TTLB Opinion: Tactical game plans that Ange Postecoglou could adapt against Bodo/Glimt

Tottenham Hotspur are set to face Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-finals this midweek, and this is the game that all the Lilywhites supporters have been looking forward to since that magical night in Germany when the North Londoners got the better of Frankfurt, but that being said, facing the Norwegian giants is not as easy as it sounds (or appears) on paper; it is a more difficult task given how technically sharp they are under Kjetil Knutsen’s tutelage. While they are strong technically, they are physically weaker when you compare them to the existing standards in the English top tier.

Bodo/Glimt play fearlessly when in possession and prefer to press high (even when they are facing strong opponents), and then (what will be the most difficult for the Lilywhites to contain), they thrive on quick combination plays in tight spaces.

Although that being said, Spurs Europa League semi-opponents can end up being vulnerable defensively, especially when pressed at the right moments and when forced into physical duels (over 90 minutes), and here Ange needs to play smart and not emotionally.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Bodo/Glimt: Tactical approaches for Europa League Semi-Final

The Australian head coach needs to use the athleticism at his disposal, complemented by a maintained structure and transitional threat to get the better of Bodo/Glimt without exposing the backline to unnecessary risk (which, let’s face it, Tottenham have done time and again this season).

Gameplan A: Put in a controlled press and be ruthless when transition opportunities arise

Here, Tottenham have to try to lure Bodo/Glimt into playing sequences that are more risky in the buildup situations (that is, the first phase of their buildup) and then immediately punish them in transition.

Tottenham will be looking to set pressing traps high and in wide areas. So you allow Bodo’s full-backs to receive the ball before you end up going into aggressive triggers wide-side press (Brennan Johnson or Kulsevski and Son) as soon as the ball is played backwards.

The English giants will have to transition quickly with their three vertical runners (Son, Kulusevski or Son, or Maddison) behind Bodo’s high defensive line. And this is where they will have to prioritise pinging in fast vertical passes as soon as there is a regain. You don’t need to recycle the play backwards unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

If we speak about the structure that Tottenham will have to adapt here, it will be more of a 4-2-3-1 defensively (mid-block when needed), shifting into a 3-2-5 attacking shape with Porro/Udogie high and wide.

The thing that Tottenham players have to realise is that Bodo are not made to handle sustained physical transitions or fast runners behind their defence because they are structured for more ball circulation rather than recovery sprints.

Gameplan B: Keep the ball and kill their confidence

Spurs can end up keeping most of the ball in the first minutes of the game and try to limit Bodo/Glimt’s rhythm and crowd energy, and after a while of trying to regain it with their high presses, it could end up frustrating them into mistakes.

For the initial 20 minutes, Tottenham need to slow the game down and put in some controlled passing patterns; this way, Ange Postecoglou can ensure that he denies his Norwegian opponents any emotional surges early in the game.

To deploy this, Tottenham need to stretch their shape with wide fullbacks (Porro/Udogie) and inverted wingers (Son/Kulusevski) who are consistently trying to better their defensive line from one side to another. The Lilywhites can target overloads in the middle of the park, and to do so, Ange can position Bentancur and Maddison close together to end up outnumbering Bodo’s two pivot players.

And then once they feel that Bodo are losing their sharpness in chasing balls, introduce some pace into the game, unleash third man runs and strike them as they are struggling.

To play this way, Tottenham will be looking to operate in more of a 4-3-3 structure with deep fullbacks in the buildup phase while they gradually are pushing into a 2-3-5 in the attacking phase.

Bodo are a side that are made to keep the ball and not chase the ball, and they will get uncomfortable defending for long periods, and we should see some patience going away after those initial 20–30 minutes of chasing.

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Gameplan C (Contingency if Tottenham are losing)

If Tottenham do end up falling behind or are struggling to score, then Ange would want to create physical chaos. When this happens, you switch into more of a 3-5-2 formation with double strikers (Solanke + Son) to pin Bodo’s centre-backs. Then you end up sending Porro and Udogie extremely high, almost making it an overload of their penalty box on every attack. Then you emphasise crossing volume with direct balls into the box and then taking the best of all the second balls and rebounds.

The thing is, Bodo’s defenders are a bit vulnerable physically, and while they are technical, they aren’t built for scrappy second-ball battles that Tottenham are used to in the Premier League.