Sunderland's meteoric rise in the Premier League has shocked everyone, but is it just luck, or is there a tactical masterclass at play? If they clinch a victory against Everton this week, they'll soar to second place, a mere five points behind Arsenal. That's right, second! Considering the pre-season predictions, this is nothing short of a footballing miracle. But here's where it gets controversial... are they truly contenders, or will their form fade as the season progresses?
Let's delve into the tactics of Regis le Bris, the mastermind behind this unexpected success, and dissect how he's transformed Sunderland into the surprise package of the season. We'll explore their strategies both with and without the ball, uncovering the secrets to their winning formula. Buckle up, because this analysis might just change how you see Sunderland!
Out of Possession: The Art of Controlled Aggression
Le Bris' tactical brilliance shines through in Sunderland's defensive approach. It's not just about parking the bus; it's a carefully orchestrated system of controlled aggression. They're not afraid to get in your face right from the kickoff. Sunderland initiates a high press, often employing a man-to-man marking scheme. And this is the part most people miss... the discipline required to execute this effectively is immense.
Think about it: newly promoted teams usually shy away from such aggressive tactics. Why? Because a mistimed press leaves gaping holes in your defense. Individual players need to cover vast distances, and in the lightning-fast Premier League, that's a recipe for disaster. Sunderland's bravery to embrace this approach after promotion has been a major factor in their success. Take their stunning 2-1 victory against Chelsea as a prime example. Their relentless man-to-man high press suffocated Chelsea's build-up play, particularly targeting the left side of their defense, which lacked a natural left-footed player. This forced Chelsea into uncomfortable situations and disrupted their rhythm. Sunderland also utilizes this high-pressing strategy during opponent goal kicks, often using back passes as triggers for a coordinated team press.
Image source: Premier League
Of course, even the best-laid plans can be bypassed. When opponents manage to push Sunderland deeper, they seamlessly transition into a more zonal defensive structure, typically a solid 4-4-2 formation. Against Chelsea, and later against Manchester United, they even deployed a back five to further solidify their defensive wall, showcasing their adaptability. Their ability to seamlessly switch between these approaches, with the same core group of players, presents a formidable challenge for any opponent. And this is a major reason for their strong defensive record.
Even within their deeper defensive shape, Sunderland doesn't just passively sit back. They actively pressure individual opponents in their vicinity, limiting their time and space on the ball. And if the ball does manage to find its way into the box, their central defenders have proven to be exceptional in individual duels. Let's not forget Robin Roefs, their goalkeeper, who has prevented more goals than any other keeper in the league this season! According to xG (expected goals) models, most goalkeepers would have conceded at least three more goals given the shots Roefs has faced. He's been an absolute rock!
Image source: Premier League
In Possession: Building from the Back with a Direct Option
When Sunderland has possession, Le Bris favors a positional style of play. This means strategically occupying specific zones on the pitch. Players can rotate within these zones, but the overall structure remains consistent. It's about creating passing lanes and maintaining a cohesive shape. From the goalkeeper upwards, Sunderland often builds from the back, leveraging the technical skills of their defenders and midfielders to progress up the field. They typically spread their back four wide, with the goalkeeper positioning himself between the central defenders. Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki then drop deep from central midfield to offer short passing options.
However, they're not afraid to go long when the situation demands it. They often target Wilson Isidor with direct balls, especially against a strong opposition press or when protecting a lead. This adds another dimension to their attack and prevents them from becoming predictable. And this is a great example of tactical flexibility!
Image source: Premier League
Once Sunderland establishes possession in the opponent's half, they focus on breaking down the opposition's defense. The central midfielders, as mentioned earlier, can drop into the defensive line to receive the ball with more time and space, making intelligent use of their skillset. With more time on the ball, Xhaka, for example, can dictate the tempo and orchestrate pinpoint switches of play to the wingers, creating one-on-one opportunities. It's also worth highlighting Omar Alderete, the centre-back who previously played for Getafe. Last season, he was statistically the most 'incisive' passer among central defenders who played more than 15 games, leading the league in the percentage of recoveries turned into progressive passes. Alderete's proactive approach in possession has been instrumental in Sunderland's ability to advance the ball up the pitch effectively. His deceptive passing ability, faking passes to one side before quickly firing the ball forward at a different angle, has made him a standout player.
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In the final third, Sunderland's attacking play revolves around creating opportunities for crosses from wide areas. The full-backs play a crucial role in this, either by overlapping the wingers to deliver crosses themselves or by underlapping to provide support. Xhaka often drifts towards the flanks, working in tandem with the full-back and winger, and is usually well-positioned to deliver first-time crosses following a lay-off. These triangles create a constant threat out wide, and the rotations between these players make their attacking patterns less predictable. Trai Hume's versatility, capable of playing on either flank or inverting into midfield, has been a key factor in unlocking this attacking potential. Against Chelsea, he started as a wide defender in Sunderland's back five but transitioned into an attacking midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation when Sunderland had possession.
Image source: Premier League
When defending a lead, Sunderland adapts their strategy, pressing less and focusing on blocking space in deeper areas. In these situations, they often resort to playing long balls. They can maintain their defensive shape for extended periods because they have players capable of carrying the ball up the pitch, relieving pressure on the defense. They can also progress the ball through accurate long passes to the strikers. Furthermore, Sunderland has prioritized set-piece threat, a growing trend in the Premier League, with goals coming from well-designed routines from corners, free-kicks, and even long throws.
Conclusions: A Balanced and Well-Drilled Machine
While we've analyzed the in-possession and out-of-possession phases separately for clarity, Le Bris emphasizes the importance of linking these phases together. He wants his players to view the system as a cohesive whole, rather than individual components. When Sunderland has the ball, they are already thinking about how they will defend if they lose possession, ensuring players are positioned behind the ball to provide cover. When they play direct, the team moves up together, reducing the space between the defense, midfield, and attack, again to enhance their defensive preparedness.
This analysis clearly demonstrates that Sunderland is a balanced and well-drilled team. They have solutions to various problems and seamlessly transition between different setups, whether it's defending with a back four or five, pressing high or defending deep, playing a possession-based game or attacking directly. Their current position in the league table accurately reflects the quality they've displayed so far this season. But here's the real question: Can they maintain this level of performance throughout the entire season? Will other teams adapt and find ways to counter their tactics? What are your thoughts? Do you believe Sunderland is a genuine contender for a Champions League spot, or will their form eventually falter? Share your opinions in the comments below!
