Maximilian Ruiz

Economic and Data Analytics at Dartmouth College 🌲 | Film Analysis and Scouting | UCL Fantasy #562🌎 8th 🇪🇸

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Barcelona Tactical Analysis: A Thread 👇

In the match today, we began to see Flick's new system. One that, instead of going against his "high line" ideology, takes it to new, modern extremes.

Xabi Alonso played a similar system when at Bayern Leverkussen which allowed his team to counter press more effectively due to the opposition being forced into their offensive shape. Pep's City also followed similar ideas in previous seasons.

Flick looked to set up deep in the oppositions field, using the two centre backs as rest defense and 1 of the double pivot dropping in centrally. In the photo below you can see the very small gaps between players.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

@nontenesU19 tell me more. What mentality do his teams adopt?

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

@auresports @ChelseaFC @FulhamFC Love this press. Also I like how fast the Chelsea midfielder turn to try and find where the second ball lands.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Pay to Play

Disgusting the way the US has set up their youth system. The biggest advantage we have are the free open pitches where kids can play without having to sign up for a team (think local highschool fields).

However, nobody encourages this. What is promoted is spending thousands of dollars to get on a team where meritocracy is absent.

[Jason Collinsworth @IHateSoccerPod]

Rank what is holding the United States back (in your opinion):

Pay to play
Culture (2nd & 3rd gen players)
No Promotion and Relegation
Youth coaching
College soccer
Ability to build out of the back
Youth soccer parents
USSoccer Federation
MLS
ECNL
MLSNext
USYSA
USL

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

I think one of the reasons why the ball progression from the CB is so powerful is because it forces the pressing midfielders to make a decision.

Especially in a 442, if they decide to press space opens behind them for the 10 to receive the ball.

Great analysis btw, I think that first 3rd man combo shown is an absolute staple of all top teams in buildup.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

@iso2eagle @VarolQsm @manager_genius wait he had 8 OPPDA that’s insane.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

@mhmtdesouza10 @manager_genius I definitely won’t this UCL! Will be writing some Tactic reports. Don’t think most people are tapped into Fenerbache’s style of play yet.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Rivalries aside, this is no joke. Completely immoral behavior from Atletico here. Dont really see how this ends in their favor as well 🤷‍♂️.

Prayers to Julian right now, hopefully he can get through this rough period.

[Transfer News Live @DeadlineDayLive]

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Julián Álvarez has a medical certificate from a doctor stating that he is suffering from depression. 😳😢

The Argentine is being blocked by Atlético Madrid, who do not want to allow him to join his dream club, Barcelona. ❌

His depression has caused him to miss the last three training sessions. 🤯

(Source: COPE)

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

@sofradabi @VarolQsm @manager_genius thanks mate!

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Realistically he shouldn’t. Arda deserves to start and no point rotating so early in the year.

Players need game time to adjust to systems. Not rotation.

[✗ @xyezerr]

Yan Diomande should start the Next Game, who should be benched for him?

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Most likely option could be Fabregas although i’m sure Real has tried contacting him already.

I could see Klopp if Barcelona can make a decent proposal to him (something that Real Madrid has failed to do multiple times).

Maybe De Zerbi if he has a decent year at Tottenham. Or even Slot.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

I know this post is making a joke about Barcelona’s back line BUT I do think that it could be Flick’s final season in charge.

If Barcelona don’t make a deep run in the UCL there will definitely be talks about a potential change.

I also think he’s often extreme tactics don’t help his case in the long run.

[ris @riskyfcb_]

Pretty sure this is Flick’s final season

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

just wait until he starts scoring goals as well 😭😭😭

[Rising Stars XI @RisingStarXI]

🇭🇷💎 Brighton have one of the 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 centre-backs in the Premier League… and he’s 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝟏𝟗.

𝐋𝐔𝐊𝐀 𝐕𝐔𝐒̌𝐊𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐂́. 🧱

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

@VarolQsm @manager_genius Will look into his style for sure. Thoughts on the squad he’s built? I think it’s really impressive for a Fenerbache side to have such an experienced elite level squad. Probably will surprise a lot of teams this year.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

What have I just watched.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

@Aymanmagdy_ it will be important for Madrid to learn how to recognize triggers faster as a team. Jude should recognize he must reach his man much earlier in the sequence.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

I think the people saying that it is a good “pressing trap” from Villa are not exactly right.

It is a big mistake by Ayari which should have been an easy progression through the press.

If anything it just shows how difficult deep buildup is and highlights the extreme risk / reward ratio

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Great point. I think people often generalize Madrid's pressing issues with "Mbappe doesnt run" or "Vini is lazy" but one of the greater issues is their pressing patterns or routes.

If you arent forcing a decision then the press is practically useless.

The goal Real conceded was a result of Dumphries not pushing up to accompany the press because Mbappe's press lacked the path and aggression to force a decision.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Flick's Barcelona incorporating PSG Buildup? 📝

Look at Barcelona's buildup shape in the first photo. Both CB in the box, FBs low and wide. Wingers are hugging the touchline on either side.

This is very similar to Luis Henrique's buildup with PSG. The space is created for the dropping "9" by pushing all three midfielders towards the ball (attracting m2m press).

The 9 drops in the space created and offloads to runnings midfielders as the wingers find space in behind.

Love to see this type of inspiration used throughout leagues. Especially effective against tight m2m systems.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Seeing Barclona's buildup shape reminded me of PSG's last season vs Newcastle.

The wingers are asked to hug the touchline while the "false 9" forward drops in bewteen the lines.

The space for the drop is created by all 3 midfielders aproaching the ball and baiting the press forward before the ball into the dropping 9 is played.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Barcelona Tactical Analysis: A Thread 👇

In the match today, we began to see Flick's new system. One that, instead of going against his "high line" ideology, takes it to new, modern extremes.

Xabi Alonso played a similar system when at Bayern Leverkussen which allowed his team to counter press more effectively due to the opposition being forced into their offensive shape. Pep's City also followed similar ideas in previous seasons.

Flick looked to set up deep in the oppositions field, using the two centre backs as rest defense and 1 of the double pivot dropping in centrally. In the photo below you can see the very small gaps between players.

[Maximilian Ruiz @maxruizanalysis]

Coming back to this screenshot I also wanted to highlight the use of the right back Eric Garcia to pin Bilbao's left back allowing Lamine to have space on the wing. Espart also looked to come central throughout the game as well.

Rodri positioning himself slightly above the two centerbacks allows him to press both of Bilbao's outlets were a counter press initiated.