Perhaps nothing could illustrate as to why 2001 Duisburg was able to defeat favored home side Frankfurt better than the panned camera shot of the Frankfurt bench wrapped in heavy blankets as one sheepish player yawned a yawn that lasted more than the allotted extra time. Frankfurt was caught napping.
Tactically, Frankfurt was superior during much of the first half. Creating numerous options offensively, Frankfurt tested the 4-1-4-1 Duisburg formation. With Duisburg’s lone striker, Inka Grings, unable to apply any dangerous high pressure on Frankfurt’s back four, Frankfurt was able to patiently establish a possession game. Rarely trying to find central gaps on the pitch, Frankfurt weaved in and out of Duisburg’s compacted midfield by attacking the flanks. Numerous simple overlapping runs down the flank allowed for Frankfurt to have multiple options for their player in possession of the ball. Although Frankfurt managed to produce numerous goal scoring opportunities, they failed at finding the back of the net. Perhaps even more condemning, Frankfurt players often passed on an opportunity to take a shot.
Similar to a 4-5-1, the 4-1-4-1 is obviously a very defensive formation. The 4-1-4-1 will compact a midfield and provide a team with a holding midfielder. The holding midfielder is the key to the success of this formation. Offensively, the wing players must be explosive and creative. Duisburg looked sub par within this formation. Defensively, Duisburg did manage to shut down Birgit Prinz. However, Frankfurt’s command of the flanks produced many dangerous situations. Offensively, Duisburg was not creative out of the 4-1-4-1. They lacked creativity, dangerous runs, and any support for Grings. Often unable to string together more than two consecutive passes, even Alexandra Popp’s occasional success on the wing led to few attacking situations.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg knew that the 4-1-4-1 formation was not working well for her team. After a half time pep talk and tactical changes, Duisburg’s return to their more familiar 4-4-2 formation ignited a surge of offensive power. Duisburg began pressuring high which created dangerous moments. After comfortably passing along the backline during most of the first half, Frankfurt’s back four failed to adjust to the new pressure. At one point. Frankfurt precariously played the ball across their own defensive box while a chasing Duisburg player came within inches of intercepting the ball.
Duisburg began playing with momentum. Frankfurt failed to adjust. Soon after Oster was replaced by Kozue Ando, a foul was committed by Frankfurt on the left side near midfield. The 71st minute produced the lone goal of the afternoon. A quick restart and beautiful long over the top pass from Fuss to Grings caught a slow to react Frankfurt off guard. By the time Frankfurt reacted to the quick restart, Grings had already successfully scored.
image from FFC
Voss-Tecklenburg adjusted her formation once again in hopes of maintaining the lead. Mandy Islacker entered in for Maes, and Bresonik was moved to holding midfielder. Ann Von Bonn replaced Annemieke Kiessel in the 80th minute to round out Duisburg changes. Despite last minute pressure, Duisburg goal keeper, Christina Bellinghofen, denied Frankfurt an equalizer.
Great adjustments from Voss-Tecklenburg combined with Grings leadership ensured a Duisburg victory. For Frankfurt fans, all is not loss. Blame winter break for their slow start to 2011. Frankfurt plays Saarbrucken next week while Duisburg has a difficult challenge against Turbine Potsdam.
Side game notes:
- Birgit Prinz was ineffective and not impressive today. She was subbed in the 66th minute.
- USA midfielder Ali Krieger stood out for Frankfurt today. Her brilliant game was only tarnished by not finishing what seemed like an easy opportunity against a diving keeper.
- Kerstin Garefrekes continues to maintain her reputation as a tough midfielder. Knee bloodied offensively dangerous, and slammed a ball into the gut of a Duisburg player who tried to stall by delaying her throw-in at end of game.
- With the absence of Abby Wambach and continuing struggles with the 4-4-2, the US Women’s National team performed well in a 4-1-4-1 formation during the Four Nations Tournament
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