Benfica B were asked by Liverpool to mimic Tottenhams tactics in a friendly to help them prepare for the Champions League final.The Reds spent a week in Marbella to prepare for the final, which they won 2-0 in Madrid.The trip was used to keep fitness levels up and get used to the heat in Spain prior to the match.
Getty1Liverpool played Benfica's B team in Marbella before the Champions League final. Turns out it was more than just for fitness reasons, it was specific tactical preparation. I translated some quotes from Renato Paiva (Benfica B manager) who talked to newspaper ABola about it. pic.twitter.com/6aBnohwUwn— Tiago Estvo (@TiagoEstv) June 4, 2019We recreated two of their offensive and two of their defensive moments, as well as the set-pieces we thought theyd use in the final. We replicated their centre-back and goalkeeper build-up routines, their 4-2-3-1 defensive shape with the striker cutting between opposition centre-backs and the 10 obstructing Liverpools 6. Vinicius mimicked Eriksen, Bernardo acted more like Alli and Jose Gomes was Kane.We had to adapt to that 4-2-3-1 shape, both defensively and in possession, with two midfielders dropping close to the centre-backs during build-up to try and attract Liverpools press. “Tottenham would ideally want to attract Liverpool players closer to their box, so after a couple of passes between centre-backs and goalkeeper they can then attack the space in behind with their forwards and full-backs.Dean Saunders in disbelief over Liverpools penalty on Champions League final We ended up just making slight tweaks to our regular system. A midfield triangle with Alli moving closer to the opposition centre-back (with Kane next to the other), Eriksen moving inwards to draw the full-back in while Trippier covers the wide space. Much like with Son and Rose on the left.Klopp complimented us – When you dropped your centre-backs to build-up we immediately set up the same press we used against Manchester City and you still managed to surpass it three or four times!
Liverpool went five points clear at the top of the Premier League after a nervy 1-1 draw with Leicester on Wednesday night.. Manchester City's shock defeat at Newcastle on Tuesday could have seen
Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool - Premier League recap as Reds leave
BACK ON TOP Manchester City 2-0 Cardiff: Pep Guardiola's men breeze past Bluebirds to retake top spot. City have now won each of their last eight Premier League fixtures.
Manchester City 2-0 Cardiff: Pep Guardiola's men breeze past
Leicester City has tied down winger Marc Albrighton to a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2022. The 29-year-old has made over 170 appearances for the club since 2014 after joining on a free transfer from Aston Villa and was part of the squad that famously won the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season.
Albrighton commits future to Leicester by signing until 2022
Jose Mourinho believes Tottenham could go on a trophy spree if Kalidou Koulibaly Real Madrid 'agree £130m deal for Eden Hazard Real Madrid capture Chelsea star Eden Hazard on a five-year
How Real Madrid could look next year under Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid appoint Santiago Solari as permanent manager until end of the season. Solari has won all four games in temporary charge having replaced the sacked Julen Lopetegui
Real Madrid Appoint Santiago Solari as Permanent Manager
For the 2017/18 campaign Under-21 players will have been born on or after 1 January 1996. Each club squad list is below as well as an additional list of each club's registered Under-21 players who are eligible over and above the squad limit of 25 players. Download: 2017/18 Premier League Squad List (PDF, 1.0MB) AFC Bournemouth
Leeds have been handed a huge boost in their bid to keep manager Marcelo Bielsa next season after the Argentine's brother ruled out any potential departure. The Whites are on th
RefWatch - Arsenal Vs Manchester United (22/01/2012 - 16:00
Anthony Martial's dramatic loss of form since signing a new deal at Manchester United has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer concerned. The Frenchman's form picked up when Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho
'Even Moussa Sissoko had a better season!' - Fans fume at controversial PFA Team of the Year Eden Hazard, Heung-min Son and David Silva are just a few of the names to miss out on the annual list
'Even Moussa Sissoko had a better season!' - Fans fume at
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be set to join Monaco (Pic: GETTY) "I know what my role is. Unfortunately it's not the one I want" Cesc Fabregas. According to French publication L'Equipe, the World Cup winner will sign on the dotted line for Monaco in the coming days.
Cesc Fabregas slams official that oversaw Chelsea's draw
Sarri 'didn't know anything' about Chelsea signing Pulisic
Real Betis 1-4 Barcelona: Betis fans chant Lionel Messi's name and give him a standing ovation as sublime hat-trick sinks their team. Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick as Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-1
Fans react to Messi's staggering hat-trick vs Real Betis
Ashley Young backed to become new Manchester United captain after Antonio Valencia exit, Pogba and Smalling also in the running 22nd May 2019 News Puddle 0 Comments talkSPORT Spread the love
Ashley Young backed to become new Manchester United captain
Billy McNeill funeral - road closures as Glasgow to pay respects to Celtic legend. The council expects thousands to line the streets on Friday in tribute to the Lisbon Lions hero
Arsenal and Juventus in a race for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini According to a media outfit in Italy, Sky, Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, is being sorted after by Arsenal and Juvetus.
0 Comments