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.
Formations and 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.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Why So Many Teams Now Defend With Three and Attack With Three
A back three uses three centre-backs instead of two. How 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1 systems work, why back fours turn into back threes in possession, and what it costs.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Three at the Back, Two Up Front, and Everything Depends on the Flanks
The 3-5-2 plays three centre-backs, two wing-backs, three central midfielders and two strikers. How it attacks and defends, and why the wing-backs decide it.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Two Banks of Four: The Formation Everyone Learns First
The 4-4-2 sets up four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers in three flat lines. Why it defends so well, where it is outnumbered, and who uses it.
Formations and roles · Analysis
The Shape That Put a Bodyguard Behind Every Number Ten
The 4-2-3-1 uses four defenders, two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and one striker. How the double pivot and the number ten make it work.
Formations and roles · Analysis
Three in Midfield, Three Up Front, and Why It Took Over
The 4-3-3 lines up four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. How the single pivot, the two number eights and the wingers work, and where it breaks.