Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has adjusted the team’s tactics in an effort to address the significant defensive issues the Foxes have been experiencing in the Premier League.
Previous Tactics Under Steve Cooper
Previously, Cooper employed a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. In this setup, the wide players were engaged in position shifts off the ball. He encouraged his wingers to either cut inside or stay close to the touchline, providing variety in their attacking approach. When one fullback advanced up the pitch, the winger on the same side would drift inside, creating space for the advancing defender. Meanwhile, the fullback on the opposite flank would tuck in while the winger maintained width.
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This created a 3-2-4-1 formation during buildup.
Steve Cooper’s tactical change
However, in Leicester’s games against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town, Cooper used tactics similar to what Enzo Maresca had utilised last season. A big reason for this change was the inclusion of Ricardo Pereira in the starting lineup, who was as an inverted wingback last season. When in possession, Pereira would invert into midfield, creating a 3-2-4-1 formation. However, unlike Cooper, Mareca ensured both wingers would be on the flanks rather than a fullback-winger combination.
Cooper has adopted those tactics lately. While the shape might be similar, having both wingers on the flanks has advantages. Both Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu are direct players who love to take on their man. Having the two on the flanks allows Leicester to spread their play rather than attacking on only one side.
Additionally, pairing Victor Kristiansen and Pereira gives Leicester’s game play variety. When Kristiansen pushes up, he attacks the flanks, allowing Mavididi to drift inside or overload the fullback. However, when Pereira advances, he inverts into midfield, giving the Foxes greater control in midfield and allowing Wilfred Ndidi to support the attack.
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A big weakness with a three-at-the-back formation is that the team is vulnerable on the flanks when turnovers happen. Having Fatawu partially negates the problem, as the youngster has a tremendous work ethic and always falls back to help the team defend. Out of possession, the winger actually becomes a fullback, creating a 5-3-2 possession to provide further stability at the back.
However, despite the shift in tactics, the results haven’t been great. Ideally, The Foxes should have had at least four points from the Forest and Ipswich games but managed only one. With tough matches on the horizon, Cooper must ensure that the team’s synergy increases as much as possible as Leicester fight to survive.
