Chelsea continued their impressive unbeaten run in the Conference League with a commanding 5-1 victory over Irish club Shamrock Rovers. The game was highlighted by a hat trick from youngster Marc Guiu, who clinched his first treble in Chelsea blue. This analysis delves into the tactical nuances that shaped the match and how Chelsea capitalized on key moments.
Shamrock Rovers’ Bold Defensive Strategy
Despite the clear disparity in personnel quality, Shamrock Rovers approached the game with boldness and intensity. Their defensive strategy involved pressing the Blues' build-up phase with intelligence and energy. Using a front three, Shamrock pressed Chelsea’s back four (including the goalkeeper) and defensive midfielder.
The strategy involved using a front 3 to press Chelsea's back 4 (including the GK) + CDM. They'd initially sit off until their pressing trigger - a sideways pass to the wide Chelsea CB.
The Shamrock CM would jump up to prepare for a press transition from a zonal to man-to-man.… pic.twitter.com/rrCgPMfi5b
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) December 20, 2024
Their pressing triggers were carefully calibrated—a sideways pass to one of CFC's wide center-backs initiated a transition from zonal to man-to-man pressing. The central midfielders stepped forward aggressively to disrupt the home team's rhythm. This hybrid press aimed to force errors but inevitably left a free man in Chelsea’s build-up due to numerical superiority.
Shamrock also showcased their willingness to jump out of their mid-block into a m2m press to pounce on moments of individual error. pic.twitter.com/Rt320lH6ip
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) December 20, 2024
Chelsea’s Build-Up and Exploitation
Chelsea, with their ball-playing defenders, capitalized on the gaps in the visitors' press. Building up in a 4-1-4-1 shape, they had a numerical advantage in the first phase, particularly with goalkeeper involvement. The addition of Filip Jørgensen created a 6v4 scenario, enabling the Blues to bypass Shamrock’s press efficiently.
Chelsea’s ability to construct short passing sequences allowed them to progress the ball into the middle third. Christopher Nkunku’s movement, often dropping deep to link play, added another dimension to Chelsea’s transitions.
When Chelsea had possession in the middle third, they'd settle into a 3-1-6 formation - similar to the one we saw against Brentford last Sunday. Following was the composition of the team:
- Acheampong at RCB, Disasi, CCB, Veiga LCB.
- Casadei as the lone pivot.
- George LW,… pic.twitter.com/3STZJuotFY
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) December 20, 2024
Overloading the Final Third
In the middle third, Chelsea transitioned into a 3-1-6 structure, similar to their approach against Brentford. The back three comprised Josh Acheampong, Axel Disasi, and Renato Veiga, with Cesare Casadei operating as the lone pivot. Ahead of them, Chelsea overloaded Shamrock’s defensive line with a six-man attacking unit.
The wingers, Tyrique George and Noni Madueke, combined with attacking midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Cucurella to exploit wide areas. This system created numerical superiority in the final third, stretching Shamrock’s backline and creating openings for incisive passes or crosses.
Meanwhile, Shamrock settled into a 5-2-3/5-3-2 mid-block to compact the center of the pitch whilst pressing aggressively when Chelsea tried to access the half-spaces and flanks. It could also look like a 5-4-1 if the wide attacking midfielders were pinned back.
Hence, the Blues… pic.twitter.com/n6l7RHlVWF
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) December 20, 2024
Breaking the Deadlock
Chelsea’s first goal came from testing Shamrock’s high defensive line. A long pass from Veiga, inadvertently flicked on by a Shamrock defender, set up Guiu to capitalize and open the scoring. While wide play was a recurring theme, Chelsea also carefully chose moments to penetrate through the center when gaps appeared.
During Shamrock's build-up, they set-up in a 4-2 + the GK. Members of the front 4 were also willing to drop to provide further support in the first phase as Chelsea's press was intense and caused high turnovers.
Hence, they'd often choose to take their goal kicks long to… pic.twitter.com/lCScDnQe1i
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) December 20, 2024
On the ball, the away team adopted a 4-2 build-up shape with occasional support from their attacking players dropping deep. However, Chelsea’s intense pressing caused frequent turnovers, forcing Shamrock to resort to long balls to bypass the risk of losing possession in their defensive third. This directness proved beneficial, as it led to the corner from which they scored their only goal. The sequence was initiated by a quick transition following a turnover in the middle third.
However, Chelsea's first goal came from testing Shamrock's defensive line height, with an initial Veiga pass in-behind being flicked on by a Shamrock player before Guiu stepped in to capitalize.pic.twitter.com/omZDX03VM1
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) December 20, 2024
Pressing and Counter-Pressing Dynamics
Chelsea’s pressing was a standout feature of the match. In the middle third, they settled into a 4-4-2 shape before transitioning into a man-to-man press when necessary. High-press scenarios saw Chelsea employ a -1 approach, with wingers curving their runs to press center-backs while Guiu harried the goalkeeper.
This relentless pressing played a role in Guiu’s second goal. The forward’s energy and ability to force errors underlined Chelsea’s effectiveness in winning the ball high up the pitch.
The willingness to attack through the middle when opportunities arose, as discussed previously, paid dividends. The move leading to the third goal scored by Dewsbury-Hall was initiated by a pass from Disasi through the middle for Nkunku.pic.twitter.com/uZ7MPUevbC
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) December 20, 2024
Chelsea’s third goal, scored by Dewsbury-Hall, highlighted their versatility. The move began with a central pass from Disasi to Nkunku, showcasing their ability to attack through the middle when opportunities arose. Meanwhile, the wide center-backs, particularly Veiga and Acheampong, contributed with progressive passes and carried the ball forward, adding to Chelsea’s attacking threat.
Controlling the Second Half
With a comfortable lead, Chelsea focused on controlling possession in the second half. While both teams created opportunities, the scoreline remained unchanged after Chelsea’s fifth goal. The Blues displayed patience and precision, choosing the right moments to strike through the middle and maintaining defensive solidity.
Enzo Maresca’s satisfaction with the performance was evident in his post-match comments. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards even in games with relatively low stakes. Chelsea’s ability to execute their tasks effectively showcased their professionalism and commitment.
With this dominant performance, Chelsea continue their strong run in the Conference League. The win not only boosts momentum but also highlights the tactical flexibility and depth within the squad. As the Blues prepare for their next challenge against Everton at Merseyside, confidence will undoubtedly be high.