Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic provides his assessment following his team’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
Sergej Jakirovic detailed the tactical alterations he implemented to help Hull City frustrate Middlesbrough and win 1-0 at the Riverside.
Just over three weeks after Kim Hellberg’s side defeated Hull 4-1 after a superb first half, the Tigers returned to Teesside seeking vengeance.
And their manager modified things for the game after learning from the mistakes made earlier in the month. Hull switched tactics and gameplan, opting to play with a back five, denying Boro room in the center of the pitch.
In another frustrating attacking performance, Hellberg’s team played perfectly into Hull’s hands by seldom using enough width and instead playing into a packed area before being pushed out repeatedly. Darko Gyabi’s 12-minute goal was enough to give Hull the victory.
Jakirovic said afterwards: “It’s a really important three points for us, especially against Boro, who I believe are in the top three in this league. They demonstrated three weeks ago that they killed us at home.
“It was an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate that we had a poor day at the workplace that day. We modified the system here.
“We attempted to close down the middle, especially because they’re playing with two wingers inside, two forwards, (Hayden) Hackney and (Morgan) Whittaker, who are really dangerous, so we tried to stop them.
“I believe we were really good in that, defensively, tactically, and with a lot of discipline, and we also used our opportunity in the first half through Darko (Gyabi).
“In the second half, I thought we’d have a lot more space for counterattacks, but they stopped us. Ivor (Pandur) made two amazing stops, and we ended up with three very vital points.
“We demonstrated the reaction, particularly following Sheffield Wednesday, with energy and intensity. Perhaps in other cases, we did not have such a calm pass, particularly when they were in their own half of the pitch. We could go long towards their goalkeeper, but it’s a significant advantage for us.
“So too is the clean sheet, you know how we are desperate for clean sheets, and today in this place it’s very, very important.”
Boro’s defeat clogged the top of the league, reducing Boro’s lead to just two points after Ipswich Town defeated Coventry City. Boro’s lead over seventh place was also trimmed to six points, as Hellberg’s side went winless in three games.
xz
