Struggles in midfield and issues with shape: why Ireland were second best in Athens

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Struggles in midfield and issues with shape: why Ireland were second best in Athens
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Shane Keegan takes a look back at some of the tactical issues and key statistics from a disappointing night for Stephen Kenny’s side.

SHANE KEEGAN TAKES a look back at some of the tactical issues and key statistics on a disappointing night for Stephen Kenny’s side.

Evidently, this clearly didn’t work, confirmed by Kenny’s decision to replace Idah with Johnston at half time and switch shape. Midfield passing range I also expressed my concern on last week’s podcast that the Irish football public seemed to be unaware of the quality that this Greek side possessed and nowhere was that more evident than in the performances of both sides’ midfield units.

Ireland’s midfield on the other hand struggled more than ever before. Smallbone, in particular, seemed lost, playing only nine successful passes before his departure just before the hour mark. This is a common set up, but issues arise when Mavropanos – the centre back from the opposite side of the pitch – comes all the way across to offer himself as an option, forcing Idah to try and split the difference between the two centre halves, thus giving Chatzidiakos enough time and space to establish possession.

After a quick exchange of passes we see another feature of the Greek performance which was a constant all night, the big diagonal switch of play out of the pressure zone. Conclusion In truth, I found it hard to see any other outcome before kick-off other than the one we got.

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