Real Madrid 2 – Manchester United 1
Real Madrid showed their class and superiority over Man United on Wednesday night in Macedonia, as Los Blancos lifted the UEFA Super Cup after winning the mach 2-1.
Isco (scorer of Real’s second), Luka Modric and Toni Kroos bossed the game from start to finish, while Casemiro also bagged a rare goal in the showpiece.
Romelu Lukaku found the net for United to give the scoreline a modicum of respectability, but Real could have scored plenty more – they hit the woodwork twice in the match.
Jose Mourinho’s new tactics
Chelsea were the trendsetters last season in the Premier League.
Antonio Conte memorably changed the course of the Blues season during a 3-0 defeat away at Arsenal, as he ditched a flat back four to play three at the back instead. After that, Chelsea never looked back.
Could Jose Mourinho be the trendsetter in 2017-18?
Following the Real Madrid game, the data has revealed how Man United fielded a new formation against the Spaniards, particularly when they had the ball: 3-6-1.
While Romelu Lukaku was the lone forward, he was supported by Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic and Antonio Valencia.
United’s formation practically projects like a 3-6-1.
That’s quite a midfield block, but ball progression from midfield is mwah.#passmap pic.twitter.com/1RdtnKiC0I— 11tegen11 (@11tegen11) August 9, 2017
In a concern for United, despite have so many bodies in midfield, they still struggled to create changes in the wide areas.
Tweets on Man United’s 3-6-1 formation are below.
Yes, absolutely – a 3-6-1 without genuine width. Very unusual. https://t.co/mFohydnz8Z
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) August 9, 2017
Agreed – though I worry about that long-term since that isn’t his position. No sign of Martial even though he destroyed Carvajal days ago.
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) August 9, 2017
Very odd. I hope Rashford’s fine with it for the time being. The squad still feels a bit unbalanced at the moment.
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) August 9, 2017
Haha the new fad of 3-4-3 has been made to like 3-6-1 by Mourinho. Typical. Expect a Man Utd result now
— Paddy Jack (@paddyjaque) August 8, 2017
Also see: Marouane Fellaini’s mashed up face v Real Madrid goes viral.
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