Yes just realised there's an extra player for Real Sociedad 🤦‍♂️😂.

Full Clip 📽️

In fact, Valencia's goal comes from these positional changes - albeit from a Sociedad turnover. 1⃣ST + LM inside. 2⃣LM can attack space between opponent CB+FB. 3⃣Straight run, diagonal pass = goal!

Full Clip 📽️

1⃣Same positional set up. 2⃣LM inside & LB wide creates indecision. Opens simple pass inside. 3⃣Bounce pass through ST into LB and Valencia are out. 4⃣In - out - in pattern exploits space behind La Real's midfield line. Simple & effective.

Full Clip 📽️

1⃣LM moving inside and 2nd ST dropping into midfield. 2⃣Creates problems for Sociedad. Stay or follow? A bounce pass attracts & creates space behind. 3⃣Space is there but player on the ball doesn't pass. 4⃣As midfielder receives, this triggers another forward run from other ST.

However, Valencia had a couple of simple but effective positional adjustments that allowed them to control the ball and create problems for Sociedad. Let's have a look.

In theory, Valencia lined up in a 1-4-4-2 against Real Sociedad's 1-4-3-3.

⚫️Valencia vs Real Sociedad⚪️. Enjoyed watching some of Valencia's attacking vs Real Sociedad - even if it was a bit slow at times. Some quick observations around Coberan's simple positional switches when IP.

I’m not gonna complain about a win at Old Trafford. But that was one of the worst performances of the Arteta era. Thankfully Raya, Saliba & Gabriel were present.

There is no way Rice is completely fit. He’s literally strolling. Arsenal playing without a LCM.

Let me add to this:. Zubimendi and especially Rice, need to want the ball a lot more. I mean Rice is just being a facilitator - moving so people can receive or standing still. Too much quality to do that. Again, United leave so much space between/behind.

Good first half from United - a lot better than I expected. Suspect Arteta would like to improve 2 things:. ▪️The defensive set up. Arsenal are struggling against the 3-4-3. ▪️The build up. United's press isn't good enough to justify constantly having to go long.

Image 1 vs Image 2. Something for Chelsea to think about.

Here is an example of Zubimendi doing exactly what Tyler Adams should have done. Protect the space behind him:

The less said about his subsequent effort to defend Gakpo the better.

In simple terms, you need to protect the space between your FB and CB. 1⃣We can see that Adams sees the movement of Ekitike, but simply waves for the CB to follow. 2⃣His positioning should have allowed him to intercept that pass - or for it to not happen at all.

Speaking of Adams - my final point. Liverpool's 2nd goal was a masterclass in how NOT to defend deep as a CM. When the opponent is in a position to create, midfielders need to protect the space behind them/in front of the back line.

I'm sure Tyler Adams wouldn't agree with anyone saying Wirtz had a poor game. The American couldn't keep up with the high level movement of Wirtz.