Jerome Jeannet vs Matteo Tagliariol - An analysis

[lguillemin]

Jeannet vs Tagliariol

These two fencers are very familiar with each other. Jerome is well aware of Matteo’s mobility and hand speed, while Matteo respects Jerome’s strength and point control. Jerome is the only fencer on the French team who uses a pistol grip as the rest opt for the extended reach of a French grip.

The bout started with Jerome and Matteo colliding guards and Jerome’s wrist getting hurt. It didn’t appear to degrade his performance. Jerome is very disciplined and very patient, he let Matteo initiate most of the actions for the beginning of the bout. Matteo took advantage of Jerome sitting back and landed a solid foot touché to tie the bout at 2 just before the first period ended. There was a lot of movement during the first period as both fencers gauged the other’s distance and rhythm. Typically both these fencers use the first period to gather information and to train their opponent into making wrong actions.

The second period began with fast paced footwork and it appeared that Tagliariol had confidence in every movement. Jerome caught Tagliariol on a change of direction and simply extended for a point. Matteo then increased his footwork so Jerome wouldn’t score another hit like that. It appeared that Matteo was trying to get Jerome to extend out of range so he could coupe Jerome’s arm. He did this for his fourth point but Jerome smartened up almost immediately. Matteo attempted some long attacks trying to get in deep behind Jerome’s guard but he was unable to score a touch. Jerome maintained a very good distance and he didn’t bite on any of Matteo’s feints. As soon as Matteo stopped attacking and went back to trying to control the footwork, Jerome was able to step in on Matteo’s change of direction twice to get him the lead at 7 – 4. Matteo varied his footwork again, this time to be less dynamic with the change of direction, but to still be alert and ready to move. He scored his 5th touché on Jerome by opening the distance and doing a big advance lunge into Jerome, who stepped forward trying to follow Matteo. From Jerome’s body language I received the impression that he realized he fell for Matteo’s deceptive distance and he wasn’t fazed by the action. It appeared Jerome had a plan to prevent Matteo from doing this action again. The very next action Matteo attempts to use his long distance to launch an explosive lunge attack with a coupe, Jerome kept the distance perfect so Matteo fell short. As soon as Matteo recovered from the attack Jerome unleashed a surprising fleche on the flat footed Tagliariol. Jerome’s game plan at this point was to look for opportunities to counter on Tagliariol’s preparation.

One of the main problem’s with counter-attacking on Tagliariol’s preparation is that Tagliariol utilizes his preparatory actions to not only set up an attack, but to score a touch in the event of his opponent countering. If you watch closely you will notice Matteo favours an advance with a carte (4 parry) feint, he uses this to set up high line attacks and coupes to the forearm. He also uses this action to coupe where his opponent’s arm would be in the instance they counter attack. Every one of Matteo’s opponents has been caught on this action.

Matteo is able to read that Jerome is looking for a counter and he sets up a coupe that landed as Jerome begins his counter-attack. At the end of the second period Jerome is leading 8-6 but it appeared that Matteo was dominating the movement. Up to this point Matteo had been able to dictate when he will coupe and when they will land. He scored the majority of his points with a coupe.

Both Jerome and Matteo were eager to take control of the movement and the bout became very intense. Matteo attempted a coupe to Jerome’s arm but landed short, this was preparation for his next scoring action. Although Jerome had learnt not to step into Matteo when Matteo opened the distance, he did it anyways. The result was Matteo scoring yet another touch with an advance lunge. After the touch Jerome removed his mask and it was obvious to see that he knew he had fallen for Matteo’s attack again. Matteo’s confidence was soaring upwards as Jerome tried to regain composure. Jerome changed to apply pressure on Tagliariol for the first time this bout, but he soon found out that he had to have very calculated actions in order to avoid Matteo’s fast hand and coupe. Matteo landed a beautiful coupe to Jerome’s arm as Jerome was preparing for a second intention attack. Frustrated Jerome removed his mask and I can only assume what he said to himself was not, “Keep it up! Good work!”. The frustrated Jerome attempted to catch Matteo immediately off the line, but Matteo was very prepared. Matteo scored the touch to give him the lead. Jerome’s confidence plummeted as Matteo’s confidence sky rocketed. Matteo continued to dominate the footwork, scoring on an advance lunge and a direct coupe. Jerome changed back to countering because nothing he was doing was working. He was able to catch Matteo as Matteo advanced, but he wasn’t fast enough to score a single touch. 12 – 9 Tagliariol. Matteo felt he had the bout within his grasp and on his next action he went for flare value with a coupe to Jerome’s back as opposed to attempting a practical touché. Jerome was prepared and scored on a parry-riposte; he wasn’t ready to lose the bout just yet. Matteo’s confidence was not affected by the loss of that touché. His next attack he once again launched his advance lunge, it fell short but he did a remise of the action to score. Jerome’s confidence hit rock bottom as he knew he just fell for Matteo’s attack again. Sensing Jerome’s frustration, Matteo pulled Jerome forward and advanced with a sixte parry with a coupe to Jerome’s back, earning his 14th touch and 100 flare points (Note that flare points have no current worth in the FIE). Eager to finish the bout Matteo attacked off the line, Jerome expected it as it was a tactic that Matteo uses in all his bouts when he is up more than one point and only needs one to secure victory. Matteo countered Jerome’s attack to win the bout and move onto the finals.

Matteo dominated the bout and used his strengths to pick apart Jerome. Matteo’s coupes and advance lunge proved to be too much for Jerome to handle.

[noahz]

I think a key point here is that J. Jeannet fell bait to Tagliariol's coupe prepration. They were playing an arguably classic epee game of "flick vs. stop hit" - but if the flick is second intention, the stop hit is the wrong action.

Probably a lesson here is to not immediately attempt to answer a coupe with a counter attack, but instead attempt early parries, pulling disatance and other "interrupting" actions. Or even taking the hand away as a target (fencing in invitation).

Of course, this bout demonstrates that the less-obvious strategy is difficult to formulate under pressure (or perhaps even pull off) even at the highest levels.

[lguillemin]

I agree with you on all levels. The bout is very intense and I think Jerome was feeling the pressure. Even though he took the time to realize that Matteo was pulling his counter attacks, he wasn't able to keep the adjustment he was trying to make. He continued to attack out of context.

Not only did he attack out of context, he attacked directly into Matteo's strength, sixte. Even against a worse fencer this is tactical suicide.