If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like for a professional footballer after a huge win, here’s a little insight: it’s straight back to business. Atlanta United’s 4-3 comeback victory over New York City FC most definitely qualifies as a huge result, but the 5-Stripes aren’t getting big heads.
They’ll be the first to tell you there’s still plenty to work on. Three goals conceded and a 3-1 deficit during the match isn’t their end goal, even if they got the three points. As they returned to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, it might’ve been an even more intense session than the Tuesday before the win.
Head coach Ronny Deila certainly felt that way at the least. He was very vocal during drills, coaching up individuals and the team on positioning and tendencies. Everyone must be in just the right spot, and more than that, he wants them to know why they’re doing what they’re doing. You could hear that nuance matters to him Tuesday.
Positions, everyone
Sometimes lost in the talk of the buildup that Atlanta United has focused so heavily on is the importance of where everyone is standing, or running to, or running from. It’s not just what they do with the ball, it’s where they are with it or to receive it. Football is a fluid game, but the best teams are precise in their positioning every single time.
That’s half of the battle in growing chemistry. When, say, Alexey Miranchuk turns on the ball to play it up field, he needs to know exactly where Saba Lobjanidze will be running before he even turns his head. The natural understanding makes everything look seamless, as Atlanta United has shown in spurts in their last two matches.
The first goal Saturday felt that way. A beautiful switch to Saba, an incisive run, a low pass to Emmanuel Latte Lath, and seemingly out of nowhere, Miranchuk pops up to finish it. A right place, right time goal, it was especially important for Miranchuk, who at the beginning of the season struggled to find his spots on the pitch.
Stian Gregersen and Luis Abram got plenty of attention in training, as Deila encouraged them to take their space when on the ball and communicate when passing between each other and their midfielders.
“We have to use our 6s more instead of playing outside, because that's a trigger for the opponent,” Gregersen said after training Tuesday. “When we play out, they will come and push us … We’re working a lot of in the training today [on positioning], and we're going to do it this week to be able to be maximum prepared for the game.”
Sometimes, though, positions change. Miranchuk’s move back to more of a No. 8 position in the last two matches was based on match condition but may have to become permanent. Atlanta United scored three goals after Deila’s change to add another attacker and bring Miranchuk further back to help buildup.
“To have this rotation is not easy for the opponent,” Gregersen said of the New York City match. “What Alexey did when he dropped down, especially in the second half, was brilliant. He was always available. That helped a lot to us to win [the second] half.”
There’s a case to be made that the change should become something Atlanta United starts the match with, but the squad isn’t rushing to that conclusion. Gregersen said they want him in the No. 10 role but that him dropping back did make it easier on the defenders to find him.
In another case, Deila called on Matt Edwards to play his third different position this season against New York City. The natural right back subbed in at left back in the 57th minute and showed how versatile he is.
This is the same guy who made his first career MLS start in Atlanta United’s home opener. Edwards has been incredibly reliable and is doing it at right back, center back (where he played against Cincinnati) and now left back.
Edwards said he’s been playing across the backline since his youth days. He recalled playing left back for about half a season in his collegiate career, and he played at center back with Atlanta United 2s on occasion.
“You just want to be on the field,” Edwards said after training. “No matter where [Deila] asks you to play, you're willing to play there … If you can learn the game of football, you can play any position on the field, I believe. I'm glad that the manager trusts me to put me on in those situations, and I’m just trying to grow from each experience.”
The why and having a “picture in our mind”
Deila tasked his squad with plenty of passing drills Tuesday, aiming to reinforce the good habits they’re building. Some of those habits, like finding the defensive midfielders instead of always pushing the ball out wide to the fullbacks, could take months to solidify.
The gaffer was passionate with his guys, asking them loudly, “Why are you there?” or “Why are you doing that?” He wanted them to explain their thought processes and how they saw the game develop.
Assistant coach Kenny Miller put it eloquently when working with the defenders and holding midfielders.
“We’ve got to have a picture in our mind, can we get out?” he said to his players during buildup drills.
Seeing the play before it develops is basically what Miller is asking for. It’s by no means easy, but it’s game-changing when done consistently.
Deila and his coaching staff’s philosophy is getting through to the players, even for the ones that are getting minutes all over the pitch.
“No matter where [I play], I think it's important to read the game the correct way,” Edwards said. “That's all you can really do.”
At one point during scrimmages, when Noah Cobb’s switching pass went wide, Deila said something to the effect of “the thought was there, just need the technique.” Those moments are building blocks for a better understanding of the system, and they’ll translate on the pitch with more practice.
“If you know why something is happening, you're more likely to do it and more likely to understand why you're doing it,” Edwards said. “[Deila] has a style he wants to play and a way he wants to play. I think him getting that message through to us and [us] all knowing what to do and being on the same page is very important, especially for a team that [wants] to win everything.”
