As expected, Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics have come under scrutiny after Bayern Munich thrashed Spurs 7-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Tuesday night.
While Spurs started the game on the front foot and deservedly went ahead through Son Heung-Min, Bayern manage to overturn the scoreline before half time courtesy of two excellent finishes.
However, it was the second half where Spurs really let the game go with Mauricio Pochettino bringing off Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli and Harry Winks for Christian Eriksen, Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela in the hope of dragging his team back into the game.
Those changes left the home side exposed to the counter attack with Bayern running riot with the scoreline.
After the game, Spurs midfielder Moussa Sissoko admitted to French TV channel RMC Sport that the players find it difficult to play a diamond formation as they get tired very quickly.
This comment served to anger some Spurs even further as they were bewildered as to why Pochettino fails to see the faults with the system.
"We get tired too quickly physically when we play with a diamond midfield," Moussa Sissoko admitted on French TV channel RMC Sport on Tuesday night….yet we still play a diamond. It's crazy.
— Chad Smith (@Chadwicks22) October 2, 2019
Glenn Hoddle said exactly the same when commentating. Why can't Pochetino see this?
— Glyn?? (@Atomheart1972) October 2, 2019
He’s bang on with that. The diamond makes us to narrow in midfield & the midfielders having to cover to much ground when the opposition switch the play like Bayern did. Also doesn’t help when Aurier is dodgy at best & is left exposed.
— andy (@andyo115) October 2, 2019
Never understand why Pochettino persists with this shitty diamond. IT NEVER WORKS. You can’t play it without a proper DM and Winks is not it. Sissoko/Ndombele keep getting shattered because they’re always on the cover so we’re always exposed. GET RID OF IT.
— Ant. (@AnthonyCOYS) October 1, 2019
If fucking Moussa Sissoko is complaining about the Diamond being too physically demanding then it definitely needs to be binned https://t.co/MBwpZdzVO7
— W (@LedKneeyKing) October 2, 2019
If what @MoussaSissoko said then like I said lastnight bin ? the diamond and go back to the 4-2-3-1 simple as that
— Turnpike Mike (@JayRiskyRdz) October 2, 2019
“We get tired too quickly physically when we play with a diamond midfield," Moussa Sissoko admitted. Interesting….. #thfc
— Hotspur Banter (@Hotspur_Banter) October 2, 2019
It’s time @SpursOfficial and @jesus_perez etc
Get back to 4231
Banish all these poor full bks and play @MoussaSissoko there who gives 100%
Inject @RyanSessegnon
Get @ericdier bk protecting the bk 4.
Play @TanguyNdombele higher up as he’s got goals & assists in him.#thfc pic.twitter.com/SHQzXxeb8H
— noname (@yiddooooo) October 2, 2019
I'm fully behind Pochettino and back him to turn it around but he seriously needs to get over his obsession with the 442 diamond and start playing with a genuine DM. It simply doesn't work, we are left outnumbered in midfield and our defence are completely exposed #COYS
— Tariq (@Taz_0712) October 2, 2019
Well the tactics are shocking.
— AO (@Adam_Oliver1) October 3, 2019
Spurs Web Opinion
The one advantage in playing a 4-4-2 diamond is the fact that it enables both Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane to play upfront whereas Son will likely have to play wide in a 4-2-3-1, which would diminish his goal threat. However, it is clear by now that the diamond leaves us exposed at the back and unless the Argentine plans on bringing Eric Dier or Victor Wanyama back into the side, he should bin the system for now.