OVERVIEW
Newcastle controlled the game majorly with ball possession and numerous attacks. Brighton, on the other hand, had a few phases of play where they had the upper hand in mainly counters. Brighton could not play their natural game (playing out from back) due to the high press from the Newcastle players. However, the Magpies couldn't make it count as they dropped 2 crucial points.
LINEUPS:
In Possession
Shape up in a 4-2-4 system. #32 is more wide and forward alongside Gordon.
In transitions (middle third), the fullback, winger and centre-mid combination was highly used (side triangles)
In the final third, Longstaff joined Isak in the box
Putting numbers in the box.
Going forward as a team.
Build Up
Livramento takes a more offenisve position. Hall tucks is as the LCB support
Bruno and Longstaff act as the double pivot while in their half
Anderson is higher up the pitch for 2nd phase balls.
Long balls are also quite valid for Newcastle
Transitional play
In the middle third, most of the plays were down the flanks.
Heavily dependent on the triangular link-ups of Liveramento, Longstaff & Murphy on the right side with Hall, Anderson and Gordon on the left.
Fluid positioning and combination play were crucial among these linkups.
For instance, Liveramento inverted as a midfielder, allowing Murphy to come short, attracting his marker. This created a space for Longstaff to run in behind the RB where a direct ball from the CB is delivered.
The Final Third
As soon as the ball enters the final third, Newcastle push their men forward to increase the number of players in and around the box. (high pressure)
Longstaff joins Isak in the box.
Out of Possession
5-3-2 system. Hall tucks back as the side CB. Anderson covers the winger, Brighton loves to cross crossfield
Press very high in the final third to retrieve the ball.
Gumareis presses high up the pitch with Isak.
Man marking and High press when opponent goal kicks.
SET PIECE ANALYSIS
Attacking Corner:
Possible taker: Anthony Gordon (Right Foot Inswing/Outswing)
Delivery Target: centre, far post
A weighted cross is preferred.
Players make late runs towards the 6-yard box. They don't start at the edge.
Two players are kept at the edge of the penalty area in case of counters.
Defensive Corner:
Man-to-man marking tactic used.
Clever movement creates space inside the box for strikers to attack the ball.
No positional discipline inside the box.
All 11 players are in the penalty area.
Attacking Free-kick:
Possible taker: Lewis Hall (Left foot) or Anthony Gordon (Right foot).
Early balls near the first post.
Burn, Krafth, Longstaff, and Isak attack for the ball. Bruno is placed just behind for any 2nd phase balls.
STRENGTHS
Isak is the main threat. His attacking awareness is top-class, especially his early runs behind the defenders. Being pacy with good dribbling, he can easily take on defenders on a 1v1 and drift wide at times.
Bruno Gumareis - He is the orchestrator of the midfield: great composure and close control to quickly get out of tight situations. A wide range of passing clubbed with accuracy makes him lethal in those flank switches. Off the ball, he presses high up.
WEAKNESS
The centre-backs (especially Burn) tend to follow the striker till midfield while marking. This created ample space for the wingers to make inward runs. A direct long ball over the top and the Newcastle defence would open up.
Newcastle could not hold the fast counters De Zerbi's men threw at them. They had a direct fast-paced approach. Newcastle are quite organised when on possession - but when they lost the ball, their tracking ball and defensive transitions were not too good. Brighton created many opportunities via these quick breaks, but could not capitalize.
CREDIT: I do not own any of the original match clippings. The match clipping is taken from the official streaming of the game. I have used Play by Metrica Sports to telestrate and do my analysis. The analysis is completely my own work.
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