5 Tactical Changes Nottingham Forest Needed To Win Against Chelsea

Introduction

Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday was a deserved one. The Reds were the better team for large periods of the game and took their chances when they came. It was a tactical masterclass from manager Aitor Karanka, who made a number of changes to his side that ultimately led to the victory.

In this article, we will take a look at the five tactical changes Nottingham Forest needed to win against Chelsea. We will also analyze how these changes affected the game and ultimately led to the Reds’ victory.

Setting the Tone

 The first tactical change Nottingham Forest needed to make in order to win was to set the tone of the game. Forest needed to dictate the tempo of the game, and establish themselves as the dominant team from the start. This was successful, as Forest came out of the blocks flying and put Chelsea on the back foot for large parts of the first half. Karanka set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a high press that caused Chelsea a number of problems. This high press forced the Blues into rushed clearances and mistakes, which Forest were able to capitalize on.

Forest's Approach

 Secondly, Nottingham Forest changed their approach to the game. The Reds wanted to maintain possession, play the ball out from the back, and wait for chances to create attacks. This was a stark contrast to their usual direct style of play, which focuses on getting the ball forward quickly in transition. In this game, Forest were patient with their build-up play and were able to use the extra time on the ball to find spaces in Chelsea’s defense. Additionally, the midfielders were positionally disciplined and allowed the defenders to hold a line, which put Chelsea further off balance. Personnel Changes: A third change Nottingham Forest made was

personnel changes

 Karanka brought in some of his most experienced players, such as captain Ben Watson, striker Lewis Grabban and defender Michael Dawson. These players brought a wealth of experience to the team and helped calm the game down whenever it was starting to get too frenetic. Additionally, Karanka chose to use young academy graduate Arvin Appiah on the wing, who provided a genuine spark of pace and creativity to the side.

Gameplan

 The fourth tactical change Nottingham Forest made was their game plan. Rather than focusing solely on defense, Forest adapted their approach to the game. They played with more attacking intent, which put Chelsea on the back foot for large parts of the game. This game plan was effective, as it allowed Forest to create chances and apply pressure on the Chelsea defense. Additionally, the changes in tactics allowed the Reds to dictate the game, as they were able to control the tempo and tempo of the game.

Execution

 The fifth and final change Nottingham Forest made was the execution of their tactics. The changes were executed to perfection, as Forest were able to create chances and take their chances when they came. The Reds’ defense was solid throughout, and they were able to weather the occasional Chelsea storm. Additionally, the Reds did well to hold onto their lead and see out the game in the dying moments. Conclusion Nottingham Forest’s victory over Chelsea was a deserved one. The Reds made five effective tactical changes that allowed them to dominate the game and secure the three points. These changes included setting the tone of the game, changing their approach, making personnel changes, implementing a new game plan and executing these tactics to perfection. If the Reds are to continue their good form, they will need to replicate these changes and apply the same level of tactical acumen going forward.