What’s in Jose’s mind?: An article explaining the mysteries of Mourinho’s tactics
What’s in Jose’s mind?
Ok let’s be honest. Everyone is trying to find the secret behind the mastermind of Inter’s success. The huge “why” he is so successful? The “why” he is a genius with tactics? Easy to find the “why”? No really, no. In the following article I will try to explain Mourinho’s tactic in the matches against Barcelona and Bayern, which is where Mourinho really showed his class. I am not sure if I could achieve my target, but at least it worths trying.
Let’s begin with Mourinho’s style of play. Pretty well-known. Or not? Mourinho is someone who’s playing football of purpose. Not actually Catenaccio. Why not Catenaccio? Inter-Chievo Verona 4-3, that’s why. He is not the one who will give much unnecessary freedom to his players. He always want the result, and he will do whatever it takes to take it. But really, is it easy to understand Jose’s playing style? If I am gonna ask you “what’s his tactic?” I will list a couple of different options. Is he playing a 4-3-3? Maybe a 4-2-3-1? What exactly is Mourinho’s style of play? Let start with some theories:
Analysing the theories of how Mourinho approaches the game
4-2-3-1? Maybe. Why?
Let’s begin at looking his first match again Barcelona, 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 1 attacking midfielder, 1 right attacking midfielder, 1 striker and 1 hmm, was Pandev ML or AML? Mourinho had to find a way to keep Dani Alves outside of Inter’s area, and Pandev gave him his way. He kept away Dani Alves, and gave many attacking solutions. I can say that he was more than an AML rather than ML, but the thing here wasn’t entirely his position, but what Mourinho said to him, and what he said is pretty much what I said before.
Now let’s see if it was a 4-2-3-1 asymmetrical. Maybe again. Why?
Now we are gonna examine the second match against Barcelona. How did he started the match? 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 1 attacking midfielder, 1 left midfielder, 1 right attacking midfielder and 1 striker. Here we can’t be sure about where Chivu started. He was an ML or a WBL? I intend to believe that he started as an ML but then he changed. And of course he changed to DM due to Motta’s red card. And Eto’o came to left, Sneijder stayed were he was, and Milito came to right. With both Eto’o and Milito having instructions of getting in attack when they could.
4-3-3? I say no. Why? Let’s see.
If you check some things you will say that Mourinho’s Inter tactic was similar to Mourinho’s Chelsea tactic. NO. In Chelsea Mourinho had: 2 DMs, 1 AMC, 1 AMR-1 AML, and 1 striker. Where’s the difference? The difference is in players. If you remember the AMR/AML in Chelsea was Duff/Gudjohnsen/Joe Cole. Players born to be second strikers/wingers. In Inter Mourinho had mainly Eto’o/Pandev. Players born to be attackers. But Mourinho made them to run for the football, to care about the team. So 4-3-3, like Chelsea 4-3-3 no, like 4-2-3-1 yes.
Conclusion
Final Conclusion? 4-2-3-1.
That’s Mourinho’s view of football. And if you need proof that says that I am right about this theory you just have to check the match against Bayern.
4 DFs, 2 DMs, 1 AMR, 1 AML, 1 AMC, 1 Striker. But in this match all was about two things. The amazing finishing of Milito and the master Sneijder. He was a key player for Inter’s success. And to say the truth if you looked carefully the game Sneijder was also close for being a AML, and Milito was filling space by moving a bit right. This was the key that unlocked Bayern’s defence. And of course the proper defence. Mourinho knew that Zanetti’s huge experience would have helped Inter in he played as an DM, and closing to Muller and Altintop. If you remember both Muller and Altintop never showed up on field. Know let’s go to the other side. Did anyone remember how bad was Robben that day? Wanna know the reason? Chivu and Cambiasso. Robben is always trying to dribble and try to shoot, so he can score, but he never achieved to shoot. Both Chivu and Cambiasso was closing early to him so he won’t have the opportunity to shoot.
Reading all these you probably understand what the secret behind Mourinho’s successes is. Check the last paragraph once again.
Yes. There was never one player trying to do something. When Robben got the ball , Chivu and Cambiasso was closing up to him. When Sneijder got the ball Milito and Eto’o were moving forward. It’s all about teamwork here. And even if you see Mourinho like an ego-maniac, you can say that he is a lover of teamwork.
Giving the final words
Closing this article about Mourinho, could I make some predictions about what he will do at Real Madrid?
Expecting an 4-2-3-1, with his 4 defenders be Ramos-Albiol-Pepe-transfer, his 2 defensive midfielders probably Xabi Alonso-L. Diarra, his AMR C. Ronaldo, his AML a transfer that he would probably do, his AMC Kaka, and for striker Higuain/Benzema.
Some other theories that I have is that the may move C. Ronaldo as an AML, and Higuain as an AMR. But summer is close. We will see his signings and then we could judge him properly.
Hope you enjoyed reading this, I have putted a lot of effort to reading articles from zonalmarking.net and remembering the matches that I saw so I can write for you a good and full article.
For any complains/ideas/comments post here.
P.S It may come also as an FM-Tactic. Depends on you and if you like it. Eto’o were moving forward. It’s all about teamwork here. And if you see Mourinho like an ego-maniac, you can say that he is a lover of teamwork.
One Comment on "What’s in Jose’s mind?: An article explaining the mysteries of Mourinho’s tactics"
You ask what Jose’s tactics are? Well that all depends on the opposition. Jose is a lover of the fine details, he keeps long notes on the opposition he knows their strengths and weaknesses and goes about trying to stop them. So his tactics are forever changing depending on who he is playing. Even in the two games that you have mentioned, The Barca game and Bayern game his tactics were completely different in the two games.
Taking Barca as an example, over the two legs he played completely differently. Pandev as an AML looking to work hard, win the ball from Alves high up the field and putting pressure on him by being an attacking presence. He looked to counter well and it worked taking a 3-1 win and stunning Barca. Although Pandev didn’t particularly play well in the game and maybe the reason why Chivu was favoured (although he was a late change in that game) But nevertheless the fact that Alves needed to check Pandev more often meant that he was less likely to get forward. Jose knew that Barca like to be patient with the ball and build up coming forward, so he let them. Hitting the direct on the counter because he knew Snijeder would have of space up the field.
In the 2nd leg, he was in the lead which meant that he just needed to stop Barca. Ibra was playing up front so he knew that his two DC’s were always going to battle them in the air and dominate for the whole of the game. He wanted Barca to have the ball, because what Barca wanted to do with the the ball is drag Inter out and find space behind for Messi and Pedro. But shape was the most important thing here, it was so hard to break down the disciplined Inter side and they could have the ball as much as they wanted but if they couldn’t put in that killer penetration pass they just resorted to long shots, perfect for Inter who didn’t need to attack. Chivu played a ML role in this game, mainly because he isn’t an attacking player, the whole team was looking to sit deeper and defend, while when he did attack he got the ball up quickly to Eto’o, Sneijder and Milito.
Against though we could also describe a 4-4-1-1 Eto’o and Pandev had a largely defensive roles for Inter helping out in keeping control of the wings where Bayern looked to dominate, while the two DMC would make it hard for the likes of Robben to cut inside. Sneijder played well in the middle and as you say was key. He could collect the ball from midfield or for direct quick counter attacks and get himself forward and put in a playmakers pass to Milito or often getting himself forward and supporting Milito in attack. This confused Bayern and they found it difficult to pick up Wesley and he had too much space and took advantage of it.
Gareth has down a whole series of articles looking at Jose and Real that might be interesting to reading along this subject and how to translate it to FM.
Jose can play attacking when he wants, defend when it is needed but as you say its all about winning. He is the special one, he put together a side that was committed with giving alot of love to them (scenes of Chivu crying shows you how much love) he managed to turn a stroppy striker who has complained at other clubs for playing a less attacking position. He does this for Jose with no problems. He has them organised, they know their roles in the team and they are amazing in defence by keeping their shape and have so much talent up front they have an technically gifted playmaker/2nd striker and a composed brilliant finisher in Milito acting as a poacher.
Spot on, as a firm believer of Mourinho tactics this post was insightful. What’s more interesting is that fact that Mourinho doesn’t employ world-class players in every position, who knew of Milito before Mourinho?
What all of his players have in common is determination, teamwork, energy, strength, positional awareness, heart, desire. The list can goes on but you get my point. Chuck in 1 or 2 playmakers and you have a team capable of winning anything, alas Porto.