Formations and roles · Analysis
The Free Man Behind the Defence, and Where He Went
A libero or sweeper is a free defender behind the back line with no opponent to mark. From catenaccio to Beckenbauer and Sammer, and why the role disappeared.
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Roles
Formations and roles · Analysis
One Player, the Whole Flank: The Most Demanding Job in a Back Three
A wing-back is the wide player in a back-three system: a winger in attack, a full-back in defence. What the role demands and how it differs from a full-back.
Formations and roles · Analysis
The Playmaker Who Runs the Game From in Front of His Own Defence
A regista is a deep-lying playmaker who directs his team's passing from in front of the defence. How Pirlo defined the role and how opponents try to stop it.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Half Midfielder, Half Winger: The Italian Word for a Modern Number Eight
A mezzala is a central midfielder in a three who drifts wide and forward into the half-space. Where the Italian term comes from, what he does, who plays it.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Two Players, One Job: Guarding the Space in Front of the Defence
A double pivot is a pair of holding midfielders in front of the defence, most often in a 4-2-3-1. How the two split the work, and how a single pivot differs.
Formations and roles · Analysis
The Defender Who Walks Into Midfield When His Team Has the Ball
An inverted full-back moves into central midfield in possession instead of overlapping. Why Guardiola's teams use the role, what it protects and what it costs.
Formations and roles · Analysis
The Striker Who Leaves the Centre-Backs With Nobody to Mark
A false nine is a centre-forward who drops into midfield instead of staying on the last line. How it works, from Hidegkuti in 1953 to Messi, and what it needs.