Positioning learnings from the Klassieker
Positioning learnings from the Klassieker between Ajax and Feyenoord u19. It was my game and I saw some interesting things that you might be able to learn from as well.
Plus: feel free to comment below on your opinion. Or share your positioning questions.
Free kick on the left side
My idea is to focus on the next challenge. Go to the position where the ball lands in the penalty area, because that is where the next crucial decision will be. Think about goals, possible penalty kicks.
One of the considerations is the position of the wall, which is outside the penalty area. A possible handball there would not lead to a penalty kick, so I’d go much further towards the goal myself.
How would you do that? What are your thougths? feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram if you prefer contact that way.
The specific incident in the video starts at 1 minute and 2 seconds.
Positioning on left with a free kick
Personally I’d love to be a bit more central here, as that usually is where the ball will land. This will not be a direct shot at the goal.
The consideration at the game probably was: the number 2 of Ajax (red and white) is also central and I might be into the way.
What I did to re-gain some of the distance lost by staying at the side is: quickly move forward to the edge of the penalty area.
Where would you picked a position there?
The specific incident in the video starts at 6 minutes and 10 seconds.
Counter-attack
Immediately after the ball is lost I tried to get into the diagonal and follow play.
To keep up with these academy talents is sometimes a challenge, but I’m happy where I ended up when the goalkeeper saved the ball. Maybe a bit more acceleration there.
The specific incident in the video starts at 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Attack on the right side of play
The ball goes to the right and in my opinion I’ll stay too central for a long time. No reaction/anticipation when the ball goes to the right.
In the next clip, I’ll move more to the AR side of the field of play.
The specific incident in the video starts at 5 minutes and 22 seconds.
Following attack slightly more to right
The attack here is at a higher speed, but I move to the right more natural and stop moving forward when the attacker comes back a little just before the cross.
Considerations to go more to the right (and why I’d love to see that in the previous clip) is my responsibility at the edge of the penalty area in case a possible foul is inside or outside the penalty area.
The specific incident in the video starts at 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
Advantage on own half with back to goal
This is just before the end of the game. Positioning-wise the foul is on the own half with his back to the goal he has to score in. But Ajax wanted to win, gained possession and had the chance to go forward. That were my considerations to give andvantage and to move forward in my positioning.
Which things do you keep in mind when giving the advantage?