Ipswich Town 2:0 Chelsea - Tactical analysis & match report

Chelsea’s recent momentum in the Premier League came to a screeching halt as they suffered back-to-back defeats, the latest setback unfolding in a 2-0 loss against Ipswich Town. Kieran McKenna's side secured their first league victory of the season at Portman Road, showcasing a disciplined tactical display. This article breaks down the key tactical nuances and talking points from the match.

Chelsea’s In-Possession Strategies

Enzo Maresca deployed Chelsea in a 3-1-6 structure, similar to the setup used against Fulham. However, there was a slight adjustment: Marc Cucurella, the left-back, was tasked with holding width on the left, allowing João Félix to tuck into the left half-space. Additionally, Enzo Fernández operated as a central no.10, with Palmer and Félix occupying the half-spaces.

Despite dominating possession, Chelsea faced Ipswich’s 5-3-2 defensive block, which effectively limited their ability to exploit space between the lines. Ipswich’s compactness was key, as their wide central midfielders ensured Chelsea’s half-space players couldn’t operate freely. McKenna also employed a high defensive line, shrinking the space Chelsea could use to build attacks.

Ipswich’s Defensive Setup

The home team's defensive plan was both proactive and reactive. When Chelsea recycled possession deep, Ipswich often held their shape in a 4-4-2/5-3-2 formation. However, pressing triggers, such as a backward pass from a Chelsea center-back to the central defender, saw Ipswich transition into a man-to-man press.

The Blues had a numerical advantage in their defensive third during build-up and could bypass the press by involving their goalkeeper, creating a temporary 4-2 structure. Ipswich countered this by forcing Chelsea into long balls during goal kicks, knowing they had the aerial advantage.

Chelsea’s Attacking Efforts & Ipswich’s Offensive Transitions

The visitors created chances but struggled to convert. With a central 3v2 overload against Ipswich’s midfield, they occasionally accessed central areas when pressing distances or angles were imperfect. Crossing opportunities arose, but Chelsea’s lack of a dominant aerial presence limited their threat. Instead, cutbacks appeared to be a more effective option, particularly with Nkunku and Félix’s sharp movement in the box.

Offensively, the home side transitioned quickly through the thirds when Chelsea pressed high. In the lead-up to the penalty, Chelsea’s high press left them with a -1 disadvantage centrally. Enzo was overloaded in midfield, while Madueke failed to track Ipswich’s advancing left-back. This lapse allowed Liam Delap to exploit the space between Chelsea’s center-backs, leading to a decisive penalty.

When Ipswich had possession deeper, Chelsea’s man-oriented press forced long balls from the home side, who took all 13 of their goal kicks long. However, Ipswich’s ability to exploit individual errors and unforced turnovers ultimately gave them the edge.

Key Moments and Tactical Adjustments

In the second half, Chelsea aimed to pin Ipswich back with sustained possession. However, a careless pass from Axel Disasi in the offensive half triggered a swift Ipswich counterattack, resulting in their second goal. Chelsea had numerous chances to get back into the game, particularly through Félix and Palmer, but poor finishing let them down.

Maresca introduced Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, and Malo Gusto in an attempt to reshape the attack, with Nkunku shifting to the left half-space and Palmer playing centrally. However, Ipswich’s resolute low block after going 2-0 up proved difficult to penetrate.

The Blues' defensive frailties were evident. Their high press lacked coordination, as seen in the first goal. Additionally, individual mistakes, such as Disasi’s misplaced pass, undermined their efforts. These lapses, combined with Ipswich’s effective pressing transitions, highlighted areas where Chelsea must improve.

Conclusion

For Maresca, this 2-0 defeat marks three winless games in a row. While Chelsea created opportunities, their inability to finish and struggles against Ipswich’s low block were costly. Defensively, pressing inconsistencies and individual errors continue to plague the team.

Ipswich, on the other hand, capitalized on their chances and executed their game plan superbly. McKenna’s tactical acumen earned Ipswich their first home league win, a result that could serve as a turning point in their Premier League campaign.