In the 2022/23 season, Thomas Frank made remarkable strides in setting up Brentford Football Club for success. This tactical analysis delves into the key aspects of their gameplay, including their defensive structure, playing out from the back, attacking strategy, and notable victories against top teams.
Brentford System Structure
Thomas Frank astutely transitioned from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-3-3, providing a platform for all three forwards to excel in tandem. While maintaining the ability to adapt and occasionally utilize the 3-5-2, Frank solidified the 4-3-3 system as the core principle of Brentford’s gameplay. The results speak for themselves, with the team’s impressive goal-scoring record and defensive solidity throughout the season.
In the 2022/23 season, Brentford played a total of 38 matches, scoring 58 goals and conceding 46. Their ball possession averaged at 43.5%, with an average of 2.4 big chances per game.
David Raya emerged as the undisputed number one goalkeeper for Brentford, fending off stiff competition from new signing Thomas Strakosha. Raya’s contributions extend beyond shot-stopping, as he plays a vital role in the team’s build-up play. Throughout the season, he showcased remarkable skills, preventing goals and making crucial saves. Raya made a total of 154 saves, averaging 2.77 goals prevented per game. His passing accuracy stood at 61%, with 87% accuracy in their own half and 38% accuracy in the opposition’s half. Additionally, Raya displayed proficiency in long ball distribution with a 42% accuracy. His performances were instrumental in Brentford’s success at the back.
At the heart of Brentford’s defensive line is Ben Mee, whose intangible leadership qualities have provided stability and cohesion to the backline. Mee’s presence has ensured that the defensive unit remains solid and organized. He started in 37 matches, contributing to 12 clean sheets. Mee showcased his defensive prowess with 1.3 interceptions per game, 1.2 tackles per game, and an impressive 61% success rate in total duels. His dominance in ground and aerial duels further bolstered Brentford’s defensive strength.
Partnering Mee is club captain Pontus Jansson, a highly respected figure in English football, known for his impressive performances at Leeds United and now at Brentford. Jansson’s experience and defensive acumen have made him an invaluable asset to the team’s structure and organization.
Mathias Jensen has solidified his place in the side after a strong campaign. Jensen regained his position, which he lost to Christian Eriksen the previous season, and showcased his quality throughout the 2022/23 season. He started in 37 matches, contributing five goals and six assists. Jensen’s influence extended beyond goal contributions, as he displayed excellent passing skills with 1.4 key passes per game and an average of 53.5 touches. Defensively, he recorded 0.9 interceptions per game and 1.9 tackles per game, showcasing his ability to contribute in both attacking and defensive phases of play.
Christian Nørgaard completes the midfield trio and provides a solid presence at the base. Nørgaard’s consistency and understanding of the system make him a vital figure in Brentford’s midfield. His defensive contributions and ability to break up play have been instrumental in the team’s success.
Thomas Frank has established a consistent and successful partnership upfront, consisting of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo. This duo has thrived together, complementing each other’s strengths and contributing significantly to Brentford’s attacking prowess.
Ivan Toney, with 33 starts, emerged as a prolific goalscorer, netting 20 goals throughout the season. His expected goals (xG) stood at 18.79, highlighting his efficiency in converting chances. Toney’s scoring frequency was an impressive 148 minutes per goal, showcasing his clinical nature in front of the net. Additionally, he created 12 big chances and provided four assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute beyond goalscoring.
Bryan Mbeumo, on the other hand, added a different dimension to Brentford’s attack with his speed and ability to exploit spaces. He started alongside Toney, utilizing his pace to make penetrating runs behind the opposition’s defense. Mbeumo’s contributions in transitional moments and his ability to race past defenders made him a significant threat to the opposition.
Brentford Playing Out from the Back
One of the distinctive features of Thomas Frank’s tactics at Brentford is their ability to play out from the back. This strategic approach focuses on building attacks from the goalkeeper and defenders, with an emphasis on retaining possession and creating opportunities. By initiating their attacks from deep positions, Brentford effectively dismantles the opponent’s pressing and creates spaces to exploit.
To facilitate their style of play, Thomas Frank deploys his wing-backs to push high and create wide overloads. While Brentford often sets up to pass the ball out from the back in a 2-2-3-3-ish shape, goalkeeper David Raya occasionally opts for a more direct approach. Raya has been known to launch 65% of his goal kicks this season, averaging an impressive distance of 58 yards. This directness allows Brentford to quickly bypass the opposition’s pressing and initiate attacks in advanced positions.
In the process of playing out from the back, the midfielders play a crucial role in providing passing options and maintaining possession. Christian Nørgaard and Vitaly Janelt excel in this aspect of the game, frequently positioning themselves between the defensive lines to offer passing lanes. Their intelligent movement off the ball and precise timing of passes contribute to the smooth progression of play. Nørgaard, in particular, excels in advancing the ball through central avenues, while Janelt showcases his ability to distribute accurately from deeper positions.
Another key player involved in Brentford’s build-up play is Mathias Jensen. Positioned in the heart of midfield, Jensen acts as a tempo-setter, adept at switching play from one side to another. His intelligent positioning allows him to time his runs and provide support in deep areas during the team’s build-up phase. Additionally, when left wing-back Rico Henry advances up the field, Jensen may drop into a left-back position, providing him the opportunity to receive the ball away from congested areas and initiate attacks with composure.
Brentford Defensive Structure
Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, Brentford Football Club has implemented a solid defensive structure that emphasizes organization and discipline. The team displays a compact shape, with intelligent positioning to deny space to the opposition and limit their goal-scoring opportunities. Brentford’s defensive approach, characterized by flexibility and energy, has proven effective in frustrating opponents and disrupting their play.
One of the standout features of Brentford’s defensive system is their ability to adapt to different situations. They exhibit both high pressing and low defensive blocks, depending on the opponent’s style of play. When the opposition attempts to play out from the back, Brentford’s man-for-man press has garnered attention, particularly exemplified by their dominant performance against Manchester United on Matchday 2. Mathias Jensen, with his powerful energy and aggression, often takes the initiative to step up and press the opposition’s central midfielder. His proactive approach is evidenced by his significant number of pressure attempts, surpassing his teammates by a considerable margin.
Brentford’s defensive strategy extends beyond their initial pressing. They are known for their tenacious counter-pressing, akin to a swarm of bees. As soon as they lose possession, the entire team immediately works to regain control of the ball. This high-intensity pressing aims to disrupt the opponent’s build-up play and force turnovers. If their initial counter-pressing does not yield immediate results, they quickly fall back into their defensive shape, which typically manifests as either a 4-5-1 or 5-3-2 formation, depending on the starting formation.
While defending, Brentford excels in crunching the play in wide areas, utilizing the sideline as an extra defender. This effectively limits the space available to the opposition, making it challenging for them to progress down the flanks. The team’s compact shape ensures that their defensive structure remains intact, reducing gaps and making it difficult for opponents to penetrate.
Although Brentford’s defensive display showcases energy and flexibility, there have been instances where consistency has been lacking. The team continues to work on fine-tuning their defensive organization to maintain a more consistent performance throughout matches. Nevertheless, their commitment to defensive discipline and their ability to adapt to different situations have been key factors in their success.
Thomas Frank’s emphasis on defensive solidity, energy, and flexibility has transformed Brentford into a challenging opponent for any team. The cohesive defensive structure, combined with their aggressive pressing and compact shape, frustrates opponents and limits their attacking options. As the team continues to evolve, their defensive prowess will remain a crucial aspect of their success.
Brentford Dynamic and Innovative Attacking Strategy
Brentford’s attacking strategy is characterized by its dynamism and innovation. The team employs a combination of intricate passing, intelligent movement off the ball, and quick transitions to penetrate opposing defenses. Their focus on exploiting spaces, making intelligent runs, and creating numerical superiority in critical areas has consistently posed a threat to their opponents’ goals.
While possessing the tools for a sophisticated passing game, Brentford’s attacking preparation predominantly revolves around devastating the opposition through attacking transitions. Their direct speed in counter-attacks ranks joint-third highest in the division, showcasing their proficiency in exploiting the space left by retreating defenses.
Brentford does not rely on intricate passing to lull their opponents to sleep, like a team such as Manchester City. Instead, they have proven that they can be effective without adopting a possession-based approach. As soon as they regain possession, the front three immediately spring into action, searching for opportunities to receive long passes and stretch the opposition’s defensive line. This immediate counter-attacking style often leads to the front three creating 1v1 situations with the goalkeeper. However, when faced with a compact defense that requires more intricate build-up play, the crossing abilities of left wing-back Rico Henry come into play, adding another dimension to their attacking options.
The contributions of Bryan Mbeumo, a key player in Brentford’s attacking setup, should not be underestimated. Mbeumo’s speed and technical dribbling qualities make him a significant threat in immediate breaks from turnovers. Within the Brentford dressing room, he is highly regarded for his abilities. Mbeumo’s versatility allows him to find Ivan Toney with accurate crosses, go directly for goal himself, or delay the play until additional support arrives. Although often overshadowed by Toney, Mbeumo’s absence would greatly impact Brentford’s attacking prowess.
In the 2022/23 season, Mbeumo started in 36 matches, scoring 9 goals and providing 8 assists. His ability to create and miss big chances highlights his involvement in Brentford’s attacking actions. Mbeumo’s successful dribbles averaged 1.2 per game, with a success rate of 55%. He also demonstrated his competitiveness with 3.4 total duels won per game, though there is room for improvement in his ground and aerial duels success rates.
Brentford Notable Victories Against Top Teams
Throughout the 2022/23 season, Brentford showcased their prowess by securing impressive victories against some of the top teams in the league. Here are some of their standout performances:
- Brentford 4–0 Manchester United (13 August 2022): In a remarkable display of attacking football, Brentford dismantled Manchester United, scoring four goals and leaving their opponents stunned.
- Manchester City 1–2 Brentford (12 November 2022): Brentford demonstrated their resilience and tactical acumen by defeating the reigning champions, Manchester City, away from home.
- Brentford 3–1 Liverpool (2 January 2023): Brentford’s attacking prowess was on full display as they outplayed Liverpool, securing a convincing victory.
- Arsenal 1–1 Brentford (11 February 2023): In a tightly contested match, Brentford showcased their defensive resilience, holding Arsenal to a draw.
- Chelsea 0–2 Brentford (26 April 2023): Brentford’s defensive solidity was evident as they shut out Chelsea, securing a clean sheet and an impressive victory.
- Tottenham Hotspur 1–3 Brentford (20 May 2023): Brentford’s attacking verve overwhelmed Tottenham Hotspur, as they registered an emphatic win away from home.
- Brentford 1–0 Manchester City (28 May 2023): In the grand finale of the season, Brentford showcased their quality by defeating Manchester City
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