Build-up tactics: Is the high-risk strategy worth the reward?
From the Premier League down to League Two, teams are taking risks to build up from the back; Chelsea and Brighton made high-profile errors and Wolves received criticism for their approach on Saturday – but this trend is set to be a key theme of the season.
“I cannot believe what I’m watching,” exclaimed Tim Sherwood on Soccer Saturday as he saw Brighton give the ball to Chelsea once again in the final third and concede another goal during a ridiculous first half at Stamford Bridge.
Opposition teams had only turned over the ball high up the pitch against Brighton once in the first five matches of this season. Chelsea did it five times, scoring twice from those moments on their way to a 4-2 win.
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It was a disastrous display from Brighton which left their build-up approach open to criticism.
Chelsea were not much better at it. They were caught out twice, with four of the six goals in those first 45 minutes coming from players unsuccessfully playing out from the back.
This tactic has been a feature of this season so far, with teams increasingly willing to take chances in and around their own box in a bid to beat the press and find space further up the field.Transfer Centre LIVE! ‘Liverpool ready to hijack Man Utd move for Branthwaite’
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But any slip-up is so fraught with danger it often leaves observers wondering whether the reward is worth the risk.
Chelsea, Brighton
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Wolves were almost undone in just this way when Mohamed Salah pounced in the area.
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But it was the approach of Gary O’Neil’s side in the final 15 minutes of their match with Liverpool which brought the tactic into further focus.
Gary Neville on co-commentary for Sky Sports, made his irritation clear as Wolves – needing a goal at home – persisted with overly-patient build-up play.
