Game of Numbers #10: Tactical Analysis of Marcus Thuram and Miguel Almirón
In this edition of our “Game of Numbers” series, we delve into the tactical nuances shaping modern football, spotlighting players whose influence extends far beyond their goal and assist tallies. This issue features an in-depth look at how Marcus Thuram dismantled Borussia Dortmund with his transitional play and the impressive resurgence of Miguel Almirón at Newcastle United.
Marcus Thuram: Master of Transition Against Borussia Dortmund
Marco Reus’s absence has exposed Borussia Dortmund’s ongoing struggles with defensive transitions, a flaw brutally highlighted during their recent faceoff with Borussia Monchengladbach. Daniel Farke’s side capitalized with quick, direct play through midfield channels, and at the heart of these lethal counters was Marcus Thuram.
Positioned as the focal point whenever Monchengladbach won back possession, Thuram’s relentless runs exploited the space behind Dortmund’s high defensive line. His ability to make himself the first outlet in transition proved decisive, particularly since Dortmund left out their combative midfielder Salih Özcan, further exposing their shaky defense.
Gladbach lined up in a 4-2-3-1 but quickly shifted into a 4-4-2 when out of possession, pressing aggressively with Christoph Kramer supporting Thuram up front. While defenders like Ramy Bensebaini and Kouadio Koné were solid at the back, it was Gladbach’s devastating speed in attack that broke down Dortmund. Thuram routinely positioned himself on the left side of Mats Hummels (Dortmund’s slower center-back) or between Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck, primed to latch onto through balls from Jonas Hofmann and Lars Stindl.
Hofmann, a former Dortmund player, thrived in a creative role and delivered two assists, utilizing slick interplay through midfield and perfect timing with Thuram’s runs. Thuram’s clever movement, choosing moments to dart out-to-in or in-to-out, often left Hummels scrambling. Unable to match Thuram’s pace or anticipate his diagonal runs, Hummels endured a difficult evening and was eventually substituted, replaced by Antonios Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos, recognizing Thuram’s pace, dropped deeper, but this only shifted Thuram’s points of attack, highlighting the persistent dilemma Dortmund faced. With Hofmann regularly bursting through midfield and Thuram always an option over the top, Dortmund’s high line was repeatedly breached. Crucially, the absence of Özcan, Dortmund’s usual disruptor in midfield, contributed significantly to their inability to halt Gladbach’s attacks.
In the end, while Thuram could have added more goals and assists to his tally, his performance exemplified the devastating impact of a direct, pacey striker in transition-heavy tactical setups.
Miguel Almirón: From Standing Reserve to Newcastle United’s Key Man
Few expected Miguel Almirón to become a critical cog in Newcastle United’s attack at the start of the current season. Previously in and out of the lineup, Almirón had scored only 9 goals over three seasons and managed just one in the previous campaign. Under Eddie Howe’s management, however, Almirón’s career has undergone a dramatic revival.
This season, his output has surged; he’s already closing in on surpassing his previous three-season goal tally in just one campaign. But Almirón’s contribution isn’t limited to scoring—virtually every aspect of his game has improved. His defensive work rate is now a hallmark of Howe’s high-energy system, and his relentless pressing set the tone in matches like Newcastle’s decisive 1-0 win over Chelsea, where he provided a crucial assist for Joe Willock’s game-winning goal.
Almirón’s technical qualities have been displayed in numerous penetrating runs, often cutting inside on his favored left foot. His capacity to shift the ball between his feet and engage defenders 1-on-1 offers Newcastle an invaluable attacking dimension. In tandem with players like Bruno Guimarães and Kieran Trippier, Almirón continually stretches defenses, creating space and confusion for opposition backlines.
Against Chelsea’s back-three, Almirón consistently found gaps between the center-back and wing-back, forcing defenders like Kalidou Koulibaly to step out and inadvertently open avenues for his teammates. Although his dribbling success rate is below that of some peers, his willingness to repeatedly attack defenders and play incisive passes keeps Newcastle’s attack unpredictable and threatening.
Defensively, Almirón has reached new heights. He wins an impressive 73.6% of his defensive duels, the highest in his direct attacker cohort, and averages 6.39 successful defensive actions per 90 minutes, eclipsed only by Everton’s Anthony Gordon. His tackling improvement (now at 61.5% success) solidifies his status as both an attacking and defensive asset—making him indispensable for Newcastle.
Whether Almirón can sustain these performance levels remains to be seen. For now, he stands among the Premier League’s standout wingers, embodying the spirit and tactical demands of Howe’s Newcastle.
Explore More Tactical Insights
Continue your exploration of football’s evolving tactical landscape with more articles from the “Game of Numbers” series, including deep dives into other standout performers and positional evolutions.
- Game of Numbers #9 – Moukoko Madness
- Game of Numbers #8 – Alexis Loera’s Midfield Shift
- Game of Numbers #7 – Ben White’s Right-Back Revolution
Stay tuned for further editions as we continue to reveal the numbers and tactics defining the modern game.
