Chelsea vs Middlesbrough: Tactical Analysis

Aggressive Clinical Performance

Chelsea lined up in a very attacking 4-2-3-1 formation with Chilwell back at LB (interesting role). Sterling and Mudryk were on the wings, and Palmer started centrally. Meanwhile, Middlesborough lined up in their usual 3-4-3 as they played in the last game against us where they produced a staunch defensive performance.

Middlesbrough obviously came to frustrate Chelsea by playing in a tight low block and the onus was on Chelsea to at least score 2 goals to get to the final. Chelsea started the build-up with a flexible build-up shape which is not new to what we have seen this season, a 3-1, 4-1, 3-2 shape with the constant of Caicedo at the base.

Chilwell and Enzo tried to support him at times as both were rotating between the Left half space and being beside Caicedo. Chilwell, Mudryk and Enzo kept rotating positions. It was unpredictable the positions they took up and we created good chances from it as Chilwell could make unchecked runs in behind.

Chilwell and Enzo especially as they had their cue of when to occupy the LHS (left half space). They had a good understanding of it too so they don’t clash. It was effective and it made it harder for Middlesbrough to pick them up.

Palmer also dropped deep at times to provide another option to Caicedo. It was fluid in that sense.

Chelsea were patient when trying to break down Middlesbrough, but you could see the ideas that they were trying to break Boro down.

Long balls

Chelsea played arguably their best Passing CBs from the start in Silva and Colwill, and they were given licence to play in the runs from the forward players, especially Chilwell and Sterling (who made the most runs in behind). It was very much on as Middlesbrough at times put up a fairly Highline.

Pressing and Counter-pressing

From the start, you can see how refreshed this break made Chelsea untill the end of the game. The press was very compact and aggressive when Middlesborough also tried to play out of the back at most opportunities, and Chelsea got loads of joy from that as it also contributed to our goals.

Chelsea pressed in a 4-1-4-1 formation to try to cover Boro's pivot. Mudryk, Sterling and Noni chose the times to jump to the CBs so that the fullback on that side jumped out to Boro's fullbacks. Broja led it well with intensity.

When we lost the ball in attack, the players swarmed like bees towards the player with the ball because the right zones were filled. It wasn’t easy at first as with the 4-1 we left lots of space in between the defence and attack, and Middlesbrough got some joy in trying to get up the pitch when they won the ball.

Middlesbrough also caused problems when they could break out of the press and find men in the wide areas, as I’ve said a lot on this, it’s a way you can get at Chelsea.

It improved after 10 minutes when we became more of a 3-2-5/3-1-6, it was much easier and more effective to win the ball back. Colwill starting at CB was a big factor as he was the aggressor mostly closing up the space in between the defence and midfield when Chelsea lost the ball.

Cutbacks

We have seen in recent weeks the number of times we try to implement lots of cutbacks as it is a way Poch wants us to score. As apparent in goal 2, what we did very well was flood the box well to take advantage of the cutbacks.

We also created chances by cutting through the heart of Middlesbrough using the half-spaces - Palmer and Enzo made good use of it, and Carney Chukwuemeka too when he came on linked well from those spaces.

When we killed the game in the first half, the 2nd half was just about not exerting too much energy and trying to control the game. The intensity off the ball though was still high but we did well to add more to it for our highest win of the season. 6 goals out of 6 shots on target, excluding the own goal, meant it was a clinical performance.

Onto Wembley!

Seun