By Matthew Carroll
Analyzing Movement of Dortmund’s Erling Haaland Against Schalke
As a fan of the English Premier League and Major League Soccer I only have taken a cursory glance at the Bundesliga. The pandemic changed that when it became the first league to return from the shut down. I had heard about how incredible Dortmund’s Erling Haaland was, but until 5/16/20 I had not seen for myself. Dortmund smashed their rivals Schalke 4-0, and The Miners were lucky to not have conceded more. Haaland ended the game with 1 goal and 1 assist, but was integral in all four, and that is what I am looking to display in this article. Dortmund were stellar, and have been in every game since despite their 1-0 loss Bayern, and Schalke have struggled mightily after the break, but Haaland’s diverse abilities were on full display in this match. The same could be said for his teammates Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt, and Raphaël Guerreiro, but none look to have the same anticipated price tag moving forward so I have chosen to focus on the young striker.
Goal #1: 29’ G: Erling Haaland A: Thorgan Hazard
In this goal the brilliance really comes from Brandt and Hazard, with Haaland’s positioning putting him in the position to receive an incredible ball from Hazard. As the ball comes from the buildup in the defense Brandt dropped in from his higher position which drew the defender tight to his hip. As that happened Hazard interchanged positions with him and as he passed by Brandt, Brandt played a deft little heel flick to Hazard just as he passed. Hazard then took the ball to the corner of the 18 and played an incredible ball that met Haaland at just about the PK spot, which he then powered in. While the two other creators did a lot of leg work for this goal Haaland’s positioning between the two center backs, and his decision to delay the his run a half second until Hazard was in position to cross, gave Hazard the perfect target for the first goal.
Goal #2: 45” G: Raphaël Guerreiro A: Julian Brandt
Here Haaland’s threat leads to Guerreiro finding himself clear on goal for the first goal of his double. The play starts with an innocuous back pass to the Schalke goalkeeper. Haaland presses the left side of the keeper and forces a rushed pass that is won by Brandt. Haaland then drops in from his offside position. The defender sees him coming and immediately jumps to try to defend him. He quickly realizes his mistake, but it is too late. Brandt lays a ball through to Guerreiro who is clear onto goal for the finish. Haaland ran maybe a total of 30 yards here, never breaking more than a light jog, but without him pulling the defender towards him centrally the lane for Brandt’s ball is wider and it becomes a 1v1 outside of the box, rather than a clear cut scoring chance.
Goal #3: 48’ G: Thorgan Hazard A: Julian Brandt
This goal was evidence of Dortmund’s breakneck speed in the counter, as well as Haaland’s pace and bravery as he collided with the Schalke defender before playing a key pass to Brandt . Here Schalke have an ill advised foray into the teeth of the Dortmund defense. They attempt to dribble through a 2v4 and are stopped. The ball immediately pops out to Brandt who plays quickly to Haaland to break the counter-press. Haaland moves forward past half where he is absolutely clattered by the Schalke back. In his attempt to stop Haaland, though, he leaves a clear space behind him. Haaland stands tall in the tackle and is able to squeeze off a ball at the last second to Brandt. Brandt then slots a simple ball to split the defenders who have retreated back to try to get their shape and Hazard smashes home from just inside the box. Haaland is a physical specimen, with incredible pace for his size. Not only does this benefit him on the ball, it is an absolute nightmare for defenders who look to shut him down even when he is very far from dangerous scoring positions. This would be useless if it were not exploited properly, and that is what Brandt did for much of the match, finding or filling the spaces left by defenders trying to deal with Haaland.
Goal #4: 65’ G: Raphaël Guerreiro A: Erling Haaland
This goal has two fantastic examples of Haaland’s hold up play. In the first sequence of play he is able to hold off a defender on his back to play a clearance from the goalkeeper off his head to Brandt. Immediately he and Hazard push forward and the defense collapses to the right side. This gives Brandt the time and space to step forward and swing a ball to Guerreiro who delays his run until the space is cleared by the forward movement of Haaland and Hazard.
In the second sequence Guerreiro comes cutting in from the left and slots a ball to Haaland. He draws the attention of the three immediate defenders, but the two that had been watching for Guerreiro turn their bodies, and all eyes are on Haaland. The defender behind Haaland puts pressure on him immediately, but he is able to shield the ball, take a touch in and lay a simple pass to Guerreiro who makes a bent run around the sleeping defenders. He then slots it home for the final goal of the game.
By Matthew Carroll
