Authors - Kyriakos Panayiotou

The chance of winning back to back Champions League titles is over for Liverpool. Liverpool were eliminated from the Champions League with a 3-2 loss to Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their round of 16.

After losing the first leg, 1-0, in Spain, Liverpool finished regulation of the second leg up 1-0 with Wijnaldum header in the 43’ minute of the game to force extra time and Firmino to score the second goal for the Reds in the fourth minute of the extra time. Atletico Madrid got two goals from substitute Marcos Llorente to equalized with two powerful shots outside the box to beat Adrian (97’,105+1). At the stoppage time of the extra time, Morata scored in a counter attack to made it 3-2 for Atletico Madrid and go through to the Quarter Finals of Champion league.

Line Ups

Liverpool: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson, Henderson, Chamberlain, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah and Firmino

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Trippier, Savic, Felipe, Lodi, Koke, Partley, Correa, Saul, Felix and Diego Costa.

Liverpool as usual line up in 4-3-3 formation which at some point changed to a back three during possession with the defensive midfielder Henderson dropping between the two Central Defenders; Van Dijk and Gomez. This gave the chance the two fullbacks; Robertson and Alexander-Arnold to move higher on the pitch and to give width in the attack. Also, both wingers for Liverpool; Mane and Salah stayed high and wide in attack to create space in the central areas for the midfielders; Wijnaldum and Chamberlain to run into channels.

Atletico Madrid lined up in a 4-4-2 formation and they used a deep compact 4-4-2 formation in defense to limit the space in between the lines for the Liverpool Players and they kept this style throughout game. The midfielders of Atletico Madrid; Saul, Koke, Partley and Correa worked hard and they were dropping in the defense to support in the half spaces and wings.

Liverpool moved the ball from defense to midfield easily and stirker Firmino dropped deep to create a 3 vs 2 overload in the centre of the midfielders.

Hence, this created space for midfielder Chamberlain in the half-space on the right flank, while the midfielders of Αtleltico Madrid; Koke and Partey were occupied marking striker Firmino and midfielder Wijnaldum. They tried to switch play quickly on the other side in order to attack space with midfielder Chamberlain running into the right corridor. This tactic-initiated chances and opportunities which lead to scoring the 1st goal for Liverpool.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær is now the first Manchester United manager, after Sir Alex Ferguson, to accomplish two wins against Manchester City. With a 70% possession, the recently Carabao Cup Champions originally appeared to be in full control; however, it was obvious that the men in red had more to say in controlling the game out of possession. The first goal for Manchester United came from a free kick, as Manchester City’s defense in the 30th minute was switched off as Fernandes played a cute and clever chip into the run of Manchester United striker; Martial. Martial needed only one touch to strike low. The second goal scored on the 96th minute from a distribution of Manchester City goalkeeper; Ederson that went straight to the feet of the Manchester United midfielder; McTominay who finished from a distance on his second touch.

The lineups were straight forward, with Manchester United in a 3-4-1-2 formation and a deep 5-2-3 defense formation. This allowed an extra player in the wide channels when Manchester City was able to get the ball to the pacey wingers.

Manchester City lined up in 4-3-3 formation and during possession the left back; Zinchenko was moving into the midfield area, to support the build-up play, whilst the defensive midfielder; Rodri was man-marked by the attacking midfielder of Manchester United; Bruno Fernandes. The striker; Aguero was dropping in the midfield to create space for the two-attacking midfielders; Gundogan and Bernando Silva. This resulted to receive the ball wide and high in the half-space. Additionally, the two wingers; Foden and Sterling stayed high and wide to stretch Manchester United’s defensive line.

Manchester City was intended on creating even numbers (2v2, 1v1), or numerical advantage (2v1, 3v2) in wide areas to take advantage of their creative and attacking players like Raheem Sterling. However, with Manchester United’s defensive setup it was difficult for them to do so. When the ball was passed to the Manchester City Winger; Sterling and supported by Gundogan, the Right wing back of Manchester United; Bisakka immediately closed him down and was supported by the extra center back; Lindelof and the defensive midfielder; Fred in case of Sterling was able to cut inside. Therefore, they formed defending situations of 3v2 in the wide areas and 3v1 in the penalty box. Manchester United’s forward; James deliberately stayed behind the play and wide enough, where he was not picked up by Zinchenko and not too high where Otamendi will be able to pick him up, preparing him for the counterattack.

Furthermore, sometimes Manchester United defended high in the wide areas with the defensive line (except the opposite wing back; Williams), midfielders; Fred, Matic, Fernandes and the striker; James shifting on the strong side of the pitch to minimise space for Manchester City, creating an 8v6 situation. Hence, James and Martial were available for quick counterattacks as they waited in the open space of the outside channels.

This defending tactical strategy, helped Manchester United to be organised in the defense and ready for counterattacks, created chances but they didn’t manage to score a goal from a counterattack.