FM21: THE PHILOSOPHY OF JEAN-CLAUDE SUAUDEAU — THE NANTES WAY.
After the success of my last two tactical posts, Zones and Pressing — The Arrigo Sacchi Philosophy and Characteristics of the trio in a three man midfield (Massimiliano Allegri), I thought it would be only right to write my next piece focusing on a French Manager.
After browsing the internet for inspiration I stumbled across French outlet France Football’s list of their top 50 all-time managers which was based on trophies won, influence on the game, their personality and how their footprint has left a legacy on today's game.
In 50th place was the name of Jean-Claude Suaudeau of Nantes, a man who like Sacchi played a daring unique style of football which became to be known as le jeu à la Nantaise — roughly translated as “the Nantes Way”
Suaudeau’ took an unfashionable provincial football team from relative obscurity to the Champions League semi-finals and still boasts a French record as his side only lost once in a 38 game season in 1994/95 as the secured the French title with a ten-point gap over second-place Lyon.
Style of Play
Jean-Claude Suaudeau drew his inspiration from the likes of Ajax under Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. He also was a disciple of Basque coach José Arribas who he played under with Nantes, in which Suaudeau’s role in the side was at the base of midfield, patrolling in front of the defence, launching the fast attacks that his coach demanded. There is a possibility that Arribas’ influence on Suaudeau rubbed off onto the Frenchman as Suaudeua’s game had an extensive focus on both space and time.
In terms of style, Suaudeau despite his notion that the midfield is the key unit to success on the pitch, detested passive possession and was explicit in his instruction to the players — when the ball was won the first thought must be to move it forwards and quickly.
You have to be faster than you are, great teams master speed, they speed up or slow down whenever they want.
A longer pass to a strong forward would allow time for runners to attack space from midfield or if the ball was lost the strength of his midfield in transition gave another opportunity to win the ball (via the press).
The recovery of the ball was collective, Suaudeau seeing the strength of the team as being holistic and not defined by individual superiority.
Attacking Phase
Nantes played with a fluid offensive style of play, Suaudeau allowing his players to express themselves in the attacking third of the pitch, which often meant individuals were not tied to definitive positions.
Despite this, we could qualify the team as a 4–3–1–2 or a 4–4–2 diamond.
The match is won in the middle of the pitch, only midfielders can animate and inspire.
Ferri operated at the base of the midfield triangle, it was from this position that he would often initiate an attack by distributing the ball to a player in an advanced position. Ferri wasn’t a playmaker within the side, his role offered the protection to the attacking quintet which allowed them the freedom to express themselves.
Pedros exploited the left less than Makelele which created an imbalance, Suaudeau and his emphasis on working as a collective meant that Loko would often be found dropping deeper to fill this void.
In fact, it wasn’t unusual to see any of the attacking trio drop off to offer themselves for a pass, which would often create space in behind for the ball to played into.
Nantes in possession of the ball played with a high tempo and were renowned for playing the ball into space to be attacked.
The above gif is an example of the two combined, Imran Louza operating as the AM comes deep to receive the ball from Pedro Chirivella (BBM). Louza quickly lays the ball off to Jean-Kevin Augustin operating as a false-nine, who then plays the ball into the box on a diagonal angle which presents Randal Kolo Muani (CF) a clear cut chance which he neatly tucks away.
The above image is an in-game analysis which captures how Suaudeau’s offensive style of play has been transferred to FM.
Firstly, lets look into the average positions/heatmap with the ball;
- The DM is situated just inside his own half, it is from here that attacks can begin with the five players situated in front of him being progressive passing options.
- Both wing backs offer support to play, their main role is to shift the defensive block from side to side to help create space for a player in the center of the pitch.
- The heatmap has a greater denseness on the left-hand side half space, this is credit to the attacking playmaker (Pedros role).
- The half-space in the final third on the right has again seen more action, this is due to the presence of the BBM in this area/zone.
- Finally, you will note that there aren’t many touches within the box or zone 20, this is due to the ball being played into space.
Taking a look into the shooting positions, most are coming from inside the box with many from a high xG position.
Defensive Phase
Suaudeau believed the match was either won or lost in the middle of the pitch, for this reason he often set his team up out of possession in a middle block. The shape of the 4–3–1–2 created a densely packed midfield three in which the defensive unit would slide efficiently across the pitch with the main objective; to stop the ball entering the middle of the pitch.
In transition, Nantes would dominate any two-man midfield pairing played by the opposition. The central player (Ferri) did not sit between the lines like a modern holding midfielder instead he was part of a three-man pressing unit to constrict space even further.
It is the pressing that expresses combativeness
The aim of the press was to offer protection, giving individuals behind the time to recover, preventing the opposition the opportunity to turn on the ball and penetrate the heart of the game (Zone 20).
Again if the ball was lost in the final third, the counter press was often used to ensure sufficient protection was given by filling in space behind. Above you can see how Nantes have two players pressing Mbappe to allow the players behind the time to recover.
The above is an excellent example which captures Ludovic Blas fly out of his defensive shape in order to press the opposition. This pressure firstly stops the opponent from progressing the ball down the field and also Blas’ perseverance wins enables him to get in the tackle, again allowing his side the time to recover.
The above image is an in-game analysis which captures how Suaudeau’s defensive style of play has been transferred to FM.
Looking into the average positions/heatmap without the ball you will see the following;
- Without the ball Nantes fall into a 4–1–4–1 formation, the false-9 and the AM both dropping into the first line of the block to provide cover. Note how their positions aren’t to provide cover down the wide vertical channels.
- The mid-block focuses on protecting the heart of the field, forcing opponents out wide and away from goal.
FM Tactic
