Running the Press: Borussia Monchengladbach Use Live Reporting to Deliver Tactics
13 Mar, 2020
2 Min Read
A coaching change at Borussia Monchengladbach has led to a new play style that’s reaping benefits.
After winning two consecutive Austrian Bundesliga titles as manager of Red Bull Salzburg, and maintaining an unblemished home record over the same period, coach Marco Rose had his choice of vacancies in the Bundesliga and further abroad. But it was Borussia Monchengladbach who managed to secure one of the game’s most exciting managers.
Jurgen Klopp has said he trusts Rose in everything—that he can have any job in management.
This trust was initially gained from playing under the now Liverpool boss during his time as a player at Mainz. Rose’s current teams play with a similar philosophy to his former mentor, with high-intensity attacking and a focus on verticality. Rose’s teams also press aggressively when out of possession.
Gladbach finished fifth last season, with former manager Dieter Hecking’s contract not renewed. Rose has since come in and further developed the team, helping them spend time at the top of the Bundesliga and play some of the most attractive football in the division.
Marcus Thuram —son of France’s 1998 World Cup winner Lillian—has formed a combination with Alassane Plea and Breel Embolo that has so far generated 20 goals and 18 assists (as of February 2020).
But how does technology, specifically video analysis, help Rose get his ideas across to his players?
A template of the Sportscode code window used by Gladbach's analysis staff during matches.
Gladbach uses HTML reporting through Sportscode to relay live information from analyst to coach via an iPad. Sportscode output reports are sent to the mobile device on the sideline from the analyst position up in the stands.
Handily, assistant coach Rene Maric also has high capability with Sportscode, meaning he’s really quick in working with the software and tagging shortcuts, so obviously for Schützendorf it makes for very cooperative working between analyst and coach when one of coaches can also operate the software effectively.
“As part of the manager’s game plan, it is important for us to press more, make the defence push harder while covering the spaces that are open,” said Gladbach Head of Analysis Dr. Philipp Schützendorf. “The most important part for us in the analysis workflow is to send down instances that help the game plan. We constantly get requests, we are constantly exchanging information with the manager. Last season we would send maybe three or four instances during the game, now sometimes we send over 30.”
“Most analysts work with Sportscode and it is a huge advantage for getting your tactics across to a new team.”
Dr. Philipp Schützendorf - Borussia Monchengladbach Head of Analysis
This process of live reporting is an easy one.
"We always have gameplay (construction), counterattack and pressing scenes, and by me “tagging” them, they are immediately displayed downstairs to the manager.” explained Schützendorf. “Our assistant coach, René Maric, looks sometimes at around 5-10 instances a game, but there are many more—the report can have about 30 in the first half alone.”
Halftime is also a key period for Schützendorf to deliver his reporting.
There's always time for analysis to take place at Gladbach. Here we see Sportscode being used on the team bus.
“We decide which scenes we will take down to the changing room at halftime, and I display [them] on my computer to the players and coaching staff,” said Schützendorf. “The coach can then react in terms of tactics and formation.
“Most analysts work with Sportscode and it is a huge advantage for getting your tactics across to a new team.”
Gladbach are one of Germany's “traditionsverein”, meaning they are a club rich in tradition—119 years worth. Even with five Bundesliga titles and two UEFA Cups in their trophy collection, Rose’s new-look side might add to that total soon.
