The Football Analyst In this tactical analysis, we explore Chelsea under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, examining the strategic principles that define his approach. Known for his innovative approach and strong tactical foundations, Maresca brings a fresh perspective to the team. This article explores how he has shaped Chelsea’s playing style, focusing on key elements like formations, build-up play, pressing strategies, and the role of individual players. By breaking down these tactical aspects, we gain a better understanding of how Maresca’s influence is transforming Chelsea into a more cohesive and dynamic side on the pitch.
Build-up
Low Build-up
In the low build-up, Maresca sets his team up in a 4-2-2-3 formation. The goalkeeper moves up into the backline to create a back four, allowing the wingers to push higher. The six building players can work together to beat the initial press and the five attackers can cooperate to create goalscoring opportunities.
Maresca mainly wants to beat the press by finding an attacking midfielder in the space between the opposition’s defense and midfield, who can bounce the ball to a holding midfielder, who then can progress the ball forward.
High Build-up
In the high build-up, Maresca’s Chelsea set up in a 1-3-2-5 formation, the same as in the low build-up without the goalkeeper between the center-backs.
Maresca usually wants the two holding midfielders to be in different lines during the build-up. This is crucial for creating passing lanes and disrupting the opposition’s defensive structure.
When the holding midfielders are staggered—one slightly ahead of the other—it forces the opposition’s attackers to make difficult decisions on who to block off, opening up space for the team to advance the ball. This layered positioning also enhances ball circulation by providing multiple angles for passing, reducing the risk of predictable or intercepted passes. The holding midfielders can play between themselves, allowing them to find third-man combinations to beat the opposition’s first line of pressure.
Maresca also focuses on keeping the wingers high and wide. This pulls apart the opposition’s defense and opens up more space for Chelsea’s midfielders.
Numerical Superiority in the Midfield
Having only the two wingers out wide and the rest in the middle creates more options in the center and less space between the players. Maresca likes this because he prioritizes playing through the middle. He needs one player out wide to pull the opposition apart while the rest create numerical advantages in the midfield areas. When a team outnumbers the opposition in the midfield, it can more easily retain the ball, exploit spaces, and progress the ball through the center. This advantage forces the opposing team to chase the game, which can lead to defensive errors and create opportunities for breaking down their defense. At the same time, it builds good conditions in defensive transitions since it allows more players to counterpress when they lose the ball.
Another purpose for keeping many players in the middle is to shorten the distance between them. This shortens the length of the passes, which naturally shortens the time between passes. This means the opposition players will have less time to push up and press, giving the Chelsea players more time and control.
High Backline (Off)
A massive aspect of Enzo Maresca’s high possession build-up is to have the defenders high up. This helps in the counterpress because they get closer to the center. Having more players close to the center who can win the ball back makes it difficult for the opposition to do anything when they win possession. Furthermore, the high backline shortens the distance between players, shortening the time and length of the passes and preventing the opposition from pushing up their defense.
Third-man
Maresca wants his team to play through the opposition when possible. One vital tool that they often use is the third-man principle. The third-man principle is a tactical concept used to create and exploit space by involving a third player in a passing sequence.
It typically works by having Player A pass the ball to Player B, who then quickly relays it to the free Player C. An opponent will block the pass from Player A to Player C, but the pass from Player B to Player C will be open, which is why he is needed in this passing combination.
This movement often bypasses an opponent’s pressing line and opens up space, allowing the team to advance the ball more effectively. The key to the third-man principle is timing and positioning, as the third player must anticipate the play, position themselves advantageously, and receive the ball in a manner that breaks the opposition’s defensive structure. This principle is integral to many modern football strategies, promoting fluidity, quick decision-making, and dynamic attacking play.
Chelsea will, for example, use third-man combinations to find an open center-back when the opposition striker presses the goalkeeper.
Finding the Pockets
Maresca’s players always try to find the attacking midfielders in the pockets. These “pockets” refer to the spaces between the opposition’s defensive and midfield lines, where the attacking midfielders can receive the ball in more advanced positions. By positioning themselves intelligently in these pockets, the attacking midfielders can turn quickly and face the opposition’s goal, creating opportunities for through balls, driving runs, or direct shots. This positioning forces the opposition to make difficult decisions. If an opposition defender steps up and closes down the attacking midfielder, he potentially leaves space behind. If he stays back, he allows the midfielder time on the ball. The Chelsea defenders and holding midfielders will look for straight passes, breaking the opposition lines and finding the attacking midfielders who can turn and drive at the defense.
Chelsea will also use third-man combinations involving the striker to find players in these spaces. A defender or holding midfielder can play a straight pass to the striker, who can find an attacking midfielder in the pocket with a simple one-touch pass.
Finding these pockets is crucial for maintaining fluidity in attack and ensuring that the team can progress the ball effectively through the middle of the pitch.
Dropping Outside
When the opposition defends very compactly and does not allow the attacking midfielders to get the ball in the pockets, Chelsea’s attacking midfielders can drop outside to receive the ball there instead. They will wait for the opposition’s wide midfielders to come into the middle and drop out into the space outside of him. The opposition center-backs and central midfielders rarely follow these runs, not wanting to open the space in the center. Additionally, the winger, who is positioned high and wide, will be pinning the opposition fullback, not allowing him to jump on the dropping attacking midfielder. This means that the attacking midfielder can receive the ball, turn, and progress the ball unopposed.
Follow Pressure
Another tool that the Chelsea players use to play past the opposition in the build-up is to follow the pressure. This means running into the space that a pressing player is leaving behind. The space that opens up is often the one behind the opposition’s pressing winger, who pushes up on Chelsea’s wide center-back. The attacking midfielder will run into that space, receive the ball, turn, and progress the ball up the pitch.
Numerical Advantages Against the Opposition’s Defense
A massive aspect of Chelsea’s high build-up is their ability to create numerical advantages against the opposition’s defensive line. Playing with a front five means the forward line naturally becomes numerically superior against a back four, which they are great at taking advantage of.
Maresca’s players mainly exploit this by creating 2v1 situations against the opposition fullback. When the defending team is positioned on one side, the weak-side fullback becomes vulnerable to the long switch of play due to the 1v2 against Chelsea’s winger and attacking midfielder. The attacking midfielder will make a run in behind, the fullback will follow that run, and the space for the winger out wide will be opened. Maresca’s team often capitalizes on this by getting the ball to the winger and creating many opportunities from 2v1 situations on the wing and in the half-spaces.
Attacking the Half-Space
Enzo Maresca’s players usually look to create chances by attacking the space between the opposition center-back and fullback. They primarily do this from the wide areas with underlaps from the attacking midfielders. When the winger receives the ball out wide he will attract the opposition fullback. This opens the space between the fullback and the center-back, which allows Chelsea’s attacking midfielder to make the underlapping run into this space. The ball can be played to the underlapping player, who can cross the ball into the box or attack his defender in a 1v1 situation.
The winger does not have to play the ball to the underlapping player. The run from the attacking midfielder will often drag away an opposition defensive midfielder, which opens the space inside. The winger can take the ball inside and shoot or find a pass to a free player in front of the backline.
Defending
Low Press
Maresca’s Chelsea uses a 1-4-2-3-1 formation when defending. They look to set up in a mid-block, always trying to close the center and force the opposition out wide. Maresca wants his team to stay compact without dropping too low, preferably closing the space between the midfield and backline.
Defending in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation revolves around maintaining a compact and organized structure. The formation features a back four that provides stability, with two holding midfielders shielding the defense. These holding midfielders play a crucial role in breaking up opposition attacks and providing cover for the fullbacks when they advance. The three attacking midfielders work to stop entries for the opposition and cut off passing lanes, while the lone striker applies pressure on the ball. The team aims to stay compact, forcing the opposition to play wide and limiting their ability to penetrate through the center. By maintaining this structure, the 1-4-2-3-1 formation helps to control the middle of the pitch, making it difficult for opponents to create scoring opportunities.
High Backline (Def)
One tool that helps to be compact is to play with a high backline, making the space to the midfield line as small as possible. Maresca’s players do this and usually try to keep the highest line they can without leaving the space behind them too open. Defending with a high backline involves positioning the defensive line closer to the midfield, rather than near the goalkeeper. This tactic compresses the space available for the opposing team to operate, disrupting their build-up play and increasing the chances of winning the ball back quickly.
A high backline also allows defenders to support the midfield more effectively, creating numerical superiority in central areas and facilitating quicker transitions from defense to attack. However, it requires defenders with good pace and positional awareness to deal with long balls and prevent opposing attackers from exploiting the space behind. This approach demands constant communication and coordination among the backline to maintain a cohesive and effective defensive structure.
Everyone must be in the same line when defending with a high backline to maintain an effective offside trap, ensure cohesive coverage, and reduce gaps that attackers can exploit. A well-aligned defensive line makes it easier to catch opposing forwards offside, preventing them from receiving the ball in dangerous positions. Additionally, this alignment helps defenders support each other, allowing for quick transitions and coordinated movements to tackle, intercept, and clear the ball.
Squeezing the Pitch
Additionally, Enzo Maresca always wants his team to squeeze the pitch when defending. This means constantly pushing the team up as much as possible. Every time the opponent plays a slow, sideways pass or a back pass, Chelsea’s first line of pressure pushes up, with the rest of the team following to stay compact. When the next pass comes, they push up even more, forcing the opponent back even more. They do this because it pushes the opponent further away from the Chelsea goal, making it harder to create chances.
High Press
Maresca usually wants to press the opposition high up the pitch. Their pressing structure will depend on the opposition, but they primarily want to have a +1 numerical advantage in the backline against the opposition forwards. This leaves the Chelsea attackers in a numerical disadvantage against the opposition backline, meaning one or two opposition defenders will always be open. The pressing striker will try to close these players off by making angled pressing runs, forcing the opposition to one side.
Transitions
Defensive Transitions
Positioning many players centrally, creating a numerical advantage in the midfield, creates good conditions in defensive transitions. Many players close to the ball after losing possession means that many players can work towards regaining possession. Maresca’s players are also very aggressive in the first seconds after losing the ball. The four or five players closest will immediately jump on the opposition player with the ball and close the distance to cut off any passing lanes. This approach disrupts the opponent’s transition from defense to attack, forcing errors and creating opportunities to regain control in dangerous areas.
Counterpressing like this keeps Chelsea on the front foot, allowing them to dominate possession and create more scoring opportunities. However, it requires exceptional fitness, tactical discipline, and teamwork.
Offensive Transitions
Enzo Maresca also wants his team to counterattack in their offensive transitions. When winning the ball back, the team transitions quickly from defense to attack, utilizing the speed and movement of their forward players. Maresca emphasizes vertical passes to exploit spaces left by the opposition, often targeting wide areas or gaps between defenders. Chelsea’s counterattacks are well-organized, with players making intelligent off-the-ball runs to create overloads and support the ball carrier. This quick, direct style catches opponents off guard, making Chelsea a dangerous team on the break. Additionally, Chelsea’s aggressiveness means they have many players high up when defending, which enables them to incorporate more players into the counterattacks.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach at Chelsea demonstrates a clear vision of modern, possession-based football. His emphasis on fluid formations, quick transitions, and intelligent positional play has brought a new dynamic to the team’s strategy. Maresca’s ability to adapt and make key in-game adjustments showcases his tactical understanding and knowledge of the game.
As Chelsea continues to evolve under his leadership, it is evident that Maresca’s ideas are taking shape, creating a balanced team capable of controlling games and exploiting opponents’ weaknesses. The tactical innovations analyzed here reflect the promising direction in which he is steering the club, setting the stage for success in the seasons to come.
