Stian Gregersen speaks on defensive adjustments, rivalry with Charlotte looming

Three points. That’s what matters at the end of the day to Atlanta United. Anyone on the team would say just that, but that doesn’t stop them from looking at games like the 3-2 opening win over CF Montréal critically.

That’s what training and film study is for. To analyze past performances, reinforce good habits on the pitch and find out what can be done to make those habits show on matchdays.

The 5-Stripes were back at it Tuesday, and Stian Gregersen spoke to media about what his squad is drilling in on after opening weekend:

LOUD NOISES❗️

The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground was about as loud as it has been during a training session so far this year. The first drill head coach Ronny Deila had his squad run involved passing and yelling out commands to the receiver, telling them to either turn or pass the ball back. It forced the players to be listeners as much as talkers.

Communication is what Gregersen reflected on when thinking back to the two goals his defense conceded Saturday. Well, that and the crowd of over 65,000 ATLiens making their voices heard.

“It’s difficult when it’s 60,000,” Gregersen said. “You have to scream high, loud. [Someone could] stand three meters next to you and he didn’t [hear]. We have to still have this communication.”

It’s a good problem to have, no doubt. 17s showed out, and it’s going to be just as big of a focus in the Queen City at Charlotte FC’s home opener. Atlanta will have to have their outside voices ready, especially in defense.

During the buildup to the first Montréal goal Saturday, Atlanta actually had numbers in defense. The issue arose when two defenders marked one attacker, leaving Nathan Saliba open at the back stick. That kind of mistake, not a systemic imbalance but more of a one-off solved with a few more words exchanged, is exactly what Atlanta United is ironing out this week.

“More discipline and talk and better organization,” Gregersen said. “We [were] a little bit open in the middle, [so] we have to stay more compact … If we can work with that, it will be much, much better.”

Pressure makes diamonds … eventually

Deila urged his players forward when off the ball, looking to win it back with significant pressure. As the squad gets up to its maximum fitness level, sustaining that pressure over a full 90 minutes, and more, is easier said than done.

“First half was top. But we always want to go and put pressure on them. That maybe punished us a little bit in the second half because we [did] that every time, and then everyone was a little bit tired,” Gregersen said.

That pressure did make things stressful down the stretch when it let up. Montréal saw most of the ball late and ended up winning the xG battle with 2.20 to Atlanta’s 1.35. These are things that the nerds (myself) harp on, but Deila and his team know that tightening up and preventing fewer chances will even out xG going forward.

Pressure manifests itself in training as well. In Atlanta United’s case, it comes in the form of competition. The offseason acquisitions are doing wonders, and it’s not just the starters but also the guys who push them to be better in training.

“The biggest difference from last year is that we have a much more competitive team now in the whole squad,” Gregersen said. “You see Edwin \[Mosquera\] is coming in, he scored an amazing goal. We have more people also who can come in and change the game, and that will be important in the long term.”

Mosquera’s golazo epitomized that competitive spark in one quick moment, but Matt Edwards made a moment of his entire match. It was the homegrown’s first start with the first team, and he looked as comfortable as he could be.

“I think he was very good. He did his job. He was fearless,” Gregersen said. “He’s a young guy [who] wants to learn and wants to listen. You can see he wants to drive with the ball. If he continues like that, he will play in a big league in the future.”

Derby days are here

It’s not all reflection for Atlanta United, though. They’re now turning the page to next week, and it’s a big one. The 5-Stripes play their first road match of the season against rivals Charlotte FC at 2:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 1.

The threads are there for a great match. How does the defense handle the imposing physical force of forward Patrick Agyemang? Gregersen has an idea, and he might’ve been ready for lunch when he came up with it.

“We have to be tight with him, one in behind and one in front,” he said. “With a guy like that, we have to be like a sandwich to have better control.”

Wilfried Zaha, another designated player like Almirón with Premier League experience, may suit up for Charlotte. The defensive adjustments and improved stamina will need to be a go for Saturday.

“We have to focus on what we’re going to perform,” he said. “Of course it’s a derby … of course it’s a little bit extra for us also to play against them. That kind of game, I love it.”

Atlanta United is in the process of reestablishing a standard of success, one that the 2018 team upheld. Improvements on the Montréal effort will not just be welcomed but will be necessary. Still, Gregersen returns to the adage: three points is three points.

“[It was the] first game, and most important is winning the game,” he said. “I think it was a very entertaining game for the public, but we want to control more of the game.”