Oliver Glasner is an Austrian professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Premier League club Crystal Palace. A defender by trade, he spent almost all of his professional career with Austrian Bundesliga club SV Ried, winning the Austrian Cup in 1998 and 2011.
Oliver Glasner – Crystal Palace – Tactical Analysis
In this article, we delve into the tactical approach of Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace. Known for his strategic sharpness and innovative methods, Glasner has brought a fresh perspective to the team. We will explore the formations, key player roles, and overall strategies that define Glasner’s tenure at Crystal Palace. By breaking down the tactical elements, we aim to understand how Glasner’s philosophy has influenced the team’s performance and what it means for their future prospects. Join us as we analyze the tactical intricacies that Oliver Glasner has introduced to Crystal Palace.
Build-up
Low Build-up
Glasner sets his team up in a 4-2-5 formation in the low build-up, with the goalkeeper playing between the center-backs and a box-midfield in the middle.
They often drop with the attacking midfielders and like using the goalkeeper, which creates numerical superiorities, allowing them to beat the press.
High Build-up
Glasner’s Crystal Palace set up in a 1-3-2-5 formation in the high build-up, the same as in the low build-up without the goalkeeper between the center-backs.
Having four central midfielders(two holding and two attacking) creates more options in the center and less space between the players. Glasner likes this because he prioritizes playing through the middle. He needs one player high and wide to pull apart the backline while the rest create numerical advantages in the midfield areas. This builds good conditions in defensive transitions, allowing more players to press when they lose the ball. Another purpose for keeping many players in the middle is to shorten the distance between them. This shortens the length of the passes, which naturally shortens the time between passes. This means the opposition players will have less time to push up and press, giving the Palace players more time and control.
High Build-up
Glasner’s Crystal Palace set up in a 1-3-2-5 formation in the high build-up, the same as in the low build-up without the goalkeeper between the center-backs.
Having four central midfielders(two holding and two attacking) creates more options in the center and less space between the players. Glasner likes this because he prioritizes playing through the middle. He needs one player high and wide to pull apart the backline while the rest create numerical advantages in the midfield areas. This builds good conditions in defensive transitions, allowing more players to press when they lose the ball. Another purpose for keeping many players in the middle is to shorten the distance between them. This shortens the length of the passes, which naturally shortens the time between passes. This means the opposition players will have less time to push up and press, giving the Palace players more time and control.
High Backline (off)
A massive aspect of Crystal Palace’s high build-up is they keep a high backline. This helps in the counter-press because they get closer to the center. Having more players close to the center who can win the ball back makes it difficult for the opposition to do anything when they win possession. Furthermore, the high backline shortens the distance between players, shortening the time and length of the passes and preventing the opposition from pushing up their defense.
Finding the Pockets
Crystal Palace always try to find the attacking midfielders in the pockets. Their midfield numerical superiority usually means that at least one will be open. They will look for passes from the back or the wing, breaking lines and finding an attacking midfielder who will turn and drive at the defense.
Numerical Advantages
Another massive aspect of Crystal Palace’s high build-up is their ability to create numerical advantages against the opposition’s defensive line. Their front five naturally becomes numerically superior against a back four, which they are great at taking advantage of.
When the defending team is positioned on one side, the weak-side fullback becomes vulnerable to the long switch of play due to the 1v2 against Palace’s winger and attacking midfielder. Glasner’s team often capitalizes on this by getting the ball to the winger and creating many opportunities from 2v1 situations on the wing and in the half-spaces.