Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has adjusted the team’s tactics to address the Foxes’ significant defensive problems in the Premier League.
Previous tactics under Steve Cooper
Previously, Cooper relied on a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. In this formation, the wide players were busy changing positions off the ball. He encouraged his wingers to either move inside or stay close to the touchline, which provided variety in their attacking approach. When a full-back advanced up the pitch, the winger on the same side moved inwards, creating space for the advancing defender. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, the full-back would move inwards while the winger maintained width.
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This created a 3-2-4-1 formation in the build-up to the game.
Steve Cooper’s tactical change
However, in Leicester’s games against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town, Cooper used a similar tactic to Enzo Maresca last season. A big reason for this change was the inclusion of Ricardo Pereira in the starting XI, who was used as an inverted full-back last season. When Pereira had the ball, he rotated into midfield, creating a 3-2-4-1 formation. However, unlike Cooper, Mareca ensured that both wingers operated on the wings rather than a combination of full-back and winger.
Cooper has adopted this tactic lately. Although the shape may be similar, there are advantages to having both wingers on the flanks. Both Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu are direct players who love competing against their man. The two wingers allow Leicester to spread out their play rather than just attacking on one side.
In addition, the combination of Victor Kristiansen and Pereira provides variety to Leicester’s game play. When Kristiansen pushes up, he attacks the flanks, allowing Mavididi to penetrate inside or overload the full-back. However, when Pereira advances, he rotates into midfield, giving the Foxes more control in midfield and allowing Wilfred Ndidi to support the attack.
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A major weakness of a three-man chain is that the team is vulnerable if the ball is lost on the wings. With Fatawu, the problem can be partially eliminated as the young player has a tremendous work ethic and always drops back to help the team defend. Without possession, the winger actually becomes a full-back, creating a 5-3-2 possession formation that provides further stability in defense.
However, despite the change in tactics, the results weren’t great. Ideally the Foxes should have had at least four points from the Forest and Ipswich games but only managed one. With tough games ahead, Cooper must ensure the team’s synergies increase as much as possible as Leicester fight for survival.