It can sometimes take a while for a new head coach to get their ideas across, especially in preseason games with a constantly changing squad, but the friendlies provide a glimpse into some more concrete aspects like set pieces.
After the first summer friendly against Rapid Wien in Austria, we highlighted various aspects of the set pieces taken during that game which offered insight into how Paulo Fonseca intends to set the team up in defending and attacking dead balls.
Now, our writer Rohit Rajeev has taken a further look at the set pieces that have followed in the games against Manchester City and Real Madrid, both of which were wins in the United States. First though, some background.
For the 2020 European Championship, Roberto Mancini and his staff took on the services of set piece specialist Gianni Vio to help them with corners. In the end it worked out a treat as the equalising goal for Italy against England in the final came via a corner.
Another interesting note is that Vio worked for Milan under Pippo Inzaghi in the 2014-15 season, and was hired by the United States national team for the Copa America, with Christian Pulisic pointing to him after a corner routine ended with him scoring.
FC Midtjylland once had a season where 30% of their goals came from throw-ins because they had hired a specialist for that role. They have the same ownership group as Brentford, who have done the same in the Premier League.
Looking at two aspects related to Milan, we start with one where the Rossoneri are defending a corner and one where the team have a throw-in, which help analyse the approach taken.
Starting with the corner, you can see how Milan have taken a mixed approach (both zonal and man-marking) to defending it. Real Madrid tried using decoys but Milan’s strategy worked out well.
SET PIECE ANALYSIS- FONSECA’S MILAN
In Euro 2020 Mancini and Co. took the services of Set piece specialist Gianni Vio to help them with corners. In the end it worked out a treat as the equalising goal for Italy against England in the final came via a corner.
FC Midtjylland… pic.twitter.com/HC3wdtIwzY
— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 2, 2024
The throw-in was also a glimpse into how the team set up and move. If it was executed better, Milan would have likely generated a dangerous scoring opportunity.
Coming into the throw in. The throw in was an excellent opportunity for Milan to gain a chance creations opportunity. If it was executed better Milan would have had a very good chance creating action. pic.twitter.com/QyGHvhjnDY
— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) August 2, 2024
Set pieces was an unknown ideea in Pioli’s era ..😆
Yes. That’s why we had the highest goals scored from set-pieces in the league last season.
“Another interesting note is that Vio worked for Milan under Pippo Inzaghi in the 2014-15 season, and was hired by the United States national team for the Copa America”
And both ended disastrously lol 😂
Not sure that’s the comparator u want to have
I think the focus is just on the set pieces , not the season as a whole
Still waiting for the season to begin and analyse our first 5 games and see how the table looks like after 10 games.
But so far Fonseca seems to be communicating clear specific ideas, and trying to cover even the small details. Simply, he’s giving the team an identity, something that was lacking. So far so good