In the last analysis presented in Marca (top spanish sports journal), we analyzed one of the most exciting football promises: Erling Haaland. The 19-year-old Borussia Dormund striker sounds for several teams, including Real Madrid. He has a current market value -according to Transfermarkt- of 72 million euros and is one of the great sensations of this season.
FUNDAMENTALS THAT HAALAND ACOMPLISHES
Individual Forward fundamentals
Block: Wide Crosses
Changing direction to lose marker to finish crosses
A key fundamental to beat the opposing defender when he defends us individually inside the area, to take him where we want and instantly end up changing the direction to take advantage of the space generated and thus finish with an advantage.
Haaland is a player who has internalized this fundamental very well, as we have observed in countless goals scored.
* Important fundamental in a team looking for a pure 9 inside the area capable of achieving shooting situations with astonishing ease.
Block: Mobilize the attack
Dismarking in direction to the goal through taking the back of the CB (diagonal unmarked runs)
Haaland’s mastery of this fundamental shows us through the following 3 key points:
- Reading to see if the teammate with the ball is in a position to pass into space.
- See if there is enough room behind the opponent’s defensive line.
- Mark very well the times of when to start the dismarking and in what direction.
* Very important fundamental to dominate when we face teams that defend in high or middle block.
Block: Mobilize the attack
Find a vertical progression to give continuity to the attack + Give passes with advantage
Erling Haaland is not only a great scorer, but also a great assistant. He masters both fundamentals very well, identifying teammates who have a greater advantage than him while dribbling, always choosing the option that generates more danger, and offering them good passes so that they can take advantage of them without having to stop their movements. This aspect defines him as a striker who is not at all selfish and seeks the collective good of the squad.
* Important in a team that has an associative game model and incorporates the attack of several players, not just the striker.
Block: Defending the space
Preventing the progression of the CB driving with the ball
The young Norwegian striker not only has great offensive potential, but he is also actively involved in defensive tasks, deciding well on how and when to jump to press.
This fundamental shows us that when a center-back tries to progress through dribbling the ball, the center-forward is the first person in charge to assure that he does not pass it forwards, exerting pressure when the possessor enters his zone, and always avoiding being overcome by the center back.
* Important in a team that looks for situations of high pressure and involvement of its forwards.
SUMMARY OF THE ANALYSIS
- Fundamentals of looking for a vertical progression to give continuity to the attack + Give passes with advantage Ability to assist teammates and increase scoring opportunities.
- Fundamentals of: Changing direction to lose marker to finish crosses
Ability to generate action situations within the area.
- Fundamentals of: Preventing the progression of the CB driving with the ball Ability to help the team defend and pose high pressure situations.
- Fundamentals of: Dismarking in direction to the goal through taking the back of the CB Ability to break defensive lines and find hand-to-hand situations with the goalkeeper
