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UEFA Europa League Final 2024/2025 – Tactical Analysis & Defence-First Tactics To Avoid Relegation
Today, we have a post-match tactical analysis article of the 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United along with a tactical theory piece focusing on defence-first tactics to avoid relegation like St. Pauli in the Bundesliga and Getafe in La Liga.
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Today’s TFA Posts ⚽
Tottenham Hotspur have lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy following a 1-0 win over Manchester United.
In addition to the silverware, this win grants Tottenham participation in next season’s UEFA Champions League despite finishing in the 17th spot in the Premier League—a remarkable achievement for the team this season.
In fact, they broke the record of the teams winning European trophies while holding poor spots in their league standings since no team have ever won a European trophy while being 17th in their own league.
On the other hand, Manchester United suffered a very painful defeat that deepened their continuous crisis.
They finished the season in 16th spot and, obviously, will not participate in Europe next season.
This tactical analysis article will cover the match from two angles: Exploring Tottenham’s defensive organisation/tactics and how they managed to limit Manchester United’s threats, and identifying Manchester United’s playmaking and attacking issues.
Sir Alex Ferguson once said, ‘Attack wins games, defence wins titles’.
However, for coaches like Alexander Blessin and Jose Pepe Bordalás, who are not in the ideal position to win titles with their current teams, the legendary quote can be changed to ‘attack wins you games, defence keeps you in the league’.
Well, playing defence may be the normal way for a bottom-half team to stay in the league.
That was true of St. Pauli and Getafe, the clubs of Blessin and Bordalás.
But context matters.
Take this simple data, for example: St. Pauli have the second-best goalscoring record in the Bundesliga, behind only Bayern Münich.
Meanwhile, Getafe are third in La Liga, with better defensive records than Real Madrid or Barcelona.
They do it not only by playing defensive football but also by being a clever defensive team.
They know they don’t have the resources or interest to play an attacking brand of football, so they choose to be a defence-first team.
Interestingly, they also have different approaches to defending.
This article will explain how Kiezkicker and Geta Azulones are staving off relegation this season by playing a defensive game.
TFA Archives 📆
Napoli sit first in Serie A with 79 points, just one point ahead of Inter Milan heading into the final matchday.
It’s a must-win game to secure the title.
We break down Antonio Conte’s tactics ahead of this crucial clash in this tactical analysis.
Inter Milan must beat Como today and hope Napoli drop points to win the title—odds not in their favour.
We break down Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 tactics powering their 2024/25 campaign in this tactical analysis.
Valencia sit 12th and could finish 10th with a win today.
Carlos Corberán was brought in to avoid relegation but has transformed the club’s form.
We break down his tactics and impact in this tactical analysis.
