WE’RE GOING THROUGH A PASSING FAZE
Ancelotti: Long-ball tactics our only option right now
YOU hardly need fresh evidence of Carlo Ancelotti’s forensic expertise, but his calculated words after this important victory offered a rare insight into the Italian’s thinking.
Everton had outplayed Brighton for an hour, but then “suffered” in the final third of the game, as they clung on to a precious three points with grim determination.
It wasn’t pretty at times, and frequently route one, but it was still a third Premier League victory in four matches since the new boss arrived. He knows the team he inherited lacks confidence, and lacks the faith of a sceptical support, some of whom visited the training ground last week to express anger and frustration at a perceived lack of effort.
He knows, too, the healing power of victory, how that can repair fragile mentality, and repair relations with the fans. So, in little more than three weeks, he has devised a route towards salvation.
It means a direct style, and less of the patience his previous sides are usually known for. It also means eschewing the build up from the back that underpins the history of Italian football.
When it was pointed out his philosophy is to play attractive passing football, he gave a pointed response:
“I try!”
Yet he will wait to introduce that style at Goodison – and for good reason: “We would like to play football, play football from the back... but I think it is a bit dangerous to do that at the moment.
“It is necessary to do that to have control of the game. But at the moment, victory is important – the most important – because it helps give them confidence and to be more relaxed in training. So, you have to use the characteristics of your players.”
That means utilising the impressive aerial prowess of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the
pace and athleticism of Richarlison, and the swift, direct distribution of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Ancelotti said: “We use the qualities of our players. In front, we have a fantastic header of the ball in Calvert-Lewin, who is quick and very strong. We have a fantastic striker like Richarlison.
“So, the fact we can sometimes use a quick counterattack is important to give our strikers the opportunity to show their qualities.” It was a counter when their energy turned the ball over in midfield to allow Richarlison to score a truly outstanding winner on the turn.
But there was the guile of Bernard, too, his passing in the space between the lines hinting at the direction Ancelotti will ultimately take. It could be next season before we see it properly though.