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50 year wait for silverware is over! Tactical Analysis of the 2021 EFL Trophy Final Sunderland Verses Tranmere Rovers.

Antony Penna March 24, 2021

Wembley Stadium, the ultimate football stage for two sleeping giants from the English second division. Sunderland FC a Premier League team from the not-so-distant past. Tranmere Rovers, a team steeped in tradition and history, while being on the wrong side of the league’s Coronavirus policy. When the English Football League shut down in 2020 Tranmere have left only three points from safety with a game in hand. However, got relegated from League 1 to League 2 after the member clubs voted to ratify the league’s decision. The EFL Trophy was important for both teams, Sunderland has not won a trophy since 1973, and Tranmere looking for that success from a situation taken away from them in 2020.

As much as it pains me (I’m a Newcastle fan) Sunderland successfully secured their first trophy in over 50 years with a 1-nil win over Tranmere Rovers.

Game Notational Analysis:

Possession was practically shared with Rovers having the ball for 47% of the game compared to Sunderland’s 53%. In terms of shots, Sunderland had the upper hand by creating 13 opportunities for Rovers’ 11 strikes. However, Tranmere’s strike accuracy was far much efficient with 47% of the chances created resulting on target (5/11 Tranmere to 2/13 for the Black cats). Most other key numbers were awash.

Successful Duels 49 to Tranmere’s 55
Aerial duels, Sunderland 24 over Rovers 22
Taking on successes’ 8 to Rivers 7
Sunderland’s defensive clearances far outweighed Tranmere 28 to 11.
Burge being the busiest keeper with 6 save to Davies 1.

The newest stat hailed by football analysts is the xG (Expected Goals). Sunderland’s xG of 1.51per 90 minutes doubling that of Tranmere 0.75xG.

Sunderland and Tranmere’s Line ups

Sunderland’s system of 4-4-2 had the ball going through McGeady in most phases. The system would play more of a 4-2-2-2. Without the ball, they would transition into a 4-5-1.

Sunderland’s System of Play; 4-4-2 in Possession

Sunderland’s System; 4-5-1 out of possession

Rovers on the other hand lined up in a 4-2-3-1 transitioning to a 4-4-2 out of possession.

Without the ball

EFL trophy final as it happened:

Sunderland’s game plan was clear. Without the ball, they needed to stop Tranmere Rovers from easily moving through the phases up the field. Tranmere players Morris and Woolery were identified as the dangerous players that could hurt Sunderland the most.

Sitting in a 4-5-1/4-4-2 mid-block, Sunderland was successfully cutting off all passing lanes, in fact, Sunderland reduced Tranmere to 287 successful passes out of 396.

It made the game seem scrappy, especially the first half. Although I’m sure nerves didn’t help.

Tranmere was forced to go more direct where the aerial presence wasn’t as successful, especially against O’Nien and Flanagan. O’Nien in particular could have just put the ball forward as a clearance but instead opted to win, possess, and look to move through the phases by playing from the back.

28 clearances to Rovers 11 gives credence to how to direct Rovers were. In fact, the earlier chances were created by Tranmere, even if a little fortunate.

Grant Ledbetter got in behind Lloyd during a quality cross from the left-wing which when cleared took a trajectory towards Burge’s goal. Lee Burge saved with an awkward-looking save, having timed the reflex well.

As Tranmere rotated the ball at the back, Sunderland can be seen pressing. The trigger point is where the ball becomes congested in wide areas close to the touchline.

Chris Maguire’s heat map shows areas where he would press to win the ball and possess the ball.

In Possession

Sunderland utilized possession in a couple of ways. Firstly, playing through central areas where they could bypass the Rovers press by benefiting from quick interplay.

It became obvious very quickly that the build-up and creative play would go through the energetic Aiden McGeady. Using McGeady’s heat map above you can see how much influence he had in Sunderlands’ possession.

Sunderland’s success in winning second balls allowed them to provide meaningful attacks higher up the pitch. The strong presence upfront from Wyke saw him compete for 16 aerial duels throughout the game.

Sunderland played from the back through Burge and the two center-backs. In playing the ball across the back they invited pressure from Rover’s front players. Once the trigger for the press came Sunderland would play a direct ball to Wyke. The striker would then look to lay it off for approaching support players or hold the ball up and take on the backline.

Tranmere Rovers strategy:

Tranmere Rovers employed a 4-4-2 to try and prevent Sunderland from having too much freedom when on the ball.

Unlike Sunderland, Tranmere employed an active quick press. Rovers’ were aggressive upfront with good support in the press. Looking at the attacking unit heat map you can see the areas in which Tranmere was a lot higher for longer periods compared to the Black cats. Although this includes possession, the data shows that Tranmere was more successful in duels, shots from turnover of possession, and shot accuracy, meaning they were in better areas such as the kill zone with less pressure on the striker.

An example of winning the ball from the press can be seen below.

A high percentage of winning the ball came from winning duels and loose second balls.

Once securing possession they quickly turned that into a counter.

Tranmere’s possession could have been more efficient. From approximately 400 passes, over 25% failed to reach its target. However, from their possession, Tranmere would attack from wide areas. 30 total crosses were created from wide areas, 1 in every 3 minutes.

The Second Half:

The first half was mostly even, the second half seen a turning point when Sunderland took the lead on the 57th minute. A through ball from no other than McGeady was coolly controlled by Gooch who had great composure in striking the ball.

Rovers’ had an injection of energy when they introduced Blacket-Taylor to the game. Only within minutes from being introduced, he forced Burge into a fine save.

Sunderland started using counterattacks by sitting on their lead. On winning the ball in deep areas they would delay the counterattacks to allow support and create better shape going forward.

Below we can see Burge finding Leadbitter who then retains and tries attacking further.

From a half chance, Sunderland’s goal can be seen from building the play to finishing.

McGeady’s individual ability in central areas and from the flanks demonstrated his attacking qualities. In this game, it was the difference between the two teams.

Who's Putting The Net Up?

Who's Putting The Net Up?