From defensive approaches to total football, this guide will investigate the key tactics which have defined the sport
The curious thing about sport is that it's both constantly evolving and learning from the past. Within the soccer world, the theory of the ‘false nine’ was recently lauded as an amazing tactical innovation whereby attackers dropped deeper to help build play. Although it definitely adds a new dimension to a team’s method of play, it might surprise you to know this concept was first introduced over five decades ago. The famed Hungarian team were the most dominant side at the time, surprising more prestigious clubs with a withdrawn forward controlling play from midfield. As seen today, football tactical analysis describes how the striker entices defenders out to get other wingers into the action. The Liverpool owner has enjoyed their team play mesmerizing attacking football using this strategy. As in the past, the best coaches will need to discover brand new solutions to adjust and disable this approach.
Football is one of the most exciting sports in the world filled with an array of dazzling players and charismatic coaches. Different revolutionary football tactics and formations are developed in order to outwit the opposition. In the early days, the sport was played with chiefly forwards and a couple of defenders. Over time, it was discovered that this formation left teams exposed and formation changed to more balanced roles in defence and attack. The ‘catenaccio’ from the 60s described defensive styles where sweepers would patrol the backline making it tough to break down. The AC Milan owner no doubt recalls this style which characterizes Italian football to this day. football tactics In answer, the following decade experienced perhaps the most exciting innovation referred to as total football. This fluid, attacking play was enhanced in the ‘tiki-taka’ system which aimed to overload the midfield and maintain near total possession. These different examples of tactics in football demonstrates how the sport has evolved throughout time.
One of the world’s most famous managers became instantly quotable when he proposed that if soccer was supposed to be played in the sky, there should have been grass up there. The idea was that the game was mostly a passing game, and teams that launched the ball up the field were playing a substandard version. It defined a pass-and-move vision that has been implemented by a few of the most victorious teams to grace the sport. Yet it is also true that nothing endures forever, and coaches are constantly going back to the football tactics board to anticipate the latest tactical trend. Counterattacking was brought out to combat possession soccer. Maybe ironically, a return to aerial play might be a solution to navigate the high press. Clubs with a reduced budget must play to their strengths, instead of what is considered nicest, as the Crystal Palace chairman unquestionably understands.