FT: WALES 1 - 1 CROATIA. Match thread

[Tuerto]

He was actually moving to close down their attacking full back who had just gone past a number of our players and was bearing down on goal. A lot of the players were out of position by that point, so I would say it was a group effort. We were very slow to realise the importance of the game, and the players seemed to be overawed during the first 15 minutes or so.

He was at fault for the goal. There were twp players out there already, all he had to do is stand on the goalscorer and it would never have happened. Ampadu had absolutely no business in moving towards the ball. That was poor.

[Wales-Bales]

He was at fault for the goal. There were twp players out there already, all he had to do is stand on the goalscorer and it would never have happened. Ampadu had absolutely no business in moving towards the ball. That was poor.

Their Full-Back had already skinned one of them, and if he beat the other he was 1-on-1 with the keeper and it's a goal. Allen was miles behind play and unable to defend his designated zone, hence Ampadu moved across to close down the ball and player. Our CH was stuck on the edge of the 6 yard box when he should have been moving forward towards their attacker, so that's two players who were already out of position who never did their job. BTW it's the defensive mids responsibility to close down the player with the ball, and it's the CH's who pick up the strikers.

[Tuerto]

Their Full-Back had already skinned one of them, and if he beat the other he was 1-on-1 with the keeper and it's a goal. Allen was miles behind play and unable to defend his designated zone, hence Ampadu moved across to close down the ball and player. Our CH was stuck on the edge of the 6 yard box when he should have been moving forward towards their attacker, so that's two players who were already out of position who never did their job. BTW it's the defensive mids responsibility to close down the player with the ball, and it's the CH's who pick up the strikers.

The centre half defends the six yard line because Ampadu had assumed the position in front of him, he then decides to **** off and leave a player completely free without calling out the Central defender. What would be better, a wide player with a fullback and goalkeeper to beat in a tight area or a player completely unmarked on the 18 yard line begging to be put in? Allen is to blame as well, they were both daydreaming for the Slovakia goal as well. As for who goes to close down isn't a science, it doesn't matter when a team is in that position, as long as there's communication and awareness (there was none) then it isn't a problem.

Ampadu needs to play because to me he doesn't look great when he gets turned or is facing his own goal, a delight with the ball and space infront of him. He needs experience.

[Heisenberg]

Ampadu.jpg


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If Ampadu keeps his position in the first screenshot instead of getting needlessly attracted the the ball/man, he may have prevented the goal by giving Petkovic no space to lay it off for Vlasic (in yellow) to shoot.

Allen, Rodon and Lockyer are all putting the winger, Brekalo, under pressure and if he had scored on his own from there then it would have been something special. Instead, his pass to Petkovic takes Ampadu completely out of the game.

[Wales-Bales]

Ampadu.jpg

In this split second all Ampadu can see is a 1 v 1 inside the box, and he has no idea if their full-back is going past his man or not. Based on the way the guy had just annihilated two Welsh players, you have to say the odds are with the Croatia full-back. Ampadu is the only player who can provide cover if he beats his man. At that precise moment in time Ampadu has to go towards the ball. Whatever happened next has no relevance regarding his decision, as nobody on the pitch knew what the outcome would be.