Tuchel changes tactics, Hakim Ziyech takes advantage

DBasia.news – Thomas Tuchel is not a tactical poor coach and he proved this at Chelsea. The game of the defending champion of the Champions League and European Super Cup was read by opponents with 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 tactics.

Tuchel also changed it to 4-3-3 and the change in tactics was a blessing for several players, one of whom was Hakim Ziyech. The “witch” from Morocco is back playing in his best position as a winger.

In the three-back tactic, Ziyech is sometimes a winger in a 3-4-3 formation and an attacking midfielder in a 3-4-2-1 strategy, but the former Ajax Amsterdam player also has a defensive role and retreats deep into the midfield.

His movement from the middle is not ideal for left-footed players as Ziyech’s creativity is only seen when he plays closer to the opponent’s penalty box. Tuchel’s 4-3-3 tactic seemed to be applied to accommodate Ziyech’s game.

Chelsea won 1-0 over Crystal Palace in the London Derby on week 26 of the Premier League at Selhurst Park, Saturday (19/02) night WIB. Patrick Vieira’s Palace held up well for Chelsea and made it difficult for the visitors.

Chelsea dominated with 58% of the ball, having nine shots (three on target), and they were able to limit Palace to not having a single shot on target.

In the end, Ziyech scored the winner for Chelsea in the 89th minute after receiving feedback from Marcos Alonso. His goal further strengthened the revival of his performance in the second half of this season.

Last season Ziyech had a challenging first season, struggling to make an impact playing under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel. In 39 games across all competitions, Ziyech played 1,900 minutes (an average of 49 minutes per game).

In Ziyech’s 28th game of the season he reached 1,792 minutes (64 minutes per game) and scored seven goals. His performance was getting better with Chelsea’s 4-3-3 tactic and Ziyech was closer to the penalty box as a winger.

Against Palace during 90 minutes of play, Ziyech touched the ball 77 times, the third most of any Chelsea player, two more than Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva. The number of kicks is also more (three), the second most for touching the ball in the opponent’s defense (five times), and the most successful dribbling of the ball past the opponent (four times).

Ziyech also made 18 passes in the defensive third, as well as many passes (nine). Ziyech had a chance to provide a cross that was converted into a goal by Romelu Lukaku, but the goal was disallowed by VAR.

Ziyech’s seven goals are also just behind Jorginho’s nine and Lukaku’s 10 this season. Ziyech admits it is not easy to adapt, but he is trying to do it together with his teammates.

“It was a tough game with only a small number of chances. Then the best feeling is to score in the last minute,” Ziyech told Match of the Day.

“It may be difficult for players to adapt to something new, but that’s what we have to do as players and be as professional as possible. In the end it’s all about results.”

“Of course it’s challenging, but that’s why you play football, to win trophies. That’s what we’re trying to do, win two of these seasons and still have four more.”