Live Match Center: CSKA Moscow v Tottenham
By Ryan Wrenn
Half-time Thoughts
Tottenham look one-dimensional in the face of a rigid and organized CSKA defense.
Slutsky’s arranged his team in two rigid lines — defense and midfield — with Roman Eremenko and Lacina Traore up top waiting for outlet balls.
Tottenham’s 4-3-3 formation is taking advantage of the space afforded to them in the center of the pitch, but whenever the ball is moved into CSKA’s third they are hitting a figurative wall.
There are tried and true methods of getting past such walls.
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You can try to go around — stretch play and rely on full-backs or wingers to deliver lofted or drilled balls past the opposition defenders.
You can try to go over — loft balls over the heads of the opposition and try to find runners on your own team slipping through the lines.
On the basis of the first 45 minutes of this match, Tottenham are content to simply smash their heads against the wall until it gives.
Credit where credit is due: later in the half the visitors began to experiment with crossed balls and passes from deep. Much more often, though, Son or Lamela or Alli found themselves with the ball and simply tried to run through CSKA. Or, alternately, they tried one-twos with one another, only to find that their backheel flicks and hold up play weren’t getting them anywhere.
CSKA’s runs forward haven’t been any more fruitful, but they have at least tried to mix up things and caught Tottenham out. But for the grace of Alderweireld and Vertonghen, they might have even gotten through.
Pochettino will need to take the lesson here and try to come at CSKA from more than one angle when play resumes. He might also begin to consider subbing Alli if the 20-year-old can’t find a meaningful grip on the game before the 60th minute.