The fluidity of Tim Walter’s Stuttgart
Despite being currently unemployed, Tim Walter will be a coaching candidate for a few Bundesliga sides and majority of the German Second Division sides with an opening. This is due to the tactical nuances of his style as well as the way he has redefined the centre-back and defensive midfield positions in his system. He seeks to control games with fluidity in build-up due to players constantly interchanging positions to progress play as he honed his style at Holstein Kiel and Stuttgart. A former Bayern Munich II coach, he has a CV and style which could be of interest to a few teams as he seeks to prove that he can build a stable and well-balanced team which could last for a full season.
Build-up
The discerning facet of Walter’s system is the centre-back pushing into the six space in order to continue his involvement in build-up play while stimulating interchanges that make Walter’s side a harder team to press in a man-orientated fashion. This results in increased ball-playing responsibilities for the goalkeeper and the fullbacks as Walter’s Stuttgart will create constant movements and rotations to fill established roles in their build-up shape. They will normally utilise a three-chain in build-up made up of a centre-back, flanked by his two fullbacks with heavy goalkeeper involvement to create numerical superiorities with the opposition press. During pre-season, a back-pass to the goalkeeper would trigger further wide rotations as the fullbacks/wide centre-backs will push up into the higher areas hugging the touch line while the wide midfielders would drop into the three-chain as at times the wingers would even be forced to move deeper. This was to deny the opposition triggering a higher press by pinning them back with interchanges and denying them access to direct markers.
In the situation above, Stuttgart’s back pass to the goalkeeper has triggered a higher press from the opposition but Stuttgart have a 4v3 numerical superiority to play their way out of pressure. The goalkeeper has a marker leaving the ball-near defender available for a one-touch pass to work the ball out of pressure as the wide defender will have access to the six space and wide passing options to continue to progress play. A favoured Walter routine is to work the ball back to the goalkeeper, so the opposition can push up to press the goalkeeper normally leaving the most central defender open for the keeper to work a pass to the central centre-back. In the situation above, the defender can evade pressure by receiving the ball while swivelling to his right to evade his marker and have a better view of the pitch to move the ball into the next line. The wide rotations and movements as well as the involvement of the goalkeeper has created issues in the opposition’s man-orientated pressing structure to create space for an extra player.
The players have all positioned themselves to create adequate vertical passing angles for each other as Walter’s sides progress play through direct vertical passing sequences and third man interchanges. For instance, the ball-near wide centre-back is positioned perfectly for a one-touch pass as if he draws both of the markers, the pass back to the central centre-back will be available and would eliminate three players with a simple one-two. The other centre-back will be positioned in the six space as a passing option while a wide midfielder will be positioned in the half-space with a winger in the lateral zone hugging the touchline, so Stuttgart can have access to central connections and an avenue to wide build-up interchanges.
Stuttgart normally use a 3+1 build-up shape which is unique because of the sum of its parts with the fullbacks forming a three chain with a deeper centre-back while the other centre-back pushes into the six space. This gives Stuttgart an additional midfield presence in the higher areas as the deepest lying midfielder focuses on creating 4v3 overloads in wide build-up triangles or as a passing option in between the lines. Walter prefers to work direct and line-breaking vertical moves with direct passes in between the lines as his side’s unique build-up shape gives him numerical and spacial advantages in the wide areas as well as in between the lines.
In the picture above, Stuttgart’s unique build-up shape has established a 3v2 numerical superiority against the opposition’s first wave of pressure as well as numerical and spacial advantages in the second wave of pressure. The player spacing gives an indication of Walter’s preference for direct vertical combinations as the centre-back has direct access to both of his wide options while on the right flank, Stuttgart have formed a triangle for wide vertical rotations with access to the central areas. The fullback is about to receive the ball with the wide midfielder in the half-spaces while the winger is in the lateral zone as the centre-back pushing into midfield has allowed the deepest lying midfielder to push higher next to the wide midfielder as a direct vertical passing option.
Stuttgart also switch the ball frequently when possession is in the defensive line or midfield line as their deepest-lying midfielder is positioned higher to receive the ball, swivel and work a pass to the opposite flank. They can also work direct switches from one fullback in the three-chain to another to move the opposition line of pressure and create pockets of space in the opposition defensive structure. In the situation above, if Stuttgart drag the opposition to the right side before switching to the left side of the three-chain, they are already well-prepared for vertical combinations as the centre-back in the six space will move to each side as a direct passing option while the fullback will also have the option of working sequences with their own wide midfielder and winger.
As well as switching, Walter’s side can also be more direct when working long balls into attackers if they manage to create 1v1 situations or to make runs in behind for goalscoring opportunities. Their striker, Mario Gomez is strong at winning possession in the air and holding the ball up for teammates while they also have pacy attackers like Silas Wamangituka, Phillip Forster and Nicolas Gonzalez to make central runs in behind Gomez or runs into the channels.
In the final phase of his tenure at Stuttgart, Walter began to utilize Pascal Stenzel as a ball-playing midfielder as the right-back would drive inside from his right back position, working combinations with a centre-back or deep-lying midfielder to then move into the six space and distribute from that position. However, this will create issues upon ball-loss as Stuttgart would be caught in a narrow shape with no cover in the wide areas, so teams could create counter attacking opportunities in the space that Stenzel evacuated.
Walter’s system allows for fluid interchanges in the wide areas as Stuttgart had numerical superiority as in situation above is 5v5 as they evacuate the six space, so the midfielder can move into the wide areas to participate in interchanges. The wide centre-back has the option to drive further into the opposition half to attract markers as the wide midfielder will then drop into the three chain as a free-man and an option for a back-pass. Stuttgart have also drawn their opposition to one side of the pitch in order to work switch balls to the weak side for 1v1s and low crossing opportunities. In order to have better connections in build-up, Walter utilised Gonzalo Castro as a left-back who would move into the left centre-back role as his abilities as a dribbler and a passer made him an essential facet of Stuttgart’s build-up play.
Stuttgart will also work sequences where they will play a back-pass to the keeper with the keeper receiving the ball and the three-chain of the two fullbacks flanking the centre-backs as they will be marked by the opposition press. The ball-near wide centre-back will drop deep with a winger also dropping behind him for the goalkeeper to work a pass to the winger who will have the option of playing the ball to the centre-back who has pushed up into the six-space while the attacking midfielder and ball-near 8 will also move to that flank to create overloads and receive possession. In certain situations, Stuttgart will switch to a four-chain which will trigger an attacking player dropping deeper for a direct line-breaking pass in the centre or they will move the ball into the wide areas for the CB to push into the midfield line for a vertical pass where Stuttgart will have created a triangle with an 8 as well as the attacking midfielder dropping deeper to work rotations to move the ball forward. When the ball is moved to the six-space, one of the players will move into the ten space to receive possession in triangular passing sequence.
Wide Combinations
With the positioning of the wide centre-back in the half-space, the wide midfielder in the lateral zone, the deepest-lying midfielder in the half-space and the winger in the lateral zone with players tucking in from the centre and opposite flank, Walter’s Stuttgart created quick one-touch wide interchanges and rotations. Walter’s side play vertical interchanges constantly searching for depth with options in between the lines as Stuttgart looked to move the ball into the lateral zones and half-spaces for low crossing opportunities. Stuttgart would also frequently work wide interchanges on one flank and switch the ball through back-passes to the keeper or direct switches as they look for the flank with space to work wide movements and passing sequences to progress play.
In the situation above, Stuttgart have stretched the pitch as they have created a 3v3/3v2 possibility in the wide area as they have opened a passing lane back into the centre. The widest player is working a ball back into the centre for the central player to work a one-touch pass for the player in the half-spaces. They can also work a conventional 3v3 where the player in possession can work a one-two with the player in the half-space in order to make a run in behind to work a cross for a teammate making a movement towards the near post. The wide three players have immense support from attackers and midfielders moving into the wide areas to create a 5v4 situation as the opposition have a compact defensive shape in the centre. The player in possession can also work a pass into the box for the wider striker to run onto and cut back into the box for a teammate.
If Stuttgart switch the ball to the flank, the wing-back, ball-near attacker and midfielder will be occupying the wide zones as if the wing-back receives possession in the lateral zone then the player in the half-space, which will normally be the attacker, will push higher as a passing higher as a direct passing option. The fullback can then move into the centre while the wide midfielder will make an overlapping run to the lateral zone to disorient their markers as the player in the half-space can work a cut-back inside or play a pass for the midfielder in the lateral zone to have a crossing opportunity. Walter’s side will constantly work these rotations in between the wide to create high quality low crossing or cut-back opportunities by generating space with movement. Walter uses Philipp Forster and Nicolas Gonzalez as wide attackers to connect play in the half-spaces as well as Orel Mangala and Santiago Ascacibar as midfield 8s who will participate in wide connections while making late runs into the box.
Stuttgart look to create goalscoring opportunities from crossing situations and will use switches to create space in the wide areas for crossing opportunities. To create a switching opportunity, Stuttgart have opened a passing lane into the centre for the midfielder who will receive the ball and switch to a wide player making a run on the opposite flank for a low or near post crossing opportunity. In situations where they have possession in the final third, Stuttgart will use patience in approach play, even utilizing back passes to work the ball to deeper players with a much better overview of the pitch. In the deeper areas, they can work switching opportunities through short passes into the pockets for central players to work through balls for wide players in the channels. The players in the deeper areas can also work direct switches to the other flank for crossing opportunities.
Positional Play
Stuttgart under Walter sought to work possession in the opposition half through vertical interchanges with players dropping deep to receive possession during interchanges. They would also use more direct methods of play by using movement to create space for attackers in the channels, so they can work balls into the half-spaces to stretch the opposition defence and create shooting opportunities for their strikers. If they are in the higher and wider areas, looking to work passes back into the centre, central players would drop into space to receive possession and work central interchanges to create high quality shooting opportunities.
In the situation above, Stuttgart are working possession into the wide centre-back as the central centre-back can play a pass into the wide areas before pushing into the six-space to receive a pass from the wide centre-back to give Stuttgart numerical superiority in that area, allowing him to work interchanges with the deepest-lying midfielder before switching the ball to the wide zone. Or Stuttgart can work a routine where they play a pass to the wide centre-back, for the midfielder and wide attacker to drop closer to him in that zone as the wide centre-back can work a one-two with the attacker in the half-space to attract pressure before chipping the ball over for the player in the lateral zone to be a third man runner and have a low crossing opportunity. Stuttgart can also work a move where they can work a pass to the wide centre-back as the central midfielder in the central zone will move closer to the wide zone with either a higher midfielder dropping into his position or the central centre-back pushing into the six-space. The wide centre-back will then work a pass to the winger hugging the touchline in the lateral zone who will then lay-off to the midfielder, while moving into the half-space and creating space in the lateral zone, as the midfielder would have moved into open space in the half-space to play a pass through for the attacker in the half-space to make a third man run in behind the lateral zone to receive possession to cut-back for the strikers.
Their build-up shape allows them to engineer passing options in the second-line as if they move the ball to one of the fullbacks with the centre-back pushing into the six-space, the deepest-lying midfielder will be available for a vertical pass into the centre while if Daniel Didavi is playing as an attacking midfielder, he will drop into the eight space to allow one of his teammates to push into the opposition half. The centre-back will also push into the opposition half in possession to create numerical superiority to thread a ball into the wide areas for a low cross. Walter’s Stuttgart will also look like a 1-3-6 with the central centre-back remaining as the deepest player by the half-way line with the fullbacks pushing up but maintaining a safe distance from the lone centre-back to drop next to him if Stuttgart lose possession. At times, Marc Oliver Kempf will move onto the edge of the box as a midfielder as if he drives the ball into the opposition half from his centre-back role then he will remain in the opposition half maintaining a position in the six-space.
Stuttgart would utilise constant movement in possession as a player will constantly drop deeper to provide a passing option for the man in possession as if the ball is moved to the wide areas, the player in the half-space will push higher for a through ball or to drag a marker and create a passing lane in the centre while an attacker in the box would drop into space in the centre to receive possession. At times, Stuttgart will work back-passes to encourage the opposition defensive line to push higher before working a switch ball to the wide areas for the wide player to get in behind and have a low crossing opportunity. Walter found it pertinent to always have a wide attacker in the half-space as if Stuttgart had a crossing opportunity then a player would make a run to the near post to receive a ball then have a high-quality cut-back opportunity. Walter also likes to have an attacker in the half-space in the case of direct switch-balls as they can work a sequence where they switch the ball to one flank for the player in the half-space to push up to receive the ball. Stuttgart can then switch the ball to the weak side for the wide-player to work a one-touch lay-off for the player in the half-space to have a shooting opportunity on goal.
Walter’s side can also work combinations to shift the ball into the centre as the attacker in the half-space can receive the ball to flick-on for the higher central midfielder who will make a blind-sided movement in between the lines to receive possession to work a pass for a striker in behind or switch the ball to the far side then make a run into the box for a low crossing opportunity. The attackers in the half-space are free 8s who are tasked with connecting in the wide zones, making late runs to the back-post for crosses and making movements in the final third to receive the ball in tight spaces and create numerical superiority. Walter usually prefers to operate with a front five as once his side move the ball into the next line, the central centre-back will push into midfield and the ball-near eight will push higher to create a front five in a 2-3-5 which will change with positional alternations as Stuttgart shift possession.
Stuttgart’s player spacing utilises triangles all over the pitch for the progression of play as they can work back-passes into the keeper and drop into a shape with the wide centre-backs forming a back two and attracting pressure, allowing the keeper to play a pass into the player dropping into the six-space as Stuttgart will maintain numerical superiority in the centre while the opposition back-line would have pushed up in the pressure phase for Walter’s side to have the opportunity to work a direct ball in behind for one of the striker’s to have an opportunity to get in behind and have a shot on goal. Stuttgart will frequently work the ball back to the keeper in positional play sequences to work goalkeeper involvements to attract and evade pressure before working a switch ball and using quick vertical combinations into space to create shooting opportunities. In certain situations, Stuttgart will only have one player dropping with the midfielder dropping into the six-space and the goalkeeper and defender forming a two-chain while they will have a midfield line of three.
Players will drop to create triangles and establish vertical connections to progress play as if the ball is worked to the six-space then shifted out wide, the midfielder in the six-space will then move into the half-space with a wide attacker dropping deep while one of the midfielder’s in the higher areas will drop into the six space. He won’t directly drop into the six-space as he will only gradually move into the six-space when the midfielder in the half-space receives possession, he will drop into the six area as a passing option to receive possession and turn to work a ball into the centre or switch a pass to the far side.
The possibilities for Stuttgart to work direct passes for attackers in the channels are available as if the ball is worked to the wide centre-back then the attacker in the half-space can make a blind-sided movement into the lateral zone to receive possession as the ball-near striker will make a looping run under his marker and into the space in between the centre-back and fullback to receive possession in that zone from the attacker in the half-space to have an opportunity to cut back for his strike partner or take a shot on goal himself. Stuttgart can also switch the ball to the far side where they have a highly placed fullback stretching play, an attacker in the wider area who will push up into the half-space to receive possession as the midfielder in that zone will either push into the central areas for a cross or move into the wider areas to work 3v3 interchanges.
Counter-pressing
Walter’s side counter-pressed ferociously in order to regain possession in the higher areas to quickly shift the ball into the open spaces in the opposition defence. Stuttgart would focus on the first wave of the press, at times leaving spaces in the second line in order to regain possession and shift the ball onto the ball-far side for attackers making runs from deep to have high quality shooting opportunities inside the box. If Walter’s side are in a counter-pressing situation and the fullbacks are pushed up high, leaving a centre-back as the deepest-lying player then the two fullbacks will drop alongside the centre-back to establish a three-chain while if the opposition manage to establish a break, the centre-back will simply drop into a centre-back position to create four chain to defend against counters. Before the centre-back drops in to create a four-chain, his primary focus will be pushing up to win interceptions to recycle possession before dropping into the defence.
In the situation above, Stuttgart have four players regaining possession on one flank in order to create an attacking situation with the players being within a close distance to work quick combinations to create a low crossing situation or to shift the ball to a central player who will then spread the ball to a runner on the weak side who will have a shooting opportunity inside the box. Stuttgart maintain a focus on winning possession with the first wave of pressure as if the opposition manage to break that line, the deeper-lying midfielder is focused on pushing up to win an interception. If the opposition breaks the midfield line the centre-backs will push up to regain possession as a unit in order to regain possession but also to use an offside trap for deeper attacking runs from the opposition.
In certain situations, Walter’s Stuttgart would leave themselves vulnerable in behind the first line of pressure as a well-drilled opposition counter could lead to them conceding a goal. If Stuttgart lose possession with their rotations in the first phase of build-up play, it is another fashion in which the opposition could have a clear-cut goalscoring opportunity. At times, Stuttgart would resort to tactical fouling if an attacker managed to get in behind their defence as Walter knew the opportunity cost of focusing on the first wave of the counter-press would be conceding counters while the opportunity would be regaining possession near the opposition box to create clear cut opportunities with a fewer number of passes.
Pressing
Walter’s Stuttgart pressed high in a 4-4-2 diamond or 4-3-3 as they would push high into the opposition half and even press the keeper. They would like to regain possession in the opposition half to create high quality goalscoring opportunities in the opposition box. Their press will be triggered by back-passes as their defensive block will push higher to force a turnover or long-ball. If the opposition shifts possession to the wide zones then the ball-near striker will close down the passing lane to the ball-near centre-back, the ball-near wide-midfielder will close down the player in possession with attacking midfielder, deepest-lying midfielder and ball-near fullback shifting across to close down the opposition and regain possession through numerical superiority.
In the situation above, Stuttgart are pressing in a diamond formation as they are transitioning from a lateral press to a high pressing phase. Their strikers will normally mark the opposition centre-backs while their attacking midfielder will mark the opposition defensive midfielder. In lateral pressing situations, Stuttgart will leave the deepest-lying midfielder free at times for the opposition to work passes into him as Walter’s side will seek to outnumber him to regain possession. In the picture above, the ball is worked back to the keeper and the ball-far striker is shifting from his man-marking responsibility to force a long-ball or a loose pass that Stuttgart can intercept. It is intriguing to notice that Stuttgart’s diamond has shifted to the ball-near side to provide coverage and numerical superiority in hopes of winning a turnover and creating a goalscoring opportunity.
In the picture above, Stuttgart have also worked a situation where their diamond has numerical and spacial superiority in the opposition six space. If the keeper plays the ball to the six-space then, the midfielder will move up to press while the ball-near midfielder while the left attacker will support while closing the passing lane to one of the centre-backs. The other striker will move to close down the other centre-back as Stuttgart may tease a pass into the opposition left-back which will trigger pressure from the Stuttgart right midfielder as Walter’s side will transition into a lateral pressing situation to create numerical superiority and regain possession on that flank.
In certain situations, Stuttgart would have a press that looked like a 4-1-3-2 shape as they focused on man-marking the opposition’s first two lines to force a long-ball or regain possession. If the opposition beat this wave of pressure, the centre-backs would have the responsibility of pushing up to support the defensive midfielder and regain possession to create goalscoring opportunities with quick passing sequences. At times Stuttgart can also press in a high and staggered 4-3-3 if one striker pushes up to press the keeper, the ball-near midfielder will push up into the front line to close down passing access to the most obvious opposition player as the midfield will also be staggered with two higher midfielder and a deeper-lying midfielder. In these situations, Stuttgart will press the opposition box to force a lobbed ball which will be recovered in midfield to create opportunities.
Defensive Phase
Walter’s Stuttgart preferred not to be in their defensive shape for large periods of time as they negate this with their counter-pressing, looking to constantly win the ball in the opposition half. Even when Stuttgart were in their defensive shape, they will constantly look for triggers to push up and press the ball and regain possession to create attacking opportunities. Stuttgart would drop into a back four or five, depending on the situation rather than the game as if the opposition moved deeper into the Stuttgart half then they would form a back five, if they were pushing up in a medium block or a higher press then they would switch to a back five.
In the picture above, Stuttgart are in a 5-4-1/4-1-4-1 shape as they are looking to force the opposition into a back-pass, so they can push up and regain possession in a higher press or force the opposition into the wider areas where they will lateral press with ferocity, looking for numerical superiority. If the opposition move the ball back to the keeper, then Stuttgart will seamlessly switch to their 4-4-2/4-3-1-2 high press with the strikers marking the centre-backs and the attacking midfielder marking the opposition six space. The defence will also push up, so they are able to work an offside trap and deny the opposition the opportunity to work lobbed balls in behind. The opposition are looking to work the ball into the wide areas as Stuttgart will respond by shifting into a 3v1 situation with the winger, midfielder and fullback shifting across to close down the opposition winger in that area to regain possession.
If the opposition are looking to work a pass into the six-space, then Stuttgart’s midfield will push forward to regain possession while if they manage to get the ball to their midfielder in between the lines then the Stuttgart midfield will look to regain possession. If the opposition work a switch ball as they have a 2v1 numerical superiority on the far side, then the Stuttgart midfielder will drop into the defensive chain as a centre-back while the fullback will shift across with the winger and midfielder to create another 3v2 situation to deny the opposition a crossing opportunity. If Stuttgart win possession in the wide areas then, the centre-back will push up into the six-space while the deepest-lying midfielder will move towards the man in possession to provide a vertical passing option to beat the first line of pressure. Stuttgart can also pass the ball back to the goalkeeper and working their build-up rotations which are triggered by the centre-back pushing into the midfield line to beat opposition pressure and create a break with rapid vertical passing sequences or a direct switch ball.
Conclusion
Although Walter is unemployed, he will be sought after in Germany’s top two divisions as his entertaining style will attract potential employers. He had Stuttgart in contention for promotion in mid-season despite uneven results as it was reported that some of the playing staff were unsure of his playing methods. Walter has managed to innovate and continue the coalescence of the centre-back and midfield positions as it should be remembered that he had the humble of University town that is home to Holstien Kiel playing some of the most entertaining football on the continent and dreaming of the Bundesliga. His playing style is even still the template for their youth side as the former Bayern II coach’s next project will be a must-watch.
