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Recovering from two quick fire goals

After watching the Arsenal game at the weekend, it seemed very much apparent that the two quick goals for Arsenal effectively killed the game off, with Arsenal not really requiring to come out of second gear. I was wondering if anyone had any tips about how you can motivate a team's head not to drop, and attempt to fight back into a game from 2--0 after ~20 minutes?

John BryanCoach, Australia

1 answer

ANSWERS

Ryan Coach, Wales

Interestingly the question you have asked is motivation and mindset. Now this is something that cannot be instilled within one session or through one singular comment. Our teams we have coached them for the past 4 years about scenarios and how you need to mentally control it. For me 2-0 is the most dangerous score in football! 1 goal and the momentum of the game completely swings. We re-create these situations in training to manage the momentum of the game and then turn it as a positive, as teams tend to become edgy and nervous at 2-0 up. We continually re-iterate the mental side of a 2-0 score line to motivate the players, both when 2-0 infront and behind. It can be hard to keep motivation to continue to perform at 2-0 up, and often games go into dips of tempo, this is where the momentum can change and by being pro active and mentally positive you can grasp the momentum.

Just my two pennies worth...