How Real Madrid turned things around against Chelsea

Match analysis

“Real” controlled the meeting in all segments, but the types of benefits were different. In the first half, Ancelotti’s team kept the ball well, manipulated the opponent’s pressure and attacked in space. 51% to 49% by ownership; 8:8 on strikes, despite the fact that Madrid’s strikes were clearly sharper. In the second half, the guests scored the third goal at the very beginning and clearly sat on the defensive. Even the counterattack could not be completed. 64% to 36% in favor of Chelsea in possession and 12:1 in shooting. Not scary, given that Chelsea’s chances weren’t sharp enough, and Madrid had a two-goal lead the entire half. Ancelotti’s team did not lose control, but the nature of the half was very different. The main tactical surprise was the position of Valverde. Usually we praise the Uruguayan for his work in pressing. His yesterday’s role was also built around efficiency, but in a different vein – when defending, he had to sit down as a fifth defender in a line.After the match, Ancelotti explained the idea: “Our formation was not so different from the usual. The difference was that Valverde focused on the opponent’s left lateral. This gave Carvajal the opportunity to play in a more central position – to hold back Pulisic or Mount. Valverde did a very good job. Sometimes it seemed that we were defending with a five. We didn’t have a mandatory task to line up like this – the position of Azpilicueta dictated the position of Valverde, who followed him. If Azpilicueta remained in his half of the field, then Valverde was with him and was closer to the attackers. If Azpilicueta went on the attack, Valverde became an additional defender.