Chelsea: Tactical breakdown of UCL QF opponent Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid is know to line up in classic 4-3-3 formation. This is not expected to change when Los Blancos travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. The following analysis aims to take a deep dive into how Real Madrid presses, defends and attacks, along with suggestions as to how Chelsea and manager Thomas Tuchel can prepare for such tests:

Real Madrid’s approach to pressing

When Real Madrid chooses to press high, it implements a 3-3-1-3 shape in possession (see Diagram A below). This allows Los Blancos to press with a front four (Diagram B), often stifling the opposition in the build-up and forcing mistakes as a result. In order to keep compact, one of their fullbacks—typically the right back—tucks into midfield, creating a makeshift midfield three as shown in Diagram C. This trio in the middle of the park keeps moderate distance from each other, allowing one of Real Madrid’s back-three to press forward as a sweeper defensive midfielder (Diagram D). This makes it very difficult to progress play centrally from both short and long passes.

How can the Blues prepare to work around this press though? I believe Chelsea can get ready for this by setting up in a 3-4-2-1 in its build-up (Diagram E). This allows the Blues to match up against Real Madrid’s front press in a three-versus-three (Diagram F) and gain superiority in defensive midfield with a two-versus-one (Diagram G). How can Chelsea gain this superiority?

In order to do so, it is crucial that Chelsea’s front three continuously engages or holds Real Madrid’s midfield three as such. This allows space for the Blues’ two No. 6s to operate (Diagram H). Once the ball gets to Chelsea’s midfield pairing, it is vital that the home side takes advantage of Los Blancos’ lack of width by initiating wide runners. The Blues’ inside forward and striker should both get wide to achieve this as they become outlets on the wing (Diagram I). At this point, Chelsea gains access into Real Madrid’s final third, ultimately taking advantage of the high line.

Real Madrid’s set up in defense

When Real Madrid chooses to sit in a mid-low block, it implements a 4-1-4-1 shape (Diagram J). This completely overloads midfield, making central progression of play very difficult (Diagram K).

In this case, it is best that Chelsea creates wide overloads in order to play around Real Madrid’s defense. Here, despite Los Blancos having their winger and fullback in wide areas, an attacking wide overload would still be enough to force the ball into Real Madrid’s final third (Diagram L). At this point, it would be vital that the Blues move the ball quickly in order to take advantage of such small openings.

Real Madrid’s approach in attack

Despite setting up in a 4-3-3, Real Madrid utilizes a 3-1-3-3 in attack often times (Diagram M). This allows Ancelotti’s side to create a wide overload (Diagram N), which gives Los Blancos two options. Firstly, they can progress play through the wide overload or they can switch play via the outlets displayed in Diagram O, due to the symmetry of their shape.

In order to combat this, I believe Chelsea should defend using a 4-1-3-2 shape (Diagram P). This allows the Blues to have three players around talisman Karim Benzema in a three-versus-one situation (Diagram Q), get Real Madrid’s defensive midfielder out of the game with a two-versus-one (Diagram R) and man-mark further passing outlets (Diagram S). This also allows Chelsea to completely cover the opposing players, increasing the likelihood of winning possession back in midfield and inducing dangerous turnovers.

Conclusion

All in all, in order to successfully implement the above tactics, I believe Chelsea should line up using a 3-4-2-1 with the following personnel:

What do you think the best way for the Blues to combat Real Madrid tactically would be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!