quote:
I don't disagree but from the times I've watched Dortmund it seems that the midfield and backline were really struggling to press to the level that system absolutely demands, from a physical and quickness standpoint.

People talk about losing forwards because people like to focus on forwards but the real difference from what I've seen is midfield and defense.

They are all a step too slow in reacting and it makes the whole tactics often look like desperation pressing from a side trailing in added time.

Since it's pretty much all experienced players under Klopp in those positions, one wonders if there's some mental/physical wear and tear involved and that it's not a system better for 20-25 year olds than even players their mid to late 20s.

Maybe this isn't the case at all but although Dortmund were snake bit by injuries at times this season, when I've watched it's just as often been a midfielder not pressing quickly enough to cut off an angle and/or then Subotic and Hummels arriving a half step late for a desperation step in and getting turned for jailbreak after jailbreak etc etc that's been the issue.

The forwards are worth talking about, because they haven't scored many goals this season (I thought Immobile would be a huge signing for them), but I think you're on to something with wear and tear in this system.

Klopp has tinkered with formations and lineups this season, which might be evidence that he knows his bread-and-butter isn't working like it used to, but hasn't figured out how else to use players meant to work within his system. He even remarked in his press conference that he was no longer the perfect manager for Dortmund.

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Posted by wm72

Brooklyn

Member since Mar 2010

7803 posts

Posted on 4/16/15 at 3:50 pm to nvasil1

quote:
he forwards are worth talking about, because they haven't scored many goals this season (I thought Immobile would be a huge signing for them), but I think you're on to something with wear and tear in this system.

Klopp has tinkered with formations and lineups this season, which might be evidence that he knows his bread-and-butter isn't working like it used to, but hasn't figured out how else to use players meant to work within his system. He even remarked in his press conference that he was no longer the perfect manager for Dortmund.

Thanks. I didn't know he had commented on it.

Some of that is a little concerning if you're a huge club thinking you want Klopp to take over a lineup of 25-30 yo galacticos you'll purchase.

It is certainly a good point about forwards scoring goals but I was intending more to say that the breakdown behind them may be much more the issue.

Against Juve, for example, Immobile and Aubameyang only touched to ball infrequently when the dropped to play little passes 25 meters out with a wall of defenders in front of them when Juve conceded possession. The press never resulted in getting these guys into open spaces, which is what they're actually good at.

This post was edited on 4/16/15 at 4:01 pm

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