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'Teams do their homework' on set-pieces - Gabbiadini
TL;DR
Marco Gabbiadini emphasizes the growing importance of set-pieces in football, noting that teams now conduct thorough analyses to counteract their threats. The trend includes hiring dedicated set-piece coaches to enhance scoring and defending strategies.
Key points
- Marco Gabbiadini highlights the importance of set-pieces.
- Teams now conduct thorough analyses to counter set-piece threats.
- Many clubs employ dedicated set-piece coaches.
[Getty Images]
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says set-pieces have "always been important," but "teams do their homework" now to minimise the threat of them.
How clubs score and defend set-pieces has been an ongoing topic of conversation this season, with the majority of teams now having a dedicated set-piece coach and style.
"You used to rely on the commitment of players, in terms of putting their bodies on the line and jumping into situations," said Gabbiadini to BBC Radio Newcastle. "I think the height differences were different as well [in the past] as the average height of a Premier League footballer is over six-foot.
"You now have the situation where everyone is pretty decent so who do you mark?
"Set pieces come down to chance. Sunderland scored quite a lot from them in the first third of the season and now it's dropped off a little bit.
"One of my jobs as a goalscorer was to try and get on the end of things and for corners, the manager wanted me to be free and find where the gap is. You could make the same run for 20 games and not get on the end of it, but then get to it three games in a row, so there is so much chance involved."
On why Sunderland have become less of a threat from set-pieces as the season has gone on, Gabbiadini said: "The delivery and the way the players can shape the ball now does cause defenders a problem.
"Sunderland's corners have never been among the best and they have always struggled to put a good ball in. That's an area that you could argue they need to do better in.
"I think Regis le Bris is right in that teams do evolve through a season and other teams do their homework.
"They have worked out what Sunderland were doing early doors from set-pieces and you have always got to stay ahead of the game.
"It's like long-throws. Less teams are doing them now because teams have worked out how to defend them.
"You've got to find that extra one per cent all the time."
Listen to Gabbiadini on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip below
Q&A
Why are set-pieces becoming more important in football?
Set-pieces are increasingly important as teams now analyze them more thoroughly to minimize threats, leading to more strategic approaches in scoring and defending.
How have set-piece strategies changed in modern football?
Modern football sees teams employing dedicated set-piece coaches and developing specific styles to enhance their effectiveness during set-piece situations.
What role does player height play in set-pieces?
Player height is significant in set-pieces, as the average height of Premier League footballers has increased, impacting how teams approach both scoring and defending during these situations.
