Tactical phases · 2026/2027
PHASES OF PLAY
In possession · Transitions

Crystal Palace

Premier League · Manager Pierre Sage · Last XI 3-4-2-1 v Leeds United
Build-up3-2
Progression3-2-5
Final third3-2-5
Rest defence3+2

In possession

attack →
IP · 01
Build-up
3-2
ATTACK →44Benítez6Canvot17Tomiyasu26Richards20Wharton23Timber3Mitchell10Pino22Larsen18Kamada25Khalaili

A 3-man first line (Canvot, Tomiyasu and Richards) with Wharton and Timber ahead.

IP · 02
Progression
3-2-5
ATTACK →44Benítez6Canvot17Tomiyasu26Richards20Wharton23Timber3Mitchell10Pino22Larsen18Kamada25Khalaili

5 on the last line, 5 behind the ball to circulate. Mitchell bombs on to hold the width; Khalaili bombs on to hold the width.

IP · 03
Final third
3-2-5 · 3 in box
ATTACK →44Benítez6Canvot17Tomiyasu26Richards20Wharton23Timber3Mitchell10Pino22Larsen18Kamada25Khalaili12121

3 in the box, 5/5 lanes occupied — every lane filled.

IP · 04
Rest defence
3+2
ATTACK →310221825446Canvot17Tomiyasu26Richards20Wharton23Timber

5 behind the ball: Canvot, Tomiyasu and Richards hold the last line, Wharton and Timber screen in front — 5 commit to the attack.

Transitions

the first seconds after the ball changes hands
TR · 01
Defensive transition
COUNTER-PRESS
ATTACK →5s6172620Wharton23310Pino22Larsen1825LOST

Counter-press on the loss: the nearest 3 jump the ball inside a 5-second window while the rest squeeze up around it.

TR · 02
Attacking transition
FAST
ATTACK →361726Richards2520Wharton23Timber10Pino22Larsen18KamadaWON

Break at speed: Pino, Larsen and Kamada run beyond, Timber and Richards support the ball-winner.

Key players in the phaseRest of the XI / starting spotPress / runShape shift / recoveryBall
Tactical phases · Crystal Palace1 / 2
Tactical phases · 2026/2027
PHASES OF PLAY
Out of possession · Set pieces

Crystal Palace

High press3-4-3
Mid block5-2-3
Low block5-4-1
Rest offence1

Out of possession

still attacking → · their goal on the left
OOP · 01
High press
3-4-3
ATTACK →44Benítez6Canvot17Tomiyasu26Richards3Mitchell20Wharton23Timber25Khalaili10Pino22Larsen18Kamada

Back line ~52m from goal, 38m from last to first line.

OOP · 02
Mid block
5-2-3
ATTACK →44Benítez3Mitchell6Canvot17Tomiyasu26Richards25Khalaili20Wharton23Timber10Pino22Larsen18Kamada

Back line ~27m from goal, 34m from last to first line.

OOP · 03
Low block
5-4-1
ATTACK →44Benítez3Mitchell6Canvot17Tomiyasu26Richards25Khalaili10Pino20Wharton23Timber18Kamada22Larsen

Back line ~9m from goal, 28m from last to first line.

OOP · 04
Rest offence
1 up
ATTACK →36172625102023184422Larsen

Larsen stays high as the counter outlet.

Set pieces

goal at the top
SP · 01
Corners for
INSWING

In-swinging delivery aimed at the near post; 5 attack the box.

SP · 02
Corners against
HYBRID

Hybrid — 4 zonal blockers, 4 on the main threats.

SP · 03
Free kicks for
CROSS

Deep free kicks swung in towards a line of runners.

SP · 04
Free kicks against
ZONAL

3-man wall, zonal marking, high line on the box edge.

Key players in the phaseRest of the XI / starting spotPress / runShape shift / recoveryBall
Tactical phases · Crystal Palace2 / 2