![\"Kim](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_Birmingham-City-v-Middlesbrough-Sky-Bet-Championship-Football-St-Andrews-at-Knighthead-Park-Bi.jpg\")
<\/p>\nKim Hellberg’s verdict after Middlesbrough’s 3-1 victory over Birmingham City<\/p>\n
Kim Hellberg, head coach of Middlesbrough(Image: Ryan Browne\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Kim Hellberg was delighted his tactical surprise paid off, as Middlesbrough<\/a> recorded a big 3-1 victory away at Birmingham City.<\/p>\n Hellberg made two changes for the game<\/a> and also switched to a back three for the trip to St Andrew\u2019s. The changes certainly paid off.<\/p>\n Switched to wing-back for the game, Matt Targett scored twice in the first half for Boro<\/a>. And then, after Marvin Ducksch had halved the deficit early in the second half, David Strelec scored a vital Boro third on his return to the starting lineup.<\/p>\n Set up largely to deal with Birmingham\u2019s two big strikers, Hellberg explained: \u201cOffensively, the players were really in similar positions to where they have been playing. The big difference was the defensive shape, in terms of how we defended.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, it also means that offensively, Matt and Britts can be a bit more aggressive in terms of their positions with three centre-backs covering. Sometimes, you get those things right, sometimes wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, to think that Matt was going to score two goals from that position, that was not really in the plans. But sometimes what actually happens is better than plans, and he did brilliantly.<\/p>\n \u201cHe deserved it. It was exactly how we wanted to press them, and I think that just shows how connected the squad are with different gameplans and different ways of playing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t always have to be with the ball \u2013 we can also be very good off the ball and the high-pressing was good to see.\u201d<\/p>\n FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! Keep up with all the Middlesbrough FC latest via the Gazette’s dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n Boro became just the second away team to win a league game at St Andrew\u2019s in Chris Davies\u2019 two seasons in charge of the Blues. It felt like a huge win for Boro, having been winless in three heading in, and having watched their promotion rivals all win over the weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cBirmingham had only had one loss in two years at this stadium, and had a Premier League<\/a> team here three weeks ago [Leeds in the FA Cup<\/a>] and drew,\u201d Hellberg added.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are a very good team. So the way we handled this type of game, except maybe the first ten minutes in each half, feels brilliant. It was fun to see our pressing being as good as it was.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that was the key to the win today. We have been playing very well with the ball, but today I think the high pressing was the key thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Ensure our latest Middlesbrough FC headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Middlesbrough FC<\/a> coverage and analysis.<\/p>\n Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here <\/a>to subscribe.<\/p>\n Your information will be hidden, you’ll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice <\/a>.<\/p>\n