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| England Team (theguardian.com) |
Sunday (27/3), England appeared to hit the militants and spartan German world champion with a score of 2-3 at the Olympia Stadium, Berlin. Behind two goals ahead, followed by Jack Butland injury ahead of Toni Kroos scored at the end of the first half, England was able to get up and catch up with goals from Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, before winning the game through a header from Eric Dier at the end of the match.
This victory only happens in a friendly match indeed, but this was a right moment to assess the readiness of England in the preparations ahead of the European Cup 2016 in France.
Several points need to be seen from this victory, especially, how the England and Roy Hodgson appears spartan and very sharp when attacking with speed.
There are some holes in the back line, slightly understandable because the quartet of defenders, too, is a new composition. Danny Rose just starting debut. The duo Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill are also rare pairing in England, because usually, Hodgson plays Phil Jagielka and John Stones with the system of rotation.
Plus, England is goalkeeping crisis right now. But two important things that can be highlighted from the British victory over Germany last weekend is the speed and flexibility in formation over the field.
Despite the absence of Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott summoned controversy, something that deserves the outstanding credit is the ability of England to change the strategy of the team during the transition from offense and defense. Primarily, England brilliant ability to exploit the right side of German in the right defender post filled by Emre Can.
Can is a good player if you play in the middle. He was dominant as a midfielder expertly set the tempo and have the capable capability to pass the ball.
When mounted at right-back, automatically it was futile. And it was put to good use by Duo Danny, Rose, and Welbeck. Besides, there are some important things to be observed as a provision enjoying England in the European Cup performances in the middle of this year.
Speed
Speed will not be useful at all in football, if executed without the right tactics and the right moment. But, at the England squad projected to European Cup, the speed can be a deadly weapon that will sting the opponent very hard. One of the evidence is a Jamie Vardy backheel goal started with Nathaniel Clyne puncture on the left side of the German defense.
German Blitzkrieg style, which, unfortunately, done perfectly by England is absolute proof that the most overrated team in Europe is starting to show his strength when given chances to score through a quick counter-attack scheme.
Seeing the shadow squad composition that will be brought Hodgson middle of the year, there are a few names that could be projected to show British tactical and quick.
From the back post, if you are ready to play with fast counter-attack that stung, there are some fast wing-back that ready to put into the core squad, such Clyne at the right post and Rose at left back. For backup, there is still Kyle Walker on the right-hand post.
For a central defender, the name John Stones and Chris Smalling is the best option. Stones comfortable with the ball and Smalling pretty sturdy as a rock. Stones capability to pass the ball is essential starting a fast attack when to drain ball from below.
Advance to the middle sector, the name of Dele Alli, Danny Welbeck, and Ross Barkley could be put forward to play in a 4-2-3-1 scheme; the composition contains pivot midfielder Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier, that can be overlaid alternately by Fabian Delph or James Milner.
In the three attacking midfielders, flexibly Welbeck can play on the wing or as a center forward would greatly help the transition formations such as England against the Germans. For backup, the name of Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be put forward.
On the front lines, to be mutually agreed upon, Harry Kane is a leading name that must be played as the main striker in France later. All round attackers typically. He could be anywhere to disrupt the pattern of compacting the opponent's defense. And when he received the ball in the penalty box, Kane is a sharp predator. Germany and Manuel Neuer had felt last weekend.
But shadow squad projection raises many dilemmas, and one of them, we discussed at the end of the article.
Tactical
Against Germany, England dropped by primary formation 4-2-3-1, a formation commonly used by most of the teams in the Premier League. But there is an interesting, in several attacks, especially when a counterattack, United transitions into a 4-4-2 and displays the counter-attacking style of Leicester City this season but use a tactical approach like Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. How could that be?
You see, the greatest strength Leicester this season is counter-attacks, mainly on the wings, through Riyad Mahrez, buttressed with a formidable midfield alongside N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater.
It was trying adapted well by Hodgson with instructions to raise Welbeck biting with Kane in a counter-attack, especially, when the backline or midfield was able to steal the ball from Germany midfielder.
Copied from Leicester is the density in midfield eager to keep the depth and compact. It was assisted by Welbeck, Kane and Dele Alli who regularly disrupt the German players in the back line when draining the ball. England did not perform with the high pressing system which is becoming a trend at the moment, on the contrary, Hodgson featuring England more tactical, fast and reliable.
While trying to emulate from his Simeone's Atletico, is the use of the players composition in the 4-4-2 scheme. At the time when Atletico won La Liga season 2013/2014, 4-4-2 Atletico often uses four central midfielder who is equally no winger type.
He played Tiago, Gabi / Mario Suarez in central, along with Arda Turan and Koke / Raul Garcia as a winger. Six players were none of the winger types, and it helps Atletico to play in midfield. Just like Leicester, promote density in midfield and keep compacting the defense, the difference is Leicester maximize the wing through Mahrez and Marc Albrighton.
When transformed into 4-4-2, two central midfielders filled by Dier and Henderson, while for wing post occupied by Lallana on the left side and Alli on the right. Welbeck automatic ride ahead accompanies Kane.
As a counterattack, Alli and Lallana into the middle in the final third of England attack while Clyne and Rose pushed up to fill the wing's position that left by two attacking midfielder. It often threatens Germany, particularly in counter-attack and when England launched an attack right after they steal the ball from midfield.
English play explosive in the game against Germany, and somehow, it was fun to watch. A squad contains a collection of players which in the league often mocked "tactical blind" but then be able to deliver the football with awesome tactical throughout 90 minutes is an own happiness.
In fact, if I may be honest, 4-2-3-1 shown by Hodgson in England teamsheet is an attempt camouflage. Maybe some guise to deceive Loew and his team which is always superior and world champion status. Because almost throughout the match, England did not appear with the formation.
There is no place for Wayne Rooney
One dilemma of the success of England hit Germany is a valid fact that England does not need a primary captain, Wayne Rooney. In 2016, Rooney did appear improved and gradually found his rhythm again with Manchester United before getting injured since February. But admittedly, quick and tactically England does not need Wayne Rooney.
At the forward position, English has players with better speed and performance in the league so far more consistent than Rooney. Kane will be the primary attacker, if he is absent, there is still Leicester City explosive striker Jamie Vardy.
And even if England want flexible regarding tactical, Hodgson can choose play Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge or Vardy on the wings in a 4-2-3-1 scheme. There is no gap to play Rooney in England's tactics projections for the future, at least, for the European Cup later.
Retreated to midfield, impose Rooney at number 10 like hold up the bright potential of a synonymous Dele Alli or Ross Barkley, who was enjoying the peak of their performance this season. The young players have clearly needs guidance on the field. They do not contain a strong winning mentality in the style of Manchester United, which is tattooed inside Rooney.
But reverse the score and win in Berlin over world champion Germany is little evidence, slowly but surely, England players mental will be lifted and could thrive better when supported by a capable tactical play.
The conclusion is, the England team in this era has a lot of capital that can provide maximum shock effect in the European Cup later. These players only need to maintain their level of the game in the league and focus on the maintenance of the conditions ahead of the European Cup performances.
At the Europeans scale, there are several teams with a tactical capability and excellent composition of the squad such as Germany, Italy and Spain. But, with a good tactical ability and executes correctly, the speed of British young people can give a fairy tale that very good for the British in the European Cup this year.
The challenge is only one, consistent play. As a fan of a club in Premier League, it seems reasonable I expect a lot to the squad that stamped overrated.
Because I used to choose England in a big tournament, they often appeared sluggish and played like garbage. Surprise victory in Berlin and Hodgson success tactics surpass the world champion is a good sign.
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