SPANISH giants Real Madrid are apparently keeping a keen eye on Cherries this season – after Los Merengues appeared to copy a certain tactic deployed by the Dorset club earlier this season.
Real Madrid usually are the trend-setters in global football, but this time around Cherries have produced the blueprint that the European giants are following.
Cherries’ goal against Fulham back in December went viral thanks to its efficient and clinical nature, with Dominic Solanke finishing off a sublime move straight from kick-off to shock Cherries’ promotion rivals at Craven Cottage.
Emiliano Marcondes begins the move by kicking things off with a pass back to Lewis Cook, who quickly feeds it back to Marcondes.
The Dane finds fellow country man Philip Billing, who spots the run of Solanke – who immediately sprinted from the half-way line as soon as Marcondes restarted play for the second-half.
A lofted ball over the top from Billing finds Solanke, who keeps his composure – and balance – under pressure to fire home, opening scores.
Fast forward a few months later, and Real Madrid decide to employ the tactic for their must-win Champions League round of 16 tie with Paris Saint Germain.
In fact, the move is near identical - apart from the fact that Real Madrid did not finish the attack with a goal.
Los Merengues’ version sees midfield maestro Luka Modric play a quick one-two with World Cup winner Toni Kroos, who lays it off for right-back Dani Carvajal.
Just like Solanke, pacey Brazilian winger Vinicius junior has already hurtled forward, but unlike Billing for Cherries, Carvajal’s pass is overhit, and ends up at the feet of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The tactic has clearly caught on in both Spain and the French capital, with Basque club Eibar and PSG’s youth team scoring in the opening 10 seconds of games with the pre-planned move.
“Kick Off Glitch” foi desbloqueado
— Honestly Green’s 🇺🇦 (@GreenHonestly) March 16, 2022
Domingo foi o Eibar, hoje o PSG 😂pic.twitter.com/Z6QcNQ1Goz
A inovação está em todo o lado. Até no pontapé de saída...
— Futebol de Bancada (@futeboldebancad) March 14, 2022
Eibar, 1.º classificado da 2.ª liga espanhola.pic.twitter.com/CGZPFMZPQt
Cherries will be hoping for a quick-start this weekend, as they travel to fellow promotion contenders Huddersfield.
It remains to be seen if Cherries will look to use the move once again, with opposition sides highly likely to be well aware of the tactic now.
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