Strategies for breaking down the packed defence
Columnist By Tony Tannous, 22 Jun 2010 Tony Tannous is a Roar Expert
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Australia's Brett Holman, center, celebrates with fellow team members Harry Kewell, left, and Mark Bresciano, right, after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Ghana and Australia at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday, June 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Midway through the World Cup, 32 of the 64 matches done after this morning’s batch rounded off Matchday 2, the one thing that is blatantly apparent is how difficult it has been for some of the top sides to break down the so called lesser lights, who are packing their defences and holding on for dear life.
Where there has been a gap technically, teams like New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland and Nigeria have built a bridge and defended for their lives.
Teams like Spain, the Netherlands, Argentina, Italy and Brazil have been searching for answers, seeking ways to unlock these packed defences.
Some have shown tactical flexibility and been able to find ways to knock down the door, while others have suffered from their complete lack of variation.
Like the Barcelona side that couldn’t find a way past Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in the Champions League semis this season, they haven’t hitherto shown enough variety.
Spain’s first up effort against Switzerland was instructional in this sense.
Spain knocked the ball around, patiently, from side to side, kept the ball, but simply couldn’t find any Swiss holes. Then Vicente del Bosque brought on the right-sided midfielder Jesus Navas, who started whipping in cross after cross (19 in total), but there was no solution.
It was rather ironic that one of Spain’s best chances came in the five minutes before half time.
From a Swiss goal kick, Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men won a throw-in around the half-way line. When it came back in, Spain won the ball. A quick break out of midfield from Andres Iniesta on the half-way line, a quick ball forward and suddenly David Villa was in the box, with only one man shadowing him.
He didn’t finish with his usual efficiency, shooting wide, but it was an instructional couple of minutes.
The conclusion? Let the opposition have the ball every once in a while.
Let them come up the pitch and send a few players forward, then win the ball in your own half and counter attack rapidly. There might actually be some space to play in.
Instead, offensive teams like Spain, based on the Barcelona model, are so obsessed with winning the ball high up the pitch, and keeping the pressure on. But when they do win it, the defensive wall hasn’t moved, so there is no space.
Occasionally, let the opposition have it I say. Give it to them, win it deeper and then use the space to break forward.
Apart from this and some lopsided selections from Del Bosque (starting both Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets in midfield being an example), Spain’s other problem against Switzerland was the poor work from their two fullbacks, Sergio Ramos on the right and Joan Capdevila on the left, who didn’t offer anywhere near the forward integration required.
For the most part, they just sat off the play, and watched.
Compare it to the work of Maicon and Michel Bastos for Brazil against North Korea. Faced by the same brick wall, Maicon, in particular, was able to join the attack late, from the last line.
This late integration led to his opener.
Other teams that have used this tactic well are Chile, who have Mauricio Isla and Arturo Vidal adding much to their attack, and Mexico, who send Carlos Salcido up and down the left flank all day. Portugal’s young left back Fabio Coentrao has also caught the eye.
For me, the average offensive quality of the fullbacks is an issue that could come back to haunt both Spain and Holland, and maybe even Argentina.
The former two have been rather one-paced, and predictable, in the way they have circulated the ball. The Netherlands covet a fit Arjen Robben to give them a slightly different tempo.
They relied on a long range effort from Wesley Sneijder to break down a stubborn Japan. A shot from distance is a traditional method of breaking down a packed defence, but the Jabulani hasn’t helped in this regard.
Argentina, on the other hand, have average overlapping fullbacks in Gabriel Heinze and Jonas Guiterrez, but they make up for this by varying their mode of attack, mixing patient build-up with rapid transition and the dribbling strength of Lionel Messi.
This tactical flexibility should hold up well.
The same goes for Brazil, who perhaps at this stage look best equipped to deal with all the scenarios.
Their work without the ball has been superb, transitioning back and getting seven or eight men behind the ball, winning it comfortably, before bursting forward, with numbers and pace.
When the opposition sit back, they have proved they can unlock them, an example being the lovely interchange between Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano for the opener against Ivory Coast yesterday morning.
When they can’t go through the middle, they have the overlapping fullbacks to get the job done.
Others with this sort of tactical variation include Italy, who tried a few things but couldn’t break down the gallant Kiwis, and Germany, who, even with 10 men against Serbia, showed you can still control a game and create chances by utilising various methods.
Over the coming weeks, any of the big gun wishing to lift the trophy will need to show a variety of solutions, especially against second tier teams like Uruguay and Paraguay, who can not only pack a defence, but have the quality to vary their tactics.
Join Tony at noon today for a LIVE World Cup Q & A, discussing the tactics, Socceroos, All Whites or any other topics. Leave a comment or question now or at 12 noon, when Tony joins.
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June 22nd 2010 @ 8:55am
AndyRoo said | June 22nd 2010 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Tony, did you send this article to a Portugese friend for proof reading…he may have passed it on
Ona serious note it hasn’t been an issue so far but Argentina’s full backs don’t seem to offer a lot offensively and that could be a factor when it gets to the pointy end.
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:09pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
“Tony, did you send this article to a Portugese friend for proof reading…he may have passed it on”
Haha Andy, yes, it was good to see the Portuguese utilising space, and there was much of it to be honest.
I was really suprised at how open the game was in the early stages. I was expecting N Korea to sit back and make life difficult, as they did against Brazil. But they played well early and might have got some reward for their effort with a bit of luck and some more composure from Jong Tae Se and Hong Yong Jo
Obviously going behind meant they had to open up even more, and they played right into Portugal’s hand.
For those newer to the WC, this is perhaps a reason why you do see some of the lesser teams packing the defence. Otherwise, they get carved up.
“Ona serious note it hasn’t been an issue so far but Argentina’s full backs don’t seem to offer a lot offensively and that could be a factor when it gets to the pointy end.”
Spot on, as I said in my piece, the average offensive work of Heinze and Guiterrez is a disadvanatge for the Argies, as it is I believe for Holland and Spain. But they have time to improve. Guiterrez is suspended tonight, so interesting to see what Maradona does, and how they go. Burdisso will likely play centrally for the injured Samuel, so maybe a run for Otamendi, Garce or Rodriguez.
June 22nd 2010 @ 9:03am
James said | June 22nd 2010 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Great read Tony,
I think Spain had about 75% possession against Switz, it was so frustrating. But much better this morning, what did you think?
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:16pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:16pm | Report comment
Glad you enjoyed James. Yes, much better today, but really hard to read a great deal given it was against Honduras, who are rather average. Spain’s real test will be against Chile.
It’s a game I’ve been looking forward to since the draw was made, and with Spain needing to get on the front foot to get the three points, and Chile not quite safe, it will be intriguing seeing if Chile are happy to retreat. If not, it could make for some breathtaking action.
At least for Spain it was good to see Villa scoring, the two fullbacks integrating much better, and Fabregas getting on the pitch. Worries about the form/touch of Torres, and the defending doesn’t look that convincing.
June 22nd 2010 @ 9:08am
Australian Football said | June 22nd 2010 @ 9:08am | Report comment
Tony,
I’ll take the close control of 10 playmakers with 100% possession every time and not handing over the ball at all. I think if you can’t break down a team with better possession, closer ball control, and the right attitude on the day, then there must be some unsettling factor going on in your camp that has unsettled your team. Usually it’s the petty jealousies, poor leadership, with a weak captain and manager that is the problem. Fix that and no defensive minded team can hold you out for too long.
_____
AF
June 22nd 2010 @ 10:13am
JR said | June 22nd 2010 @ 10:13am | Report comment
AF, I do believe you are wrong, as has been demonstrated many times over.
What annoys me is that we were not able to do this against Germany – or at least stifle them to 1-0. There has been a lot of focus on our defense, but we had 5 midfielders who were apparently unable to press the Germans at all!!!
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:11pm
Australian Football said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Sorry I think Portugal showed us how to go about it this morning, with 10 playmaking/ballplayers. I meant 10 ballplayers perhaps as opposed to 10 playmakers and that includes 2 strikers in that 10 ballplaying group.. I stand by that as an example of Viduka being one of our best playmaker/ballplayer that we have seen wearing the Australian jersey.
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:30pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
“What annoys me is that we were not able to do this against Germany – or at least stifle them to 1-0″
Absolutely, an organised defensive display should have been the mode
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:27pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
Fundamentally I’m with you AF, keep the pill, win it back early, create chances etc etc.
But when it’s not working, reckon you have to offer something different, and try and create your own space. One such way it to drop off a touch, let ‘em have it, invite them forward, give them a share of the game.
Reckon we saw that a bit in both of last night’s wins by Portugal and Spain, but wouldn’t read too much into it. The test will be when they meet a quality team that tactically packs the defence because they believe it’s the best way of halting such a team (a la Inter v Barca)
The Mexcio/Uruguay game tonight could be another classic attack v defence battle, with the tactically adaptable La Celeste likely to be reactive, while Mexico, needing a win to top the group and avoid Argies, get on the front foot. Can’t wait.
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:45pm
JR said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
Uruguay – very impressive so far, and I think Forlan is wonderful. He must be in the very top ranks of current strikers, but you don’t often hear his name mentioned in this way.
Thank God we didn’t have to play off against them, this time!
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:59pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Super impressed JR, and very surprised to be honest…
What was so impressive was they way Tabarez seamlessly changed his tactics from defensive in the frist game to offensive in the 2nd, where he went with two strikers and Forlan in behind, and the players pulled it off so effortlessly…No doubt helped by Parreira’s conservative strategies.
As for Forlan, he looked dangerous on his own in the first game (remembering Suarez did nothing) and so influential in the hole in the second. Class.
Talk about tactical awareness, as player and a nation.
June 22nd 2010 @ 2:19pm
Australian Football said | June 22nd 2010 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Tony,
what happens when you give the opposition the ball and they score a goal against you. (NZ v Italy could be an example—the free-kick.) Hmm I understand what you are saying and respect your thoughts but I think a team should always strive for 100% possession and of course we know that is not possible—so the opposition will have the ball at times. I feel you are tempting fate by volunteering the ball to your opponents.
I only saw the Portugal v Nth Korea match yesterday and it was a fair contest for the first part of the first half with the Portuguese controlling the ball and finally they broke the spine of Nth Koreans with 10 superior ball-players controlling the majority of possession that gradually increased as the Koreans began to tire chasing shadows and the rest is history of course.
I would be a coach telling my players to try and control the match 100% of the time.
Love your work and most of the time I agree with you.
June 23rd 2010 @ 12:20pm
JR said | June 23rd 2010 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
Mourinho reckoned that he was ‘happy’ when Inter lost the ball against Barca, don’t know if this was serious or just some of his fiendish mind-play…but winners are grinners!
June 22nd 2010 @ 9:20am
JR said | June 22nd 2010 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Yes, of course – this is typically the way the Italians play, or used to play. Let the other team play, slow the play down, then snap into action to score.
I get irritated by the Barca/Spain style because it is just so bloody brainless. As Mourinho proved.
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:36pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
JR, don’t get more wrong, absolutely love the way Barca and Spain play, just that when it’s not working, bring something else that provides a solution. You’re right to bring up Italy, the masters of tempo football (not so far here).
June 22nd 2010 @ 9:53am
PB said | June 22nd 2010 @ 9:53am | Report comment
“Let them come up the pitch and send a few players forward, then win the ball in your own half and counter attack rapidly. There might actually be some space to play in.”
1000 times yes. You can’t call yourself an elite, thinking sporting team if you leave your opposition no choice but to put a fortress up.
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:40pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
The danger is, PB, that we get to a situation when “fortress” teams aren’t even interested in coming forward, even if invited by the “dominant” team. Fortress teams might simply be happy to sit on their box and play for penalties, esp. if they’re that organised and comfortable.
June 22nd 2010 @ 11:52am
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Good afternoon and welcome to this LIVE World Cup Q & A, discussing all trends and goings-on in South Africa. We’ve now completed the first two matchdays and if the on field stuff hasn’t been to everyone’s liking, there’s enough dressing room drama to keep you interested.
As for the on field action, after the goal average was a 1.56 after the first matchday, it has since increased to 67 from 32 games, an average of 2.09/game.
That compares with the 2.30 in 2006, 2.52 in 2002 and 2.67 in 1998, so it’s fair to say numbers are still down, but on the way up when compared to matchday one.
Of course, the Jabulani and defensive organisation spoken about in the story above have played a role.
While there’s still a long way to go, with plenty of drama to unfold, what’s clear is that the South and Central Americans are doing particularly.
Apart from Honduras, so far the likes of Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, USA, Paraguay, Chile and Brazil have all been doing well.
Some of the traditional European powers, like Italy and England, have struggled.
It’s been a mixed bag for Asia, while the Africans have been disappointing in the main.
As for the Socceroos, it’ll take a bit of good fortune, while the Kiwis continue to make a positive impression.
Let us know you thoughts, or questions, on any of the above, or more.
Who has caught your eye? What team, players or manager has impressed you?
Who do you think will get through the group?
How do you think the All Whites will go against Paraguay?
What are our chances of sneaking through?
June 22nd 2010 @ 11:56am
James said | June 22nd 2010 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Tony, you seem pretty impressed with Brazil?
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:53pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
Absolutely James, hard not to be after the two efforts so far. They’re just warming up I sense.
They have showed a lot of variation, in tactics, tempo, style
First and foremost they can transition back quick, and they have a very mean central defence. Drogba didn’t even make an impression, despite scoring.
They controlled the game offensively, mixing between quick transition and patient build up, with some lovely combination.
Then the Ivory Coast started hammering ‘em, with little protection from the official. Then I thought they dropped their bundle a bit.
A friend made the observation to yday that other teams might try and rattle them, get under their skin, and that it true. I was surprised and disappointed to see them react, but it was from frustration as they weren’t getting any protection.
I also couldn’t believe that Dunga didn’t take Kaka off earlier. He lost control a bit, I thought. I was screaming at my TV, saying ‘take him off, protect him’. It was so clear that the game was simmering and something would happen.
June 22nd 2010 @ 12:59pm
AndyRoo said | June 22nd 2010 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Pleased to see i’m not the only one that yells at coaches through their TV.
Took Pim a good 7 minutes before he finaly relented to my call for “fresh legs” and “give them a target”
June 22nd 2010 @ 1:04pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Every once in a while I succumb
June 22nd 2010 @ 1:26pm
AndyRoo said | June 22nd 2010 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
spared…I thought I was helping
June 22nd 2010 @ 1:07pm
Adam said | June 22nd 2010 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
TT,
What are your thoughts on the African sides’ lack of progress in the tournament so far? With no team even certain to make it to the second round.
June 22nd 2010 @ 1:27pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
Very disappointing to be honest Adam. Much was expected, or hoped.
There was a bit of talk earlier in the touni, and in my Live Q & A last week about the influence of defensive minded foreign managers, and I think that’s a part of it. Yes, improve the defence, but don’t sacrifice the natural inclination to get forward.
Parreira was very very poor against Urugauy, so defensive, he gave the Bafana no hope. No wonder they’re calling for his head.
Outclassed, Ivory Coast resorted to butchering Brazil yday. Again, Eriksson leaving Gervinho on the bench at the start was a joke, esp with average players like Tiote and Dindane on.
Le Guen hasn’t done much flash for Cameroon, not even giving Alex Song a minute in the first game, and much unrest within the camp apparently.
Algeria have had a go, esp against England they looked really good, with Ziani impressing, but they dont have a goal getter.
Nigeria self destructed against Greece, but lucky they have Enyema in goal.
Ghana have probably been the pick, I reckon, and are still in with a hope.
Overall, I’m not sure if the qualifiers there are tough enough, with few games and weak opposition. Perhaps they need a couple of tougher groups, with a couple of teams from each group qualifying rather than 5 groups where only first place qualifies.
For a WC in Africa, it can only be described as disappointing.
June 22nd 2010 @ 4:30pm
Griffo said | June 22nd 2010 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
Isn’t it Le Guen who is suppose to be one of the top candidates for the Socceroos coach position post-World Cup? Just another World Cup rumour or some fact? Sounds like he might have some issues to be investigated by FFA if the reports are true. Last thing we need is a coach who keeps attackers on the bench when we need to score
June 22nd 2010 @ 1:15pm
Art Sapphire said | June 22nd 2010 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
Tony, you say there was no solution when Spain could not find any Swiss holes and whipped in cross after cross.
Well there was and he was sitting on the bench. Liorente is 1.94 m. What’s the point of pinging in crosses to a mosquito fleet. Del Bosque’s inflexibility and cost the Spanish in the end. He did not make the right changes in the second half.
The same happened in the Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp. Barca played with a mosquito fleet and Mourinho was quite happy to see them fling in crosses to nobody. Sometimes, Guardiola in this case, you have admit defeat and go to plan B before its too late. As a side note – the only scorer at the Nou Camp was the defender Pique. When teams are parking the bus, the scoring outlet as in this case turns out to be the defender coming forward who does not get picked up.
Finally, midfielders who can play between the zones have been noticably effective in this World Cup.
It was Meireles who provided the runs from deep that pierced the Korean defence that got Portugal on the scoreboard and on their way to their comprehensive rout. Khedira did a similar job against Australia. We had a horrid time tracking runs from the midfield against Germany.
June 22nd 2010 @ 1:39pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Excellent post Art.
Re Spain first, Del Bosque is a puzzle. I generally rated his work at Real, but some of his work here has had many scratching. Couldn’t believe he would have both Alonso and Busquets in mid, with Alonso ahead of Busquets, in a role that would generally be the domain of a Fabregas or Iniesta.
Navas’ crossing was so so comfortable and predictable for the likes of Grichting and Von Bergen, and it was all into the same spot, not one cut-back from memory.
You’re right also to make the point about those joining late from midfield. Meireles was super last night, but this N Korean defence wasn’t exactly packed last night. Usually with a packed defence the space is out wide, why fullbacks can have some joy.
Overall though, would love to see alot more movement forward from the central men, a la Khedira and Meireles, it has been noticably missing from this touni (perhaps because of the packed defences meaning theres no room), and was thinking the same thing watching Meireles last night.
June 22nd 2010 @ 2:05pm
Art Sapphire said | June 22nd 2010 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
Tony – I think it also has to do with the athleticism and stamina of these midfielders in your squad. These guys are machines. By the way, it looks like Fabio Coentrao is a star in the making. He destroyed the Nth Korean yesterday down the left. Everything came down that side. I just checked and he is only 22 and contracted to Benfica until 2015.
Looks like Benfica are about to land in a whole heap of cash.
June 22nd 2010 @ 1:52pm
Tony Tannous said | June 22nd 2010 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
Thanks for joining this Live World Cup Q & A dissecting some of the tactical trends in South Africa. Be sure to tune in for my LIVE running analysis of the crunch Socceroos vs Serbia match at 4.30am (EST) on Thursday. Go the Roos!!