on the winger's side, ensuring we maintain width and pressure."
Nagelsmann used a marker to illustrate how the players should move. "The key here is coordination and timing. When the striker presses, the wingers and advanced full-back move in sync to cut off the easy passing options. This forces the opposition to play risky passes or clear the ball under pressure."
He then shifted the magnets to demonstrate a typical pressing trap. "One of our pressing traps involves luring the opposition into playing the ball wide. When their center-back has the ball, our striker positions himself to cut off the central passing lane, forcing the ball to the full-back. As soon as the ball is played wide, our winger and full-back aggressively press the receiving full-back, while our other midfielder shifts to cover the nearest central passing option."
Nagelsmann looked around the room, ensuring the players were following along. "The goal is to create a situation where the opposition has no safe options. They're either forced to play a risky pass that we can intercept or clear the ball, giving us possession in a favorable position."
He moved the magnets again, showing the team in a defensive shape. "When we lose the ball, our immediate objective is to apply pressure and win it back quickly. This is where our compact defensive structure comes in. The back three shifts in to form a solid defensive line, while the midfield trio compresses the space between the lines, making it difficult for the opposition to find gaps."
"Communication is crucial during pressing. Everyone needs to be aware of their roles and responsibilities. The player closest to the ball applies immediate pressure, while the others position themselves to cut off passing lanes and support the press."
He then demonstrated how the team transitions from pressing to attacking. "When we win the ball back, we need to transition quickly. Our midfielders and forwards need to be ready to exploit the spaces left by the opposition. Quick, decisive passes can catch them off guard and create goal-scoring opportunities."
Nagelsmann pointed to specific areas on the board. "For instance, when we win the ball high up the pitch, our winger should immediately look to exploit the space behind the opposition's full-back. The striker makes a run into the box, while our advanced full-back supports from the wide position, providing a crossing option. Our pressing game is about intelligence and precision. It's not just about running hard but running smart."
Nagelsmann, seeing the players deeply engaged and understanding the pressing and trapping strategies, decided to delve into another topic.
"Alright, team, let's move on to positional play. This is what allows us to control the game and create scoring opportunities even against well-organized defenses."
He rearranged the magnets on the board, setting up the team in their typical formation. "In possession, our shape is dynamic. We want to create numerical advantages in key areas of the pitch, constantly shifting to manipulate the opposition's shape."
He moved the magnets representing the wing-backs. "Our wing-backs are vital. They provide width and stretch the opposition horizontally. But their role is also to be versatile. When we're attacking down one flank, the opposite wing-back tucks in slightly to offer a passing option in the half-space or be ready for a quick switch of play."
Nagelsmann then turned his attention to the midfield duo. "Our double pivot in midfield has to be intelligent in their positioning. One player stays slightly deeper to provide defensive cover and recycle possession, while the other pushes forward to support the attack. This creates a fluid 3-2-5 or 3-3-4 shape in the attacking phase."
"Creating triangles and diamonds on the pitch gives the ball carrier multiple passing options. For example, when the ball is with one of our center-backs, the wing-back, a midfielder, and a winger should position themselves to form a triangle around the ball. This not only provides passing options but also makes it difficult for the opposition to press effectively."
He then emphasized another concept "A third-man run is when a player makes a run to receive the ball from a teammate who is receiving a pass. It's about anticipating the play and creating space. For example, when our winger cuts inside with the ball, the striker can make a run to pull the defender away, while the central midfielder makes a run into the space created."
Nagelsmann used magnets to show an attacking scenario. "Let's say our right wing-back has the ball and is moving forward. The right winger cuts inside, dragging the opposition left-back with him. The central midfielder on that side makes a run into the half-space, receiving a pass from the wing-back. Meanwhile, the striker positions himself between the center-backs, ready for a through ball or a cross."
He looked around the room, ensuring the players were absorbing the concepts. "This fluidity and positional play are what make us unpredictable and difficult to defend against. It's not just about individual movements, but how those movements create space and opportunities for teammates."
Nagelsmann then touched on the importance of switching play. "Switching the play quickly from one flank to the other can catch the opposition off guard and exploit the spaces left by their shifting defense. Let's visualize a scenario where we are attacking down the left. Our left wing-back pushes high and wide, the left winger cuts inside, and the striker drags the center-back closest to our right side out of position. The ball is then switched quickly to the right winger, who has acres of space to drive forward and deliver a cross or take on the defender."
Nagelsmann finished his explanation, and the players started to buzz with questions and comments. Declan Rice raised his hand first, always eager to clarify tactical details.
"Boss, about the switching play quickly. When we switch, what should be our primary focus? Is it to immediately look for an attacking option or to maintain possession until the right opportunity?"
Nagelsmann nodded, appreciating the question. "Great question, Declan. The primary focus should be to exploit the space created by the switch. If an immediate attacking option is available, go for it. But if not, maintain possession and keep probing. The key is to keep the opposition moving and create those gaps.
Reece James had a query. "Regarding our high press, if the opposition manages to bypass our front line, what's the immediate plan for the midfield and defense?"
Nagelsmann adjusted the magnets to demonstrate. "Reece, if they bypass our front line, the midfielders need to compact the space quickly, and the defenders should step up to challenge the ball carrier."
Matthijs then asked a question. "About the third-man runs, what's the best way for us to coordinate those runs without getting in each other's way?"
Nagelsmann repositioned the magnets. "Coordination comes from understanding each other's movements and constant communication. The player with the ball should signal the intended pass, and the others need to be aware of their positioning. Practice is key. The more we do it in training, the more natural it will become in games."
Haaland, with a mischievous grin, asked, "Boss, can we have a special celebration dance routine after we score from a pressing trap? Maybe acting like we're chopping down trees?"
Grealish immediately latched onto the idea. "I'm in! We could have Erling lead it since he looks the part."
Nagelsmann laughed, shaking his head. "If you score, you can celebrate however you want, as long as it's within the rules. But let's focus on making those pressing traps work first."
Barella, focused on the positional play, asked, "Coach, when both of our wing-backs push high, what's the best way to cover the space they leave behind?"
Nagelsmann shifted the magnets again. "One of the midfielders should cover the space. It's a fluid system, so whoever is closest and most suitable for the role should drop back."
Lewis Dunk, asked about adapting to opponents. "Boss, if we come up against a team that's really good at bypassing presses and staying compact, how do we adjust?"
Nagelsmann adjusted the magnets to reflect a more compact setup. "Lewis, against such teams, we may need to be more patient and selective with our pressing. Focus on winning the ball in midfield and use our positional play to break them down. Adapting on the fly and reading the game are vital. We might also switch to a different formation that gives us better control."
Shane Duffy, with a twinkle in his eye, couldn't resist adding some humor. "And if all else fails, we just park our bus in front of their goal, right?"
The room filled with laughter again, but Nagelsmann responded with a grin. "Only if we paint it blue and white and put Brighton logos on it, Shane."