We Meet Again : Villarreal Opposition Analysis
Unai Emery after being sacked by Arsenal on 29th November,2019 is set to return this time in yellow. The Villarreal coach will be facing a side he once coached to reach a final in 2018/19. It of course will be a mouth-watering clash with so many emotions. Here I will dissect this Emery’s side and what Arsenal can do.
Analyzing Villarreal
In-Possession (4–4–2)
In the 1st Phase Villarreal tend to have their Full-Backs high and wide — thereby stretching the width of the pitch. Also, the Full-Backs being good in the air means if the opposition presses the CBs and the keeper high, chipped balls from Asenjo (GK) are hence common.
Eibar, who have the most pressures in the attacking 3rd in LaLiga (via FBref) presses Villarreal man to man. As I said, the Full-Backs position themselves wide and Manu Trigueros in the halfspace. This grants a 2v1 numerical superiority against the opposite FB.
In the above image also notice the staggered shape of the DMs — Capoue and Parejo. Both DMs have the tendency to space out when building up from the back. The DM with close proximity acts as the lone pivot and the ball-far DM almost acts as an advanced pivot(Capoue in particular).
The single pivot (Parejo in examples) can draw Wingers narrow. This will then open the wide channel and then overloads can be created higher up the pitch against the opposition CMs and/or FBs. The wider channel opening implies that the CM — Manu Trigueros and advanced DM— Capoue position themselves in the half-space channel in order to act as support to their FB.
The data corresponds to my thoughts as well. Its quite visible in the below graphs — the split Centre-Backs and wide Full-Backs. Notice the yellow circles wider illustrating how good the Full Backs are in the air. Graphs made by Soumyajit.
Since the backline stays deep, Atleti which were pressing in a 4–4–2 shape commit their CFs higher up. The 2 CFs press Villarreal CBs and the FBs position themselves wide. In the below image, Pedraza and Foyth are in their respective wide channel. Capoue is acting as the pivot and has effectively forced a jump from one of the Atleti player from their 2nd line.
The pivot who is lower (due to the staggered shape) offers support to the backline and often drops to create a back 3 and create a 3v2 against the first line of press. The advanced pivot as explained before can successfully force a jump from the opposition and/or can draw the CMs narrow. This way the half-space channel is open (if CMs drawn narrow). The potential threat in these scenarios is Manu Trigueros — with his excellent vision and beautiful technique in condensed spaces he becomes a potential threat for the opposition.
Another interesting theme in their play is when their 2 CFs higher up the pitch make opposite movements — the CF positioned higher slightly drops a bit and the other pushes high. This sort of interchange intends to expand the space in between the lines by one CF occupying the space and the other pins the backline and hence favoring penetration. Below is a video which easily illustrates some of their in-possession principles I have explained yet.
Defensive Transitions and Counter-Press
Villarreal don’t have an aggressive counter-pressing mechanism particularly when the ball is lost in the middle third. The CBs — Pau Torres and Raúl Albiol and a DM stabilize the rest-defense at the back. The presence of Parejo/Capoue higher allows Villarreal to compress the space if required as a protection on turnovers in the final third.
Offensive Transitions and Counter-Attacks
When the ball is won in the counter-press — its imperative to link the defense to the attack. Again, its Manu Trigueros’ excellence which makes this team dangerous. In the attack, the Nigerian Winger — Samuel Chukweze is a real threat in-behind. Chukweze scored against Barcelona in a similar fashion like I explained. Gerard Moreno and his counterpart Centre-Forward can make the opposite movements in dynamic space. These opposite movements become very lethal in dynamic space/phase as it tends to expand in-between the lines space. Another important thing is that when a CF runs in-behind the other splits laterally so as to increase the space for the on the ball CF. In the below video, Bacca runs and notice Gerard Moreno splitting which creates separation between the two Eibar CBs.
“You attack as well as you defend. You defend as well as you attack.”
Out of-Possession
They don’t have an aggressive pressing system (1st phase).The shape generally is a variation of a back four (4–4–2/4–2–4). The CFs press the CBs. This means using that either the opposite GK should be good on the ball or a back 3 becomes inevitable.
A back 3 grants an advantage to the opposition in the first phase (3v2). However, since Villarreal don’t commit too many players in their press their deep block/mid block becomes effective in nullifying central penetration and hence force the play out wide and try to win the ball by means of their wider Mid-Fielder — Trigueros and Chukwueze.
When the wider mid-fielder jumps to the the wider player on the ball (Wide CB in example), he brings the central channel in his cover-shadow. The 2 CFs then try to cut the back-pass option. All these movements intend always to force the opposition to go long and hence test the aerial ability of the Villarreal players.
Predicted Lineup against Arsenal
Moreno and Alcácer are highly likely to play as the 2 CFs. Lately Manu Trigueros is playing on the left and operates in the left half-space and Chukwueze often drifting inside from his wide right position. Parejo and Capoue are quite obvious. I would rather have Pervis Estupiñán starting over Alfonso Pedraza at Left-Back although Pedraza has been really good this season andnEstupiñán is coming from an injury as well (played 30 minutes against Barcelona).
What can Arsenal do ?
Let’s say this is how Arsenal lineup against them (for the sake of simplicity because I will explain my thoughts later). Arsenal need either Martinelli or Nicolas Pépé as a Left-Winger and both can effectively add width and same role for Bukayo Saka on the right. This is NOT a predicted lineup.
Nicolas Pépé/LW can play as a traditional Winger or the Hug the Touchline role. This effectively adds width and can create separation in the FB-CB channel (Foyth-Albiol). A possibility is presence of third-man runs scenarios by ball-side (FB-DM-W). It can isolate the Villarreal Winger in the initial phase and the Winger (Pépé in example) can make a run in-behind.
To tweak this, a Villarreal forward might press the FB from in to out. The DM can draw inside to escape the cover shadow. This will create a big gap in the middle third. However, the best way to exploit it would be faster and precise ball circulation between the last line.
Another Build-Up pattern against their press can be of using the #10 in the left half-space particularly via a diagonal ball from Xhaka (left footed + better passing accuracy) or maybe Tierney. A common theme usually is when the 2 CFs use cover shadows on the double pivots. Hence forcing out wide and using triggers to win the ball. This was very much visible by Villarreal against FC Barcelona. Though I would have a lone pivot but that’s not much possible since Arteta is preferring a 4–2–3–1 system more often. So below is a video how #10 in the half-space can be used again with better and precisive ball circulation.
Width for Barcelona came from the 2 Wing-Backs (Dest & Alba). This forced the ball-side FB (Right-Back in image) to jump to the on the ball FB (Left-Back in example) thereby creating horizontal spacing between Villarreal’s RB-RCB interval. Arsenal can also look to do the same thing but with their Wingers. A Centre-Forward pinning the backline and a player in between the lines (#10) to exploit these spaces should be necessary.
Another possible solution can be to is to allow the pivot(s) to act more flexible instead being rigid and staying deep. In this Ceballos offers support → Triangle between Pepe-Ceballos-Ødegaard. This deeper positioning of the pivot provokes the jump from the opposite pivot → expands space for Ødegaard who can release the CF in-behind.
If this wide positioning of the Winger allows a jump from the ball-side Full-Back it inevitably expands space in the FB-CB channel and the #10 or the mobile #9 can run into this space. Again, passing angles angles and quickness have to be taken into account. Ideally I would prefer the CF to pin the CB(s) and the #10 to run into the dynamic separation created.
Like I said — its necessary to be fluid and precisive especially when breaking down their deep-mid block. How well can you utilize the wide space? Crosses are less effective against this Emery’s side. In the recent encounter against Barcelona, the Catalans did had control of the wider spaces but could rarely made use of it.
Players to watch out for
Gerard Moreno
Moreno has already scored 20 goals this season and is having a fabulous season. He completes 2.66 dribbles per 90 shows his linkup with his counterpart Centre-Forward. Although 9 of his goals are from penalties he still offers a lot support to his teammates. The opposite movements like I explained before are pivotal.
However, scoring goals isn’t even his best trait. So what can he do? Look how he positions himself on the blindside and then that aerial receive!
Manu Trigueros
Probably the biggest asset of this Emery’s side has been Manu. He links the defense to the attack. Often overloading the half-space and often between the lines and hence creating the separation. Manu does it all and effectively as well.
This Trigueros-Moreno combination in between the lines. Often Pau Torres distribution makes Villarreal dangerous when they have the ball. I think I’ve praised them enough. Here are someone else’s views on the same. Below video by @pressingtrigger (Twitter)
Pervis Estupiñán
Estupiñán has been injured lately and has hence only 10 starts and itsvquite possible that he won’t be Emery’s 1st choice against Arsenal. Alfonso Pedraza is more possible and has also made his place in the XI in Pervis’ absence. However, I would peresonaly prefer Pervis. In the recent clash against FC Barcelona, Pervis came on after the 60th minute and even Villarreal playing with 10 men, Pervis was superb.
If you’ve made till here, I really thankyou. This was my first article and I must have definitely made some errors. If you notice any feel free to approach me on my twitter account @TKAnalysis .
