6 top European clubs that have changed tactics in the 2014/15 season

The world of football is an ever-changing playground and even the best teams must evolve if they want to avoid being left behind. That ability to keep pushing forward is the most important characteristic of the best teams and managers, and often separates the good from the great.This season has been no different with a number of Europe’s elite making notable transformations over the past few months to their playing styles. Here are six big clubs who are now benefiting from those modifications:

#1 Manchester United

After the humiliating ill-fated David Moyes era, change was inevitable at Old Trafford this season and Louis van Gaal has definitely implemented a whole host of new ideas.

Most notably, the regular use of three defenders has ushered in a new style of play – whilst the move has been received with mixed emotions, the overall change in philosophy has largely been positive.

The Red Devils have reverted to a strong attacking line-up, with the likes of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and the emerging James Wilson all providing plenty of firepower up top. Meanwhile, skipper Wayne Rooney has primarily been deployed in a more reserved role, allowing his tenacious and creative sides to thrive.

Manchester United have also used the wings to much greater effect than they did under Moyes, using it in bursts rather than pre-dominantly, with Ashley Young becoming just one of the names to benefit from this switch. It is still someway short of the width that Sir Alex Ferguson used, but is a step in the right direction.

This is still a work in progress for the Dutch manager but his influence has at least steadied the ship in 2014/15, as a presumed return to Champions League football will attest.

#2 Juventus

Having inherited a fantastic squad from now-Italy boss Antonio Conte, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri could have easily sat back and allowed his stars to continue their Serie A dominance in a similar fashion. However, the former AC Milan manager has been quick to make his own mark in Turin.

Allegri has tried a number of formations over the course of this season, but it is clear that his main target is to transform Juventus into a more attractive team. The proof is in the pudding as Carlos Tevez currently tops the Scudetto scoring charts.

Juve’s domestic dominance under Conte was mind-blowing, with them winning all 19 home matches last term. However, Allegri is determined to turn the Italian giants into genuine Champions League contenders once more. Unsurprisingly, the new manager has given Paul Pogba an instrumental role within the side.

The champions are enjoying far greater possession under their new head coach, thanks largely to the authority of Pogba and Andrea Pirlo. Equally significant, though, is the fact they’ve also produced more shots per game on goal than last term.

Domestically speaking, it would’ve been near impossible to better Conte’s side. However, Allegri has at least matched that whilst building a team more likely to create headlines in Europe.

#3 Real Madrid

The mark of a genuine world-class team is that it continues to improve even after it reaches the top. That’s exactly what the Champions League holders have tried to do in 2014/15.

Eyebrows were raised as Carlo Ancelotti allowed Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria to depart, but the replacements in the form of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos have been crucial to Real’s new tactical approach. Going forward, they still deploy the 4-3-3. However, when defending, they now opt for a 4-4-2.

That interchangeable tactical approach has brought huge success for the team, who recorded a record 22-match winning streak earlier in the campaign. The fact that they look to control possession more helps them build better. It has also afforded more freedom to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has definitely made the most of it by scoring an incredible 28 goals in just 18 La Liga appearances.

In fact, the Blancos have hit a total of 70 goals already and look set to easily surpass last year’s tally of 104. What was already the best team in world football has kicked on a notch over the past few months and it is frightening to think what they could achieve between now and the season’s end.

#4 Chelsea

At a glance, there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the way that Jose Mourinho has lined his team up in 2014/15. In reality, though, this is a completely revamped side who are truly benefiting from the implemented changes.

The biggest improvement is the return of an out-and-out striker. Chelsea’s failure to find a decent leading striker was their main downfall in 2013/14 and the arrival of Diego Costa has proved to be a stroke of genius by the Special One.

Additionally, the creativity of Cesc Fabregas, who offers a different but equally influential contribution than predecessor Frank Lampard, has been a major driving force for the Blues. However, it is arguably Nemanja Matic who has made the biggest improvement.

The Serbian actually joined last January but has really settled into life at Stamford Bridge this term, forming a wonderful partnership with Fabregas at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield and allowing the likes of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Willian to really thrive in the attacking third.

Last season, Mourinho declared that this would be the year for his team to shine. It looks as though he was spot on once more.

#5 Barcelona

A season without trophies is considered unacceptable at the Camp Nou and it is no surprise that we’ve seen some major developments at the Catalan giants over the past few months.

As well as last season’s lacklustre campaign, Barcelona’s new head coach Luis Enrique had to contend with a major upheaval in defence as long-serving veterans Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes made their La Liga exits.

However, Enrique has instilled a far more reserved philosophy for his defenders with the full-backs making a noteworthy change to the frequency of their forward charges. That’s not to say those players don’t move forward, but there is much more thought involved in those moves.

That has naturally resulted in a much greater defensive record. In fact, Barca have shipped a goal just 11 times this season, making their defence the most economical in the division. Additionally, the switch to man-marking on set-pieces has caused a dramatic decrease in goals conceded from those situations.

Further up the field, the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and record signing Luis Suarez have utilised the wings to much greater impact. It’s an equally successful philosophy that opponents have really struggled to contain, with the three of them offering a very fluid formation, which sees them all switching positions constantly.

#6 Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola enjoyed a pretty successful first year with Bayern Munich last season, but the German giants were left utterly humiliated as Real Madrid ripped them apart in the Champions League semi-final. The Spaniard has made a number of notable changes to ensure that doesn’t happen again.

The former Barcelona manager was too focused on using that Barca style of play in Germany last year, but has sacrificed some of those qualities in 2014/15 by implementing a more direct philosophy at the Allianz Arena.

Of course, his hand was slightly forced by the summer arrival of Robert Lewandowski from rivals Borussia Dortmund, but it is Xabi Alonso’s impact that has really made the difference. The Spaniard’s calming influence has allowed Guardiola to use just one holding midfielder, rather than having two of them sit in front of the defence.

That in turn has allowed Bayern to cause even more problems in the attacking third, with Thomas Muller often linking up with Lewandowski to create havoc in the opponent’s half, whilst the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery continue to enjoy plenty of success on the wings.

Guardiola still faces some challenges as he perfects this Spanish-German marriage of philosophies, but it’s already looking pretty formidable. You wouldn’t want to bet against the Bavarians securing a return to the top of the Champions League soon.