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Two practical examples to illustrate the previous theory.
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, the following topics take the spotlight:
⚽ Pressing Part 3
👉 Practical Example: Securing the Pressing - Atl. Madrid
➡️ Additional to the Post "Pressing Part 2": Offside Trap: TOT vs CHE - Practical Example
⚽ Pressing Part 3
Continuing or Letting Go?
Up to this point, one might think there are clear distinctions between the players who press and those who secure the defense. However, in reality, that's not the case. A player who secures the defense in one situation can transition to pressing in the next. If the opponent plays the ball to a teammate positioned far forward, their defender changes from a security player to a pressing one. The defender will then disrupt the ball-carrying attacker. The rule is simple: If you can put pressure on the opponent, you should. But not always can a team maintain the pressure. A skillful move by the ball-carrying player or a brilliant pass, and even the best pressing strategy stands little chance. There are situations where an attacker receives the ball, and there's no defender nearby. In these instances, the remaining defense must prevent the opponent from making a deep pass.
An example: An opponent can dribble toward the goal in the midfield without pressure. Opposing attackers attempt to get behind the defense. In this case, no defender can advance without creating an opening for the opponent. Therefore, the defense should fall back. Ideally, this retreat is funnel-shaped: The closer the remaining defense gets to their own penalty area, the closer they should come together.
In this scenario, the rule dictates that the gaps should be smaller the closer the team gets to their own penalty area. Applying pressure to the ball-carrying opponent is only a secondary objective here. The opponent should be encouraged to make a pass to the wings. Only when the defense is well-organized and at a safe distance from their own goal should a player move forward to attack the opponent. The reason for this is that it's challenging to form a defensive triangle at full sprint. The gaps must be small enough to prevent the defender's advance from leading to a pass behind the defense. Most teams adopt a crescent-shaped formation, falling back just before their own penalty area, before a defender steps out. Ideally, the opponent has been prompted to pass to the wings by the retreating remaining defense. This is the best defensive strategy for a team.
👉 Practical Example: Securing the Pressing - Atl. Madrid
Atletico Madrid's coach, Diego Simeone, is one of the most passionate figures on the sidelines. He often gets visibly excited and wears his emotions on his sleeve. He shouts, jumps around, gesticulates, and expresses his frustrations. He truly lives and breathes every attack his team makes. Interestingly, this passion doesn't always translate to his players. Atletico Madrid is capable of playing aggressive attacking pressing, but sometimes they opt for a less aggressive midfield pressing. However, what sets Atletico apart is the precise execution of their sophisticated pressing system.
In the situation I'm describing, it rarely occurs in practice; Atletico usually defends better and prevents the situation from arising. However, to illustrate the concept of securing, I need to depict Atletico as performing less effectively than they actually do. Even Atletico's less effective defense remains impressive.
Here's the scenario: Atletico has forced a pass to the opponent's full-back. However, Atletico aims to avoid taking risks, so the team doesn't push too far towards the ball-near side. The player responsible for pressing receives no support. The opponent can play the ball across to the center. Atletico's midfield player promptly transitions into pressing by moving towards the halfway line. His teammate recognizes the situation and focuses on the opponent to provide cover. Atletico indirectly blocks the pass to the wing by having the left winger align with the opponent's wide player, rendering him unplayable.
In this situation, Atletico has actually set up effective pressing: they have a numerical advantage near the ball, the forwards support the midfielders and limit the opponent's options, the pressure is intense, and the pressing situation is well secured. However, let's imagine the opposing team has a brilliant idea. Their forward comes to the ball and receives a pass at his feet.
In this situation, Atletico's defenders would closely mark the forward to maintain the pressure. The problem with this approach is that it creates a significant gap in the center. Atletico wants to avoid this, as it would open a direct path to the goal. If the forward wins the one-on-one battle, he could charge directly toward the goal. The two defenders alongside him form a defensive triangle, and the full-back moves into the center. He no longer pays attention to the opponent but rather focuses on his teammates. The reason is straightforward: prioritizing the center's security over that of the wing. A pass to the opponent's winger is less dangerous than a pass into the central gap.
Atletico could choose to drop back before the opponent establishes a strong position in the penalty area. Since Atletico typically handles pressing situations better than in this example, they seldom find themselves in such scenarios. However, when it has happened in the past, they were well-secured. They might not immediately regain possession of the ball, but they reduced the threat to their own goal – all thanks to their solid defense.
➡️ Additional to the Post "Pressing Part 2: Offside Trap: TOT vs CHE - A Practical Example"
Last Wednesday, I wrote about the topic of the offside trap. Yesterday, we witnessed an incredibly extreme yet enlightening example in the match between Tottenham and Chelsea. What a game it was! Clearly not an ordinary Monday, thanks to this match. You can see here how high Tottenham's defensive line was positioned to execute the offside trap. However, very few teams set themselves up so high on the field because the associated risk is quite significant, even if Tottenham executed it extremely skillfully and effectively for an extended period.
Over the course of 90 minutes and eventually even with only 9 players on the field, they couldn't completely prevent Chelsea's players from bypassing the offside trap. Nevertheless, it was incredibly impressive to observe how Coach Ange Postecoglou had purposefully prepared the team for this.
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