Burnley vs Bournemouth

A team challenging for the European places versus one which is almost destined for relegation.

Burnley will play a 3-4-2-1 formation which is seeking to break down a Bournemouth team which is unbeaten in their last nine games.

Burnley started the game in the first few minutes the brighter of the two teams with Jaydon Anthony hitting the side netting. Shortly after, Evanilson was found by Kroupi. He rounded the goalkeeper but his shot was blocked by Bashir Humphreys. Both teams have had lots of goals in their games this season, with only Manchester United having more goals in their games. Bournemouth had more pressure on Burnley in the first six or seven minutes. As most teams do, Bournemouth have a 4-4-2 press without the ball with Kroupi and Evanilson as the strikers when they engage in the high press. It also seems like Burnley are playing with a back four with Laurent entering into the midfield. Flemming had a chance to make the score 1-0, but the shot was well-parried by Djorde Petrovic. Bournemouth play with a back-four when in possession, with Rayan and Marcus Tavenier playing as inverted wingers, which means that Rayan is on the left, while Tavenier is on the right. Anthony had something to prove against his former team as he forced a good save by Petrovic. Another tactic by Burnley was to get James Ward-Prowse on the set pieces,because, as we all know, he can whip one in dangerously.

Around the twenty-fifth minute, and Burnley started creating chances due to Flemming and Quilindschy Hartmann. Lyle Foster had a good chance but was well-marshalled by Senesi. Burnley are relying on set pieces to put pressure on Bournemouth. Whether it be free-kicks, corners, or long throws, set pieces appear to be a way to get players forward for the home team at Turf Moor. Flemming in the fortieth minute was lucky not to be carded for his elbow on Truffert. From another set-piece, Anthony struck the ball against the post and it was a lucky escape for Bournemouth who have conceded the most goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season. In the first half, it seems pretty even between the two teams, with a 0-0 a fair first-half result. However, Burnley will be the happier of the two teams given their position on the table.

Bournemouth have started as the brighter of the two teams at the start of the second half with some dangerous crosses into the box by Rayan and Scott. Burnley, however had a chance with Anthony seeing his shot blocked. by the skipper Adam Smith. A minute later, Tavenier sees his shot go wide of the goal. It’s been a good game from a tactical perspective, with both teams grappling for control of the game and having some shots on goal. A goal seems imminent and may ignite fire into this game.

Even in the fifty-eighth minute both teams had 12 shots and 2 on target exactly, showcasing that the game could go either way, and would likely end in a draw if neither team takes their chances. The introduction of Amine Adli and Alex Jimenez was definitely an attacking substitution by Iraola to see if they can nick the odd goal. Bournemouth started going to Rayan on the left wing more often who looked to get crosses into the box if possible.

The game continued with both teams having good spells of possession, but no goal. With little time left, Bournemouth started being more direct in their build-up play. If you were to ask me, my player of the match would be Anthony as he came close to getting a goal. It’s has only been in terms of goals scored that this game has failed to live up to his expectations. Ugochukwu, Broja and Enes Unal were brought on likely as cameo appearances as they didn’t really have much time to imprint themselves into the match in my opinion. They had eight minutes to change my mind, but I don’t believe that those minutes would be sufficient to change the game. A 0-0 draw is a very fair result, as the game resembled a basketball game, where there is a 5-minute instead of 24-second shot clock where both teams recycled possession. Enes Unal, though, had a chance in the ninety-third minute, and to be honest, he should have tucked that chance away. And in the ninety-sixth minute David Brooks had a headed effort go wide of the post. A goalless draw seems the best for this game as it reflected the balance of the game.

For the future, if Bournemouth go on a winning streak, they could play in Europe, while for Burnley, sadly, need a run of wins and hope other teams above them flop seriously if they are to have any chance of staying in this division.