'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The English league is the most competitive and result oriented league in the world. A while ago, top six managers did not consider the domestic cup competitions to be important because they were trying to make it to the top four. These domestic cup competitions have become increasingly important as a means of alleviating pressure from managers.
Arsene Wenger's FA Cup triumph in 2013 and 2014 were factors that helped in prolonging his stay at Arsenal F.C. The competitiveness of these cup competitions has also seen the use of young players in these competitions decline and renewed interest from the top six to win them. .
Sunday, 24 February 2019 is going to be a very important day in the tenure of Maurizio Sarri. Win and the increasing pressure on the former Napoli manager somewhat reduces. Another discouraging defeat coupled with the off-field happenings and a genuine chance of missing out on the top four for the second consecutive season could spell the end for the Italian manager.
With Sarri in desperate need for results and facing the team that absolutely dismantled his team about two weeks ago, it is important that tactical alterations be made to the now infamous Sarriball philosophy.
Here's a look at three tactical alterations that Sarri should make to win the Carabao cup final;
#1 Play Kante alongside Jorginho as a double pivot midfield
"In that position, I want a player able to move the ball very fast. This is not the best characteristic of N'Golo. N'Golo is very useful for us, but this one is not his best characteristic."
Sarri has been questioned so much about his stance on N'golo Kante's position in his team that he is probably tired of answering such questions. In his press conference before the Europa League round of 32-second leg against Malmo, he made the above comments.
When Sarri was quizzed on the fact that Kante had won the world cup and two PL titles playing in that position. His reply was straight forward and full of meaning. He simply said, "in a different system".
Sarri has so idolized this 4-3-3 Sarriball philosophy that even after several key losses he has not questioned the system nor adapted it to suit his best players and simultaneously cancel out the opposition.
Manchester City have been in this process with Pep Guardiola for about two years. It will be very unwise for the Italian tactician to think that his team can outplay City at their own game. He cannot afford to think this, especially after the 6;0 mauling showed otherwise.
In the Carabao cup final, N'golo Kante must be asked to sit alongside Jorginho and help snuff out the danger that the City attack will present. Kante's reading of the game, the ability to tackle and intercept is what makes him arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world. These attributes must be put to good use against the reigning EPL champions in the cup final.
In a double pivot, Kante's primary job will be winning the ball back. When the ball needs a quick movement like Sarri said then Jorginho can resume pass master duties. A creator-destroyer midfield partnership has proven to be successful for Chelsea before with Matic and Fabregas. The Jorginho-Kante midfield pivot has the potential to eclipse that.
#2 Play Kovacic or Barkley in the number 10 position
Football is one sport that has evolved considerably over time and the role of the number 10 on the pitch has evolved right along with it. The number 10 has evolved from a central midfielder with a great passing range and dazzling dribbling to a deep-lying playmaker and now to an attacking midfielder with an eye for a killer pass.
More recently, teams have adapted their number 10 to be the principal man that presses the deep lying playmaker. Arsenal adapted this tactic in using Ramsey to nullify Jorginho in the PL meeting at the Emirates stadium. Kovacic or Barkley could be drafted in to do a job on Fernandinho in the City clash.
It seems pretty insane considering that City have far more gifted attacking threats than the Brazilian midfielder and perhaps those threats need to be addressed before Fernandinho is considered. However, the one indispensable cog to the City machine is Fernandinho and one will always have a better chance to win City if the Brazilian has a bad game.
The purpose of playing the ten will be solely to keep Fernandinho occupied. This has the double advantage of allowing Chelsea contest for the midfield with City and occupying Fernandinho with a player while letting the Chelsea wingers; Hazard and Willian do damage to the City defense.
#3 Drop Alonso and play Azpilicueta as left back
Marcos Alonso is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. His inclusion in recent squad lists for the Spanish national team has shown that he is recognized as such at the international level.
He has been a constant menace for Chelsea down the left flank in the past two seasons. However, the problem with the Spanish international lies in his lack of positional awareness and tendency to drift so far away from the back four. This weakness has been exploited by Manchester United and Tottenham to score vital goals against Chelsea this season.
Raheem Sterling is the City player most likely to feature in the right wing position against Chelsea. Sterling has caused better defensive full-backs all sorts of problems this season. His pace and trickery have seen him score twelve goals and assist a further nine in the EPL this season. Pep could also unleash any of Bernardo Silva, Mahrez or Sane in that position as well.
For Chelsea to contain the left side of their defense, Sarri should replace Alonso with Azpilicueta. Left back is not a new position to Azpilicueta who held down Chelsea's left back spot for years before the arrival of Marcos Alonso and is a better defender than Alonso. Zappacosta could be drafted in at right back to do a job for the Blues.
