A classic Brighton game with over 7 times more xG (Expected Goals) than the opponent, missed penalty kick, a goal getting overruled, 3 formations used over the course of 90 minutes and the opponent scoring a goal from their only shot in the box. These are the games why I love Brighton. Here, I take a close look at 3 formations Brighton used and adapted when in possession.
1. 4–3–1–2
A common way to defend with a 4–5–1 which Palace performed, is to bring out a player from the midfield 5 to press players on the back line. First of all, I’ll go through some of the ways Brighton showed to counter this 4–5–1 pressing and to gain control of the game.
Generally, Brighton’s basic starting position looked like the diagram below.
If one of the Palace WG’s were to press Brighton’s CBs while cover-shadowing the FB, Brighton would easily try to reach him by using the FB as a third man via DM or dropping CM. Eze (RW) pressed in this manner quite often, opening up Cucurella in some situations. To make this possible, both FBs positioned deep enough to maintain access with the MFs and very wide to pin opponent WGs.
The interesting bit about this system is when we take a look at the players’ behavior up front.
An AM (Moder) and the 2 CMs (Mac Allister / Groβ) usually positioned behind the opponent’s midfield line of 5. Not only does this provide various options to play in between the lines, it also serves the role of pinning the Palace 3 CMs back, providing more space for CBs to play in. If one of the CMs were to press Brighton’s CB, they can pass to a player waiting in between the lines and progress from there.
Brighton also had some emphasis on occupying the pocket which they tend to do in most of their games. By occupying this space at all times, it creates a situation where Palace’s FB is pinned on the player there and frees up Brighton’s wide attackers.
Also, when looking at Palace’s midfield line of 5, there are 4 central gaps a pass from the back can go through. As the original 3 MFs in between the lines aren’t enough to use this as effectively, one of the CFs were also free to roam in between the lines to be an additional option.
Players would make certain actions if they weren’t able to receive in the pocket or space in between the lines. These included runs in behind, dropping lower to pull out an opponent, or making runs out wide to attack the space there. Every player’s movement differs according to their strength. Taking Groβ as an example, he often moved out wide and deep from the pocket to maximize his accurate crossing.
Talking about runs in behind, the game saw Brighton’s right CB, Webster, kick long quite often when he got pressured by Palace’s lone striker. This might have been a part of their match plan to send the ball forward early and win the ball back at a higher area. It’s also notable that all the long passes was targeted towards space behind Mitchell, Palace’s LB.
These movements and actions which occurred simultaneously when Brighton had possession helped them deconstruct Palace’s defensive block, opening up certain gaps within it to attack from.
Even if the progressive passes in between the lines and in behind were denied, the exceeding amount of players Brighton had in between the lines, as well as quick transition made by each individual created a strong layer for them to stop the counter-attack from being a significant threat. Therefore, it can be said that Brighton have meaningfully put a lot of players in between the line not only for attacking purposes but also for defending purposes.
By performing these actions and following the same patterns in the final third to close down on goal which I reflect in the piece below, they were able to trap opponents in their own half and create chances.
2. 5–2–1–2
Well we lost Adam (Lallana) early, so we had to readjust, went to more of a 5 (at the back) then, used Tariq’s (Lamptey) pace in behind and the ability to create some width there and push Marc (Cucurella) a bit higher. Obviously then they score and we have to adjust again…
These were the quotes from Potter after the match showing how they changed the back line by bringing on Lamptey and how they adjusted their system again after conceding a goal.
Amid the short time they played in this 5–2–1–2 system, it was interesting to see both WBs positioned quite high to give some space for front 3 to receive in between the lines. Lamptey was quick to make an impact to the game by helping Brighton progress closer to the opponent goal through winning 1vs1 situations and combination plays.
The key point in this system was the 2 DMs, Mac Allister and Groβ. By having an additional player compared to the previous system, there were more options for players in between the lines to play a back pass, which they opened their attack from.
However, they also had some problems both at the structure level and at the individual level. Because there were only 2 DMs covering the space in front of the defensive line, the space opposite to them got used whenever they would go out wide to press. This is a common issue that tends to happen when defending in a 5–2–1–2. Individually, both DMs had some issues tracking back Palace’s CMs, especially Gallagher who is really good at making runs forward from the midfield area.
Overall, Brighton wasn’t able to score when they were dominant for over 50 minutes, and Palace scored while Brighton was still adjusting to the new system.
3. 4–2–2–2
Soon after conceding a goal, Brighton changed their system to a 4–2–2–2 by bringing on Welbeck and March. This change of system also had an interesting effect on the dynamics of the game.
One major benefit of using this system is the balance of numbers in front and in behind Palace’s midfield line. Similar benefit was gained by having 2 DMs as discussed in the 5–2–1–2 section, and even if the CBs got pressed by Palace’s lone striker, one of the DMs was always free to receive in front of the line. This allwos for a better access in between the lines and potential combination plays with players out wide.
Moder made some great moves by dropping into the defensive line to confuse Palace CF even more. Players like him and others who quickly adjusted to a new role within a new system shows how Brighton under Potter has enhanced player’s positional flexibility by experiencing various systems and positions which come into use in these kinds of games.
Having 2 DMs provided more options for CBs to play short rather than go long. As Palace started to sit back, it can be said that this was an appropriate tactical shift since it’d be just easy for them to defend against long balls in a low block. It’d be interesting if the coaching staffs had thought and predicted this far when changing the systems around.
With all of these actions and elements to help Brighton progress and keep control of the game, the goal came in the 87th minute which was meant to happen a bit earlier in the game. However, it is a really good sign and a big difference from last season that they’re clinging onto the game and finishing very strong. Potter also talked about how Brighton has been performing the same way as they did last season in today’s press conference.
I assume it is difficult for the players to play in various positions and formations. However, I’m really impressed with how Potter managed to work on it both from a tactical and a psychological perspective, but most importantly, all the players sticking to his plan and always giving their 100 % on the pitch.
These were the 3 systems Brighton went through over the course of the match. Feel free to comment your opinions and observations around the game. Ready for tonight’s Chelsea game!
Yuma Shibamoto
(Stats from: Fbref.com)
