Wales vs England Tactical Analysis: Bellamy's Fresh Style Explained
The Welsh national team have adjusted their method of football with Bellamy.
Looking at Robert Page’s last dozen matches as coach to Bellamy's opening 12 leading Wales, a noticeable shift is a new approach emphasizing possession and controlling matches through possession.
The Page Era: Aggressive Play
During Page's tenure, Wales' high-energy approach centered around pressing intensely without possession, mainly in wide areas, typically using a flexible 3-4-3 system for direct attacks.
Craig Bellamy's New Direction
Bellamy has only utilized a defensive line of four, encouraging his players to hold the ball and construct offensive moves more methodically.
Measurable Changes
This tactical shift has resulted in a significantly increased ball control, a more completed passes and a slight reduction in how regularly they give the ball away high up the pitch.
Wales also boast a higher expected goals tally with Bellamy.
Key Consideration
Do Bellamy's strategies give Wales a improved likelihood of overcoming England?
The new approach under Bellamy signifies a clear move from Page's methods.
- More ball control
- Deliberate offensive construction
- Less giveaways in attack
- Better xG numbers
