FT: WALES 1 - 1 CROATIA. Match thread

[Wales-Bales]

Decent performance against the world cup finalists.

Our midfield is simply not good enough though. I think last night emphasised why Sarri never opted for Ampadu last season. He's got potential but he was technically out of his depth last night.

We were organised and defended really well but being in the stadium with Wales isn't what it was a couple of years ago.

How was he technically out of his depth? His role was in front of the back four to close down opposition players, and break up play in what was a compressed Welsh formation.

[Rjk]

How was he technically out of his depth? His role was in front of the back four to close down opposition players, and break up play in what was a compressed Welsh formation.

Positioning was poor for their goal, and he seemed to give the ball away a bit trying to ping the ball about. Still have high hopes for him though

[Wales-Bales]

Positioning was poor for their goal, and he seemed to give the ball away a bit trying to ping the ball about. Still have high hopes for him though

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.

[Rjk]

We were very slow to realise the importance of the game

Uh?

Do you think half way through the first half one of the players suddenly worked out that this was an important match to win if we want to qualify?

[Wales-Bales]

Uh?

Do you think half way through the first half one of the players suddenly worked out that this was an important match to win if we want to qualify?

Yes I do, because they weren't at the races for the first 15 minutes. You don't just not turn up for a game of this magnitude. Maybe the Giggs team talk sent them to sleep before the game instead of getting them fired up!

[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.