VfB Stuttgart vs Borussia Dortmund. Angelo Stiller’s match report.
In the latest showdown that unfolded on the pitch, one player stood out like a beacon of skill and strategic brilliance — Angelo Stiller. This match report takes you through the thrilling highlights of Stiller’s performance, showcasing a player whose every move seemed calculated for maximum impact. Far from the stereotypical descriptors, we delve into the dynamic and compelling presence that Stiller brought to the game, offering a fresh perspective on his contributions that left fans and adversaries alike in awe. Join us as we dissect the exciting twists and turns of the match, with Angelo Stiller at the forefront of a football narrative that transcends conventional labels.
For context; Angelo Stiller is a 22 year old (4th April 2001) midfielder who has been in the German first division since July 2019. That means he has been playing professionally since he was 18 years old. He started his career with Bayern München’s youth academy, though quickly caught the attention of top scouts in the league, since June 2021 and August 2023 he was playing with TSG Hoffenheim, then, it was that summer that he moved to his current club… VfB Stuttgart. My first section of notes will give you further context.
TACTICAL NOTES
- Stuttgart’s In-possession is super flexible and interchangeable between a 3–2–5 or a 4–2–4 box formation. Though, one thing that remains regardless of the reference point, for the most part, is a narrow pivot… Why? VfB wanted to always exploit the exterior half-spaces, though, why do they place so much importance on that..? It is simple, those sides of the half-spaces are in-line with the assist-zone. They used two outside receivers as the two STs, two inside-forwards out wide, and the pivot players must always be aware of how their positing is effecting the passing angles into those zones.
- Stuttgart used a 4–4–2 / 4–2–4 (+2 first line) press, that would quickly and naturally result in a 4+2 faux defensive base, with Stiller involved in that second line pivot. These phases, are where Stiller comes alive, and I will explain that later, about somewhat ‘re-starting’ the attacks after unsuccessful ‘faux-attacks’…
- Stuttgart where pressing against a 4–1 base (somewhat of a 4–3–3), though, the circulation tactics that BVB used in their midfield where super interesting and it certainly created questions while revealing a lot about who I was scouting. Essentially, Ozcan was as the holding midfielder / singular pivot player + Sabitzer and Nmecha as the two eights; The space manipulator (Sabitzer) would only create a situational pivot in the middle third (rather than to support build-up), the third man outlet (Nmecha) would become the free player from a deep position, rather than already being free. Also, these two roles could often symmetrically interchange between those two players during specifically the first half.
TECHNICAL NOTES
- I noticed very early in this game that, although he is primarily left-footed, he is quite comfortable on his right. This highlighted to me the usage of his shoulders, as his upper-body wasn’t notably strong. Also, it didn’t take long for me to identify how frequently he would break BVB’s lines of pressure, this shows the elite distance / weight that he can generate on his passes, and we also know that he understands how he can generate the power still.
- Angelo Stiller is a volume controller, you already know that he plays in the midfield, though, what exactly is a ‘volume controller’…? It is simply taking extra touches in the attempt to create new PROGRESSIVE angles / to bait players towards you and away from your teammates. To be a volume controller, you must utilise the ‘navicular’ part of your foot with your foot making contact with the ball from a lateral / diagonal position. This, is EXACTLY what Stiller done so, so well during this match, and, I’ve got some data to prove it; Over the last 365 days, Angelo has averaged 2.45 SCA (shot creation actions) Live-ball passes per90, having him in the 82nd percentile. This means nothing by-it-self, though, coupled with the understanding of the phases that Stuttgart find themselves playing in the most, a clearer picture will begin to form… What did I say about how they capitalised on BVB’s failed ‘faux-attacks’..?
MENTAL NOTES
- Stiller rarely received in Stuttgart’s settled first phase, their centre-backs rarely passed directly to him. This, is something I must see more on to understand, though, with the data I have, I know that; Stiller is in the 52nd percentile for touches in his team’s defensive third, with 13.07 per90, this is the lowest that he ranks in the ‘touches per thirds’ metric, in the 52nd percentile.
PHYSICAL NOTES
- Stiller is a far better counter-presser than he is a standard presser. It is worth me saying that, 1) his line-breaking passes that I have talked about in here take place via a teammate of his creating a transition then trusting Stiller to launce the counter-attacks. Yes, they are indeed different phases. And, 2) about the structure that I said Stuttgart where pressing against, it created situational 2v1s that tested the S-A (split-attention) of Stiller, he became a lot more passive OOP against these overloads.
- Stiller is 183 cm / 6'0 tall, backing up the claim I made about his counter-pressing, I’ve got some more data to support that observation; he averages 1.13 tackles won in the middle third per90, placing him in the 73rd percentile, across the last 365 days again.
