Second balls and counterpressing
The point of going long was never the completed pass but the shape around it, with the team positioned to duel for second balls and counterpress, which pushed aerial duels up by 40 per cent.
The posts
- Tactical analysis How Amorim adapted Three pragmatic changes — direct progression from the goalkeeper, Amad restored at right wing-back, and a more compact out-of-possession shape.
- Tactical analysis United gone long Long passes have doubled and own-third touches have collapsed: the numbers behind United's direct build-up, and its limits against compact blocks.