Introduction
In a recent encounter between the U23 teams of the USA and Morocco, held in Spain, spectators were treated to a fascinating display of football. The match was a testament to the unique philosophies and player development strategies that characterize both national teams.
Observations from the Match
One particular aspect that stood out was the USA U23 team’s approach when building from the back or possessing the ball in the middle third. After a series of short passes, they often seemed to lose patience, resorting to a long ball. A similar pattern was observed when progressing to the final third with short passes, where many players appeared to lose patience, making hasty decisions that resulted in loss of possession.
Expert Analysis
We turned to Simo Idrissi, our analyst and expert in soccer coaching, who also boasts a long journey as a soccer player. We asked him to shed light on why our players always seem to be in a hurry to pass the ball when options are not available.
Simo Idrissi shared his insights: “The opportunities created by the US U23 were smart and well-executed both physically and tactically. However, Don, you pointed out a few areas that the US U23 should evaluate later. While we can’t overlook the pressure on the players, there were instances where they could have taken a moment to reassess the game. Understanding when and why Morocco was pressing, and their strategy to fall back and defend, is crucial. This behavior started before Morocco scored and continued throughout the game. Nevertheless, this friendly match provides valuable insights for the coach on areas of improvement.”
“In such situations, it might be more beneficial for the players to reset the event. By maintaining possession and restarting the pattern, they can create solutions and make the opponent’s defense more predictable. In fact, when a team possesses the ball for a longer time, the opponents often lose patience and press with more players, thereby opening up more spaces. This is a tactical advantage that teams should seek to exploit.”
The Importance of Technique
Idrissi further emphasized the importance of technique in overcoming pressure. A player’s technique, he explained, is a combination of their skills, decision-making abilities, and emotional intelligence, all honed through past experiences. When more spaces open up, the team can utilize physical attributes, such as speed, to their advantage.
Conclusion
“If players simply pass the ball five or six times and then launch a long ball, the attack can become predictable and easily countered by the opposition,” Idrissi warned. “Therefore, the key is to keep the ball, patiently look for penetration opportunities, and if blocked, bring the ball back and restart the attack. Whether it’s from the wings or the center, if the path is blocked, bring the ball back to the first third, wait for the opponent to press, and then rebuild.”