{"id":420933,"date":"2019-04-30T04:46:52","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T08:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=420933"},"modified":"2019-04-30T04:46:52","modified_gmt":"2019-04-30T08:46:52","slug":"dusan-tadic-from-relegation-dogfights-to-the-champions-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/04\/30\/dusan-tadic-from-relegation-dogfights-to-the-champions-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Dusan Tadic: From Relegation Dogfights to the Champions League"},"content":{"rendered":"

This time last year, Du\u0161an Tadi\u0107<\/a> was celebrating a home win against Bournemouth<\/a> in the Premier League. The game ended in a 2-1 victory for the Southampton<\/a>, their first home win in six months. Despite the win, the Saints still found themselves in the relegation zone. By the end of the 2017\/18 season, Southampton were safe, but only by a mere three points. In June 2018,\u00a0Tadi\u0107 announced that he would be going back to the Eredivisie<\/a>, this time joining Dutch giants Ajax. Fast forward a year, and\u00a0Tadi\u0107 finds himself training for an upcoming Champions League semi-final<\/a> against\u00a0Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dusan Tadic: Relegation to Champions league<\/h1>\n

Underwhelming Time at Southampton<\/h2>\n

Tadi\u0107’s transfer announcement did not set the football world alight. His time at Southampton was seen as somewhat of a disappointment<\/a>, primarily due to his inconsistencies, which were a result of a couple of reasons. The first was the constant change of position. His time at Southampton saw Tadi\u0107 play in four different positions<\/a>: left wing, right wing, attacking midfielder and second striker. While it is crucial that players become flexible and versatile\u00a0in multiple positions, Tadi\u0107 playing various positions would not allow him to improve in specific skillsets.<\/p>\n

The second reason would be the constant change of managers during the time Tadi\u0107 was a player at Southampton. He played under four different managers who are known to have four very different styles of play. Ronald Koeman, who initially signed Tadi\u0107, was a tactically flexible manager for Southampton. He often changed his formations based on the opposition. Southampton, who were favourites to drop that year after\u00a0Mauricio Pochettino left the club, miraculously finished seventh. The next season was\u00a0Tadi\u0107’s best as a\u00a0Southampton player<\/a>. He had a return of eight goals and thirteen assists.\u00a0Koeman gave\u00a0Tadi\u0107 the freedom from either wing to create, stretch defences wide, and win\u00a0multiple fouls using his trickery which earned his team several dangerous set pieces.<\/p>\n

After\u00a0Koeman left\u00a0Southampton,\u00a0Tadi\u0107 began to underperform\u00a0because of the constant change in manager and football style. His next three managers at Southampton were Claude Puel, Mauricio Pellegrino and Mark Hughes. While all three managers set their teams up differently, they all focus on defensive tactics to get results. This did not suit\u00a0Tadi\u0107 at all, and it was evident in his performances as well as his demeanour off the pitch.<\/p>\n

Tadi\u0107’s Improvement Under Erik ten Hag<\/h2>\n

The most obvious reason as to why Tadi\u0107 is improving under Erik ten Hag is the same reason he excelled under\u00a0Ronald Koeman. He is given the freedom to create and does not have to worry as much about defensive duties. Due of this, he has recorded an astonishing 21 assists this season in all competitions<\/a>. This is a personal record. While he still often rotates along the front line, ten Hag often plays Tadi\u0107 in his preferred left wing position in league\u00a0games.<\/p>\n

However, in the Champions League, ten Hag has mostly used\u00a0Tadi\u0107 as a striker. This is a tactical move to allow\u00a0Tadi\u0107 to isolate and bully the centre-backs, which enables players like Donny van de Beek<\/a> and Hakim Ziyech<\/a>\u00a0to get forward. They, along with the fullbacks\u00a0Noussair Mazraoui<\/a> and\u00a0Nicol\u00e1s Tagliafico<\/a>, outnumber the opposition’s defence and flood the final third.<\/p>\n

Ajax as a team have also greatly improved because of\u00a0Tadi\u0107’s leadership. Before, they were a promising team but, with so many young players, it was filled with inexperience and naivety, something that ten Hag has publically discussed<\/a>. Now, when Ajax are down in a Champions League match against the reigning champions or are struggling in one of the tightest league races in Eredivisie history, players like\u00a0Tadi\u0107 can motivate and lead.<\/p>\n

What to Expect From Ajax in the Semi-Finals<\/h2>\n

Ajax love to press; it has been their primary tactic in the Champions League this season. Winning every second ball, outrunning the opponent, intercepting passes, are all reasons as to why they have been successful in their campaign. This has primarily worked because they are younger and seem much fitter than the teams they have played. An ageing Bayern Munich<\/a> and Real Madrid<\/a> side as well as Juventus, a team slow in transition. Spurs\u00a0are similar to Ajax in the fact that they have a\u00a0young\u00a0and fit squad. However, they have multiple key players who will be missing out due to injuries and suspensions.<\/p>\n

Ajax do not seem to care who they are playing. They blitz teams and try and force the ball into the back of the net, in whatever way possible. They are a team that embodies the saying ‘it isn’t over til it’s over,’ and\u00a0Tadi\u0107 will be a large part of that philosophy come tonight.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>