2/23/2021 Tactical analysis of Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig

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Julian Nagelsmann
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With the possible exception of Marco Rose of Borussia Monchengladbach, there are few coaches who will
enter 2020 on as much of a high as Julian Nagelsmann
(https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/why-julian-nagelsmann-is-the-perfect-coach-for-
rb-leipzig-ho enheim-rangnick-5236). The current RB Leipzig coach is, of course, no stranger to the
limelight as he attracted considerable attention when appointed as the coach of TSG Ho enheim when he
was just 28-years-old. Those who were concerned about his lack of top- ight experience were soon proven
wrong as the young German coach created a game model that allowed Ho enheim to challenge consistently
for European quali cation.

The last two seasons have seen constant speculation as to the next move that Nagelsmann would make in
order to further his coaching career. Indeed, there was a feeling in Germany that Bayern Munich would move
for the young coach when they moved on from Carlo Ancelotti. Instead, and perhaps wrongly, Bayern chose to
go down an alternative route. The speculation was ended at the start of the 2018/19 season when
Nagelsmann announced that he had agreed to take over the reins at RB Leipzig for the 2019/20 season. Such
was the regard in which he was held at Ho enheim, however, the club was content to have Nagelsmann
continue in his role to see out the season.

At the time of writing, RB Leipzig are sitting at the top of the Bundesliga table and with both Bayern Munich
and Borussia Dortmund enduring di cult campaigns, there is a genuine sense that this could be the season
that sees the side from the East of the country emerge as champions. There is no doubt that Julian
Nagelsmann is one of the coaches we need to keep an eye on in 2020.

What makes his game model so successful? This tactical analysis (https://footballbh.net/) will explain all.
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2/23/2021 Tactical analysis of Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig

As we have already mentioned above RB Leipzig (https://footballbh.net/2019/12/02/bundesliga-

201920-sc-paderborn-vs-rb-leipzig-tactical-analysis-tactics/), at the time of writing, are comfortably at
the top of the Bundesliga table. As ever in football, however, it is important to look beyond that and to
consider what the underlying statistics can tell us about Nagelsmann and his preferred playing style.

To even come close to understanding that playing style though we have to understand the Red Bull playing
methodology. Since the drinks empire rst took over Salzburg and then RB Leipzig, there has been a clear
playing style with both sides playing with a high tempo both in and out of possession. They attack vertically
through quick forward passes and press aggressively when out of possession. What is interesting is that this
season, under Nagelsmann (https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/timo-werner-i-ve-
become-more-versatile-under-julian-nagelsmann-rb-leipzig-8803), we have seen RB Leipzig display
more tactical versatility with the coach switching between three at the back and four at the back systems,
depending on the strengths of the opposition, within these systems though the tactical concepts remain the
same.

The key in the attacking phase comes in quickly playing forward to create chances. So far this season RB
Leipzig are averaging 14.57 shots per 90 minutes and 2.63 goals per 90 minutes. They are also making 85.41
progressive passes per 90 minutes. All of this shows that Nagelsmann has adapted his game model to
perfectly suit the Red Bull DNA. At Ho enheim, under Nagelsmann we saw a similar style of vertical
attacking football. Now with better players at his disposal, we are seeing the next evolution of this game
model. 

Nagelsmann is not a coach who favours possession above all else. This is evident in his vertical attacking
style and so far this season RB Leipzig are averaging 51.4% possession, 7th in the Bundesliga. They are
conceding 9.31 shots per game which is the third-lowest in the Bundesliga and these shots tend to come
from areas that are less than optimal for the opposition and often from outside the penalty area.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the tactical concepts in action.

Build-up phase and rotations

Obviously, there will be di erences in how RB Leipzig build up from the back in the attacking phase whether
in the four at the back or three at the back system. These di erences are unavoidable given that the
positional slots occupied in the two systems are di erent. The concepts that underpin these systems will,
however, remain the same. 

Principle amongst these concepts is the idea of rotation. The fullbacks, or wingbacks, will tend to move
relatively high in the rst moments of the build-up phase. This is a simple tactical mechanism designed to
provide width but to also force the opposition to defend in a wider block to cover this threat. This, in turn,
creates
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2/23/2021 Tactical analysis of Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig

The central defenders split wide, either in a chain of two or three depending on the tactical system and then
one of the two deepest central mid elders will drop deeper to give a passing option to the man in possession.
The use of a central mid elder in this manner is designed to provide a passing option beyond the rst line of
pressure from the opposition.

(https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RBL-build-up.png)

Here we can see a situation with RB Leipzig playing out from the back. As the left-back moves high, this
creates space on the left side that can be used to progress the ball into the opposition half of the eld. As
the central mid elder moves into that space the ball is progressed securely. From this point, we will then see
another vertical pass either to connect with the fullback or into the feet of an advanced forward player. 

These rotations enable the key concept that we see from Nagelsmann. That is verticality in possession. This
simply means that the ball will not be cycled from side to side aimlessly along the defensive line. Instead, for
each receiving player, there is one clear priority and that is to look to play forward. Obviously, there are
times in which there will be no clear vertical pass open. In this instance, the ball will be moved across and
the next player will look for a vertical pass.

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(https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RBL-build.png)

In this example, we see the combination of rotation and verticality together. As the ball moves out we see RB
Leipzig move the ball at angles through the press of the opposition and then beyond the covering mid elder
in a deeper position. As the ball moves forward we see the rotation from the centre out to the wide area. This
rotation takes the nal receiving player out from the cover shadow of the mid eld player from the opposition
and allows him to receive the ball in space.

The importance of the double pivot

Whether setting out in a back four or a back three there is still one aspect of the tactical system which is the
use of a double pivot at the base of the mid eld. This is important as these two players provide security when
RB Leipzig (https://footballbh.net/2019/07/04/julian-nagelsmann-leipzig-201819-tactical-analysis-
tactics/) are in the attacking phase but they also screen the defensive unit when the opposition are
attacking.

In any successful team, there has to be a balance between attack and defence and vice versa. Very few teams
will simply attack with all of their resources without any thought of securing themselves against the counter-
attack. Look at the Manchester City team of the last two seasons and we see that Pep Guardiola, one of the
greatest coaches of all time, uses a player in the ‘6’ role that will provide security against the counter.

Julian Nagelsmann has adapted to using two players in a double pivot having generally used only a single
pivot whilst at Ho enheim. In using two players in this pivot position we see the versatility to allow one to
rotate into advanced positions when in possession while the other retains a deeper position.

(https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RBL-pivot.png)

When in possession you will rarely see these players operating on the same line as one another. Instead, they
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pivot and then played forward to the second player in the pivot, remember the importance of verticality for
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2/23/2021 Tactical analysis of Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig

(https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RBL-mid eld-pivot.png)

Here we see a moment in quick transition. When space presents itself we will see the double pivot shift with
one player moving higher to either take possession of the ball or to move the opposition out of position. This
is where the concept of rotation becomes key. As the ball near player moves out he takes a higher position
and splits the space between the two defensive players. This pulls the defensive player in the highlighted
area out with him and the second player in the pivot can shift across to accept possession of the ball.

As this player takes possession he is then able to look for the vertical pass to access the highest line.

Vertical passing
Yes, we have mentioned this already above but verticality is the key tactical concept that we have to
understand when studying Julian Nagelsmann (https://totalfootballanalysis.com/match-
analysis/bundesliga-tactical-analysis-ho enheim-hertha-berlin) and indeed when studying the Red Bull
football group. This is of paramount importance and will go a long way to understanding just how talented a
coach Nagelsmann is.

We have already discussed that any player for RB Leipzig (https://totalfootballanalysis.com/match-

analysis/bundesliga-2019-20-bayer-leverkusen-vs-rb-leipzig-tactical-analysis-tactics) is coached to
look for the vertical pass when receiving the ball in the rst instance. This is obviously not always possible
and there will be some lateral passing but this is designed only to move the opposition out of position to
create the vertical passing lanes that will allow the ball to be progressed forward.

We regularly see attacking players taking up positions between the lines of the opposition and allowing the
vertical
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2/23/2021 Tactical analysis of Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig

(https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RBL-vertical-passing.png)

In the nal third, in particular, we will often see RB Leipzig overload the centre of the eld before playing
quick vertical passes that bypass the opposition defensive block. This is the reason that we see them
creating so many opportunities on goal. They have perfected the art of playing these vertical combinations.
We see this here as the ball is played centrally into the feet of an attacking player. As soon as the rst pass
is played the second striker starts moving and the ball is immediately played through the last line to create a
goalscoring chance.

(https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RBL-between-lines.png)

In moving so many players into high areas of the pitch when in possession of the ball RB Leipzig make it very
di cult for the oppositions defensive block. Here we see the ball in the mid eld and with no pressure on the
ball. The pass can then be made into the player who is between the lines of opposition defence and mid eld.
This receiving player has then created an advanced platform from which RB Leipzig can threaten the
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2/23/2021 Tactical analysis of Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig

These advanced platforms are important as the ball progresses forward since they allow supporting players
to move into advanced areas and a ect the positioning of the defensive block. This then creates gaps across
the width of the eld that can be exploited through quick combinations.

(https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RBl.png)

Here we see how dangerous this verticality can be. Through three quick passes in combination and with the
up, back and through concept fully on display we see RB Leipzig play through all 10 out eld opponents who
are sitting in a deep block. The ball moves vertically to the forward on the highest line rst and he sets the
ball back to his attacking partner. The ball is then immediately played inside the penalty area and the
advanced mid elder is able to move onto the pass for an easy goalscoring opportunity

Conclusion
The tactical system favoured by Julian Nagelsmann is not overly complicated but this relative simplicity is
part of its greatest strength. The concepts within the game model are executed superbly by players who are
well coached and played in areas of the eld that allows them to cause problems for the opposition.

As a coach, Nagelsmann displays a clarity of thought that is rare. There is little doubt that as we enter 2020
he is one of the coaches to watch. At this stage, there are few who would bet against the young German
leading RB Leipzig to success both domestically and in Europe.

Site Lead for Total Football Analysis, writer and professional scout, follow me
on Twitter.

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