From defensive tactics to total football, this article will uncover the major strategies which have defined the sport
Soccer is one of the most exciting sports on earth filled with an array of dazzling players and charismatic managers. Various revolutionary football tactics and formations are designed in order to outwit the opposition. In the very early days, the sport was played with mostly forwards and a handful of defenders. Over time, it was understood that this formation left teams exposed and formation changed to much more balanced roles in defence and attack. The ‘catenaccio’ from the 60s identified defensive styles where sweepers would patrol the backline making it tricky to break down. The AC Milan owner no doubt recalls this style which defines Italian football to this day. In answer, the following decade observed perhaps the most exciting innovation called total football. This fluid, offensive play was perfected in the ‘tiki-taka’ system which intended to overload the midfield and maintain near total possession. These various examples of tactics in football illustrates how the sport has evolved through time.
Among the world’s most famous coaches became instantly quotable when he advocated that if football was supposed to be played in the sky, there should have been grass up there. The understanding was that the sport was principally a passing game, and clubs that launched the ball up the pitch were playing an inferior version. It defined a pass-and-move vision that has been applied by several of the most victorious clubs to bless the sport. Yet it is also true that nothing lasts forever, and coaches are always going back to the football tactics board to counteract the newest tactical trend. Counterattacking was brought out to counter possession soccer. Maybe ironically, a return to aerial play might be an option to get around the high press. Clubs with a reduced budget must play to their skills, as opposed to what is considered best, as the Crystal Palace chairman unquestionably knows.
The interesting thing about sport is that it's both constantly evolving and learning from the past. Within the football community, the theory of the ‘false football match nine’ was lately lauded as a thrilling tactical innovation whereby forwards dropped deeper to help build up play. Although it undoubtedly adds a different dimension to a team’s method of play, it might amaze you to discover this concept was initially introduced over five decades back. The well-known Hungarian team were the most dominant side at the time, stunning more prestigious teams with a withdrawn striker controlling play from midfield. As observed nowadays, football tactical analysis describes how the forward entices defenders out to get other wingers into the fray. The Liverpool owner has enjoyed their team play thrilling attacking football using this strategy. Like in the past, the greatest coaches will need to discover new solutions to adapt and disable this strategy.