Athletic Bilbao (4231) Barcelona (4231) Final, Copa Del Rey
(25/5/2012)
Real Madrid(4231) Barcelona (41221/361)
This game is looked at through:The 4 man defence in both phases
of play Mauro Tassotti (AC Milan)Numerical Superiority in
possession of the ball Attillo Tesser (Novara)Characteristics of
the central midfielders in a midfield of 3 Massimilliano Allegri
(AC Milan)
Decisive Themes1. The Defensive Pyramid:
The 4 man defence in both phases of play (Tassotti)1See appendix
for training exercises2
Example of failed defensive pyramid: Marcelo (LB) is sucked out
wide
Alves pushes up to play as a winger, Marcelo is sucked out wide,
a player beats Xabi Alonso / Diarra with the ball. Sergio Ramos
comes out to meet the ball, and the space is created between the
Madrid left back and left centre back.
Ideal positioning of back 4 (Tassotti)
Positioning for a central attack. Every defence must have a
weakness; better if its out wide. The 4 man defence in both phases
of play (Tassotti)1Weak zones2See appendix for training
exercises
Correct Defensive Pyramid (Milan):
As Thiago Silva pushes out to slow the central attack (like
Ramos above), Milans fullbacks tuck in, covering the dangerous
space and leaving weaknesses out wide.
4-2-3-1The weakness is through the centre, especially with a
stretched defence. Width, and a numerical superiority through the
middle win the game for BarcaIMAGE
Decisive Theme #2 Numerical Superiority:
Tessers thesis gives 6 simple methods of creating numerical
superiority (training exercises for each listed as appendix)
DribblingWidth: stretching a back fourFluid tacticsRuns dragging
defendersSimple 1-2sCounter-AttacksNumerical Superiority in
possession of the ball Attillo Tesser1
1, 2 & 3: Dribbling, Width and Fluid TacticsBarcelonas third
goal shows how a simple run with the ball creates a 2v1 situation
against Madrids left back. Alves freedom up the right wing does the
rest:
4 & 5: Runs drag defenders, 1-2sMadrid runs drag defenders
wide and create space through the centre.
5. Fluid Systems
AlvesBusquetsBarcelona will always maintain 3 at the back, Alves
is free and Busquets / Abidal swap
Decisive Theme #3: Movement & Inter-Change in a midfield of
3
Characteristics of the central midfielders in a midfield of 3
(Massimilliano Allegri)1
Diarra Xabi Alonso
Ozil CassillasCoentrao Pepe Ramos Marcelo
Di Maria Ronaldo Benzema
Good organisation of the midfield 3: Xabi Alonso comes out of
position to slow down the Barca #3, Madrids #10 or #7 takes his
place. This often happens in a 4-3-3 when the right winger is
unable to get back quickly enough.
The two midfielders job is to protect the defence when in
non-possession in this situation, with the #11 cut out of the
action, they must slow down the play, whilst the #10 takes position
on the inside-left.
Max Allegri, AC Milan
Or the same on the right.
If the #10 does not do his defensive duty, the # 8 and 4 will be
dragged all over the place.
4-2-3-1: Press, or sit deep?
Mourinhos Inter side were organised defensively:
#10 Sneijder, subs in depending on which way the midfield
move.
444888
10Mourinhos Inter
Players will find it more natural to press in a 4231, this clip
needs no commentary as Madrid score the quickest goal in Classico
history.4-2-3-1: Mourinhos Madrid
With a goal on the half-way line, the field is again split in
half. It is 5v3 in each section with the attackers trying to use
numerical superiority to score, and the defenders trying to work
together to defender narrow.2 Goals and a small central area. 3 v 3
in the middle with two players out of play who support the team
with the ball. A team must make 10 passes before a through ball and
goal attempt is allowed.1a. Numerical Superiority1b.Training
exercises
1c. Dribbling & 2v1Both active players are trying to score
by beating their opponent either by dribbling or 1-2 using their
partner on the outside.Simple passing game using the extra men out
of play. 10 passes = a goal.1d.
2. Defensive Pyramid(Long Video)
2a.4 v 3From a central attack, the defence backs off to 23
yards. The #5 or #6 comes out to meet the ball, and the defence
tuck in to defend narrow.
The goal of all the following exercises is to practice the
positioning shown in the previous video.Four VS Six: A central
defender comes out to meet the ball, the rest of the 4 tuck in2.4 v
6
3.4 v 8Adding confidence- defending the dangerous zones, a 4 man
ZONAL defence can even defend against 8 attackers.
4.2 v 2The two defenders must learn to work together. #6 covers
#2 as well as keeping an eye on the free man. An important aspect
of zonal defending is knowing when to leave your area and follow a
man.
More training exercises can be found in the linked documents
from the FIGC.
Thanks for watching.
Paul [email protected]