Pragmatism and Set Plays Could be Decisive Factor in World Cup Success

 Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images
Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images
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Pragmatism and Set Plays Could be Decisive Factor in World Cup Success

 Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images
Poland’s Grzegorz Krychowiak (right) heads home from a free-kick in their defeat against Senegal. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Have you noticed that England are all the rage in Russia and I’m not talking about their clothes, their social media trending or the positive vibes which continue to come out of Gareth Southgate’s camp? No, England’s victory over Tunisia in their opening match was significant of the tactical fashion statement that has taken over this World Cup in the group stages.

Both Harry Kane’s goals were the result of set-piece plays and if you look at the defining moments in many games they have mainly come from dead-ball situations. Kane’s last-gasp winning goal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding free-kick against Spain and Luis Suárez’s crucial winning effort for Uruguay v Saudi Arabia have been swayed by the way teams set up defensively and offensively in these situations.

In fact, of the 38 goals scored in the opening round of matches 21 of them (53%) were scored from set-play situations, a huge increase on the overall figure at the last World Cup (25%). You could argue it is a smaller sample of games to compare, but the fact that VAR has been incorporated for the first time has completely affected the way teams are defending corners and wide free-kicks, as is the fact that more penalties are being awarded for shirt pulling and overly aggressive defending from these situations (except in England’s case against Tunisia).

Psychologically you can see that defenders are more aware of this and I see that this is leading to more and more chances coming from set plays, making the importance of organisation in these areas more crucial than ever. In England’s case, it was encouraging to see that the setups of their attacking set plays were clearly choreographed and designed to maximise the opportunities to score against Tunisia’s zonal defence.

Instead of inswinging corners and wide free‑kicks towards Tunisia’s zone, the cross was either outswinging or driven, resulting in two goals, more chances and a handful of instances where Tunisia players should have been penalised in their desperate, physical defending of these situations. It will be interesting to see how they continue to use set-play routines in the games to come.

The contrasting tactical styles of play from different nations is fantastic to watch and learn from at this World Cup, as is the fact that nearly every game has been competitive and too close to call. As the tournament proceeds into the later rounds, I’m sure there will be more excitement and tension.

Overall, the opening matches have not disappointed in terms of entertainment, passion and drama. Whether it’s been the grit and determination of Switzerland, Iceland and Iran against more talented opponents, the explosive counterattacking play of Mexico, the fundamental, beautiful, collaborative play of Spain, or the reliance of Portugal on the individual genius of Cristiano Ronaldo, all the teams have brought their own concept and idea of how football should be played and performed. It shows there is no right or wrong way to play this wonderful sport and that if every player believes in his own team’s philosophy and stays true to the collective plan, their chances of success are greatly increased.

I have been fascinated and impressed by the performances of the so-called lesser football nations who in terms of tactical organisation, fitness and a pride in wearing their national colours are standing up to the bigger sides, refusing to believe that football history and the superstars they are performing against mean they have no chance of gaining a positive result.

So far, the standard of every side, even Panama in the first half against Belgium, has meant that it has not been easy for teams to open up the lower-ranked nations in open play, due to the diligent organisation of the team unit and the improved athleticism of these players to not just sit back in a low block and soak up pressure but also to cover long distances at speed to pose a threat on the counterattack when they win the ball back in their own half.

As a result I’m seeing a tactical trend that will make all the difference to who will lift the trophy in a tournament that is seemingly wide open. Will it be the possession-based football and expansive play of Germany, Croatia, Spain or Brazil? Will it be the youth, energy and physical dynamism of England, Belgium, Mexico or Senegal? Or the reliance on defensive shape and tactical organisation based around the match‑winners in Portugal’s and Uruguay’s teams?

Given what we have seen with set plays it could come down more to the pragmatic, coachable and controllable than to each team’s style in open play, something that is so important at every level and is often the difference between a whole country rejoicing and celebrating their team’s success for years to come or crying into their beer and waiting another four years for the chance to be crowned world champions.

Still, history has taught us that the performances of the top players can make a difference and we have certainly yet to see the best of Leo Messi, Neymar and Antoine Griezmann, unlike the imperious play of Ronaldo. It’s too early to call what or who will be the most influential factor in deciding Russia 2018, but the effect of the dead ball thus far suggests that the teams going into the knockout stages will be those who are on trend.

The Guardian Sport



Alcaraz Struggles with Stomach Issue in Loss to Ruud at ATP Finals

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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Alcaraz Struggles with Stomach Issue in Loss to Ruud at ATP Finals

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz waves to his fans at the end of the singles tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Norway's Casper Ruud, at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Carlos Alcaraz struggled with a stomach issue and looked far from the player who won two Grand Slams this year while losing to Casper Ruud 6-1, 7-5 at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday.
It marked Ruud’s first victory over Alcaraz in five career meetings, and the result could make it difficult for Alcaraz to advance from the round-robin stage at the season-ending event for the top eight players.
“I didn’t feel well on court,” Alcaraz said. “A few days before coming here, I got sick at home. ... This morning, I feel uncomfortable in the stomach.”
In the same group, Alexander Zverev began his bid for a third ATP Finals title by beating Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4.
The top two finishers from each group advance to the semifinals.
On Sunday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz beat Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev, respectively, in the other group.
Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon to boost his career total to four Grand Slam titles. But he also struggled at the Paris Masters recently and dropped behind Zverev to No. 3 in the rankings this week.
“I have no experience playing on indoor courts,” The Associated Press quoted Alcaraz as saying. “I’ll be a really good player on indoor courts, I’m sure about it. But I think it’s about time, about getting experience. ... A lot of players are better than me on indoor court.”
Ruud reached the 2021 semifinals and 2022 final in his first two appearances at the finals. But he has struggled recently, too, losing his first or second match in his last seven events.
“I’m not full of confidence,” Ruud said. “A match like today might be able to change it.”
Alcaraz was broken when he served for the second set at 5-4.
Alcaraz led 25-16 in winners but committed 26 unforced errors to Ruud’s 10.
Ruud converted all four of his break points while Alcaraz was just one of six in that category.
“I’m tired mentally," Alcaraz said. "Obviously a lot of matches, really tight schedule, really demanding year with not too many days off.”
Zverev rolling after Paris Masters title Zverev, who won the finals in 2018 in London and 2021 in Turin, extended his winning streak to six matches following a title run at the Paris Masters.
Rublev is making his fifth consecutive appearance at the finals but hasn’t won a match at the event since 2022.
Zverev served nine aces and dropped only 10 points on his serve in 10 service games.
“He served wide 220 (kph) on the deuce side,” Rublev said. "Normally everybody serves slice and it’s 190. He find(s) a way to serve 220 wide on the deuce side. It’s not easy.
“Even if you catch the direction, when the flat serve comes 227, slice serve comes 219, 215, it’s tough to just see the ball.”
Sinner receives No. 1 trophy Before the Zverev-Rublev match, Sinnner received the trophy for finishing the year at No. 1 in the rankings.
“There’s no place better to celebrate this trophy,” Sinner said as his mom, Siglinde, looked on in tears. “Thanks for all of your support.”
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September. A final ruling in the case is expected early next year.