The recent draw between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge was a tactical chess match. Both managers made crucial decisions that ultimately led to a stalemate. Among the many individual battles on the pitch, one stood out as particularly intriguing: the duel between Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
Saka, Arsenal’s talismanic winger, has been a thorn in the side of many Premier League defences. His ability to cut inside from the right flank and unleash devastating shots or create chances for his teammates has made him one of the most feared attackers in the league
However, in the match against Chelsea, Saka found himself uncharacteristically subdued. Much of the credit for this goes to Cucurella, whose tactical approach to defending Saka proved highly effective.
Cucurella’s strategy can be broken down into two key elements: early, physical engagement and strategic positioning
Early and Physical Engagement
From the outset, Marc Cucurella clarified that he would not give Saka an inch of space. He was aggressive in his challenges, often making contact with Saka as soon as he received the ball. This early pressure disrupted Saka’s rhythm and forced him to make quick decisions, preventing him from settling on the ball and dictating the play.
Rather than waiting for Saka to receive the ball and then attempting to react, Marc Cucurella was proactive in his approach. He anticipated Saka’s movements and got tight to him, making it difficult for the Arsenal winger to turn and run at the Chelsea defence.
Dean Scoggins, a tactical expert for The Sun Sport, highlighted the effectiveness of this approach, noting that Cucurella “gets to him [Saka] as he receives the ball, not after he’s received the ball.” This early contact prevented Saka from executing his trademark move, the “Saka-Haja,” where he receives the ball and cuts inside on his left foot.
Strategic Positioning: Conceding the Line, Denying the Cut
Cucurella’s positioning was equally crucial in nullifying Saka’s threat. Instead of trying to show Saka down the line, as traditional defending might dictate, Marc Cucurella adopted a more unconventional approach. He started from a narrow position, effectively giving Saka the outside channel but denying him the space to cut inside.
Scoggins explains this tactic: “Cucurella has started with a narrow position and allowed Saka to have the space outside of him and then says, ‘We’ll have a race.'” This calculated risk played to Cucurella’s strengths. While Saka is undoubtedly quick, Cucurella is no slouch himself. By forcing Saka wide, he minimized the danger of the Arsenal winger cutting in on his stronger left foot.
This approach was a departure from the usual defensive strategy employed against inverted wingers. Typically, defenders would try to force such players onto their weaker foot and down the line, but Cucurella’s tactic recognized the threat Saka still posed even when forced wide.
Cucurella’s positioning had the added benefit of creating traffic in the central areas, making it harder for Saka to find passing options. With Pedro Netto providing defensive support on the left flank, and players like Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia covering the inside channels, Saka was effectively boxed in.
The Effectiveness of Cucurella’s Tactics
The impact of Cucurella’s defensive masterclass was evident in Saka’s subdued performance. He was unable to influence the game as he usually does, finding himself limited to a few crosses and shots from difficult angles.
The statistics from the match further underscore Cucurella’s success. Saka completed only one dribble and had a limited impact in the final third. His heatmap showed that he was largely restricted to the wide areas and was unable to penetrate the Chelsea defence.
A Blueprint for Future Matches?
Cucurella’s performance against Saka provides a potential blueprint for future matches against Arsenal and other teams with dangerous wingers. By combining early, physical engagement with strategic positioning, defenders can disrupt the rhythm of these attackers and limit their impact on the game.
However, it’s important to note that Cucurella’s success was not solely down to his individual brilliance. He benefited from the collective defensive effort of the Chelsea team, particularly the support provided by Neto and the midfielders.
Moreover, replicating this tactical approach against other wingers requires a nuanced understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Not every winger possesses the same combination of pace, dribbling ability, and shooting prowess as Saka.
Potential Adjustments and Challenges
While Cucurella’s tactics were highly effective against Saka, there is always room for adjustment and improvement. As Arsenal and other teams analyze Chelsea’s approach, they will undoubtedly seek ways to counter it.
One potential challenge for Chelsea could be the return of key players to the Arsenal squad. The presence of players like Gabriel Jesus or Raheem Sterling could force Cucurella to adjust his positioning or risk being overloaded.
Furthermore, teams might instruct their wingers to make runs in behind Cucurella, exploiting the space he vacates when he steps up to engage. This would require the Chelsea centre-backs to be alert and provide cover.
Conclusion
Marc Cucurella’s tactical success against Bukayo Saka was a testament to his defensive intelligence and the collective defensive effort of the Chelsea team. His combination of early, physical engagement and strategic positioning proved highly effective in nullifying the threat of one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers.
While replicating this approach against other wingers will require careful consideration and potential adjustments, Cucurella’s performance provides a valuable blueprint for defenders seeking to neutralize the threat of inverted wingers. As tactical battles continue to evolve in the Premier League, Cucurella’s masterclass against Saka serves as a reminder that individual brilliance and strategic thinking can often tip the scales in a team’s favour.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine