HOW READING’S PRESS DISRUPTED BARNSLEY AT OAKWELL

I loved watching the press on Saturday, with Reading often winning the ball in the middle and final third against Barnsley.

Harvey Knibbs as per won the most defensive duels, but Kelvin Abrefa and Ben Elliott impressed too, with the latter winning the most duels in Barnsley’s half.

Reading shaped up in the press almost in a 4-3-3 or ‘reverse Christmas tree’ shape, with a very compact forward three matching up to Barnsley’s back three one to one.

The purpose appeared to be to dominate the centre, with Reading allowing some plays wide but very little through the middle.

Here’s a pressing example from minute 20 when the trigger is Barnsley building up from the back.

The narrow two-three moves forward to press, and Elliott’s step forces the defensive midfielder to play back to the centre half.

Femi Azeez traces the run. Pressing is nothing without collaboration.

After starting narrow, Azeez steps to block the outside lane for the centre-back, showing him inside, into the teeth of Reading’s press. Bait and switch.

The Barnsley player clearly wants to step back wide as soon as possible, so Azeez uses his pace to track back and tackle when the centre-back tries to move wide.

Elliott gobbles up the loose touch caused by Azeez’ challenge and calmly steps around the desperate left-centre-back to play Azeez into the box.

Reading, from Barnsley’s build-up, are now in shape and attacking the box directly while Barnsley’s back three is woefully scattered.

So how did Abrefa help?

Well here’s an example of Reading pressing to win the ball immediately after losing it following a chance.

Azeez delivers the ball but it’s too close to the keeper and is parried out to a Barnsley defender.

Just look at the position of the full-backs.

It’s a two-three shape again, with three players crashing and two entering the box, but Clinton Mola is the one crashing with Paul Mukairu at centre-midfield.

It’s notable just how central the full-backs look to get at every opportunity and Abrefa begins moving inside.

Abrefa intercepts the ball, blocking it back to Mukairu lurking on the edge of the box.

Reading earn this shot from Knibbs with Barnsley’s defence again pulled apart.

So against both build-up and transition, Reading use their press to attack against disorganised defences.

Reading really showed the full range of their pressing ability on Saturday. They sit second in the table for ‘passes per defensive action’ and have done so nearly all year.

Credit to Ruben Selles, James Oliver-Pearce and the full coaching staff: these players know their roles and can execute them.

2024-04-16T12:00:06Z dg43tfdfdgfd