IMPINGING THE BACK 5

Background

Sequel to my last post, THE POPULAR HALF-SPACES, I want to talk briefly on a 5-man back line.
Several years back the back-five was a Mourinho thing as he employed that when he was coach of Chelsea. We knew it as a very defensive shape that also sought to counter-attack with speed when in possession.

However, truth is the Italians have always known this shape well before Mourinho came to England. Ofcourse, the Italian league is famed for it's defensive nous. A coach like Antonio Conte always favoured this shape, whether it was in Juventus, Chelsea or Tottenham.

Today the back-five is no longer an exclusive preserve of defensive teams, very attacking(possession heavy) teams can form a back-5 shape when out of possession.

My task here is to detail ways of breaking the solid structure of a back-5. Like I said in the post I referenced above, half-spaces( otherwise known as interior corridors) are one key situation that needs be created to break this knotty system and I limit myself to this here.

By way of revision, I had said–

"A half-space is a certain space ( or gap) between the centre backs and the full-backs...It's important that the two centre-backs work in tandem, if not undue gaps can be left between them position and the full-backs."

Here are 3 ways to deal with it:

》Intelligent Link-up

I call it the Wenger ball. Here you need quick thinking for one-twos that help to open up spaces in the opposition back line. There are players already assigned to feast on half-spaces, as in my previous blog, so one-touch quick link-up play will help them utilise the widened or widening half-spaces.

》 A False-nine

This member of the team is a striker that drifts into the midfield because he is very comfortable on possession. Messi did that for Pep's Barca one season. The centre-back(s) who are instructed to be with the striker and therefore lured out of position following the striker into unfamiliar territory and half-spaces potentialy widen for other players to attack. The false-nine role well played can confuse the centre-backs a lot.

》Runs from Deep

Here we have quick runs made into the attacking third by full-backs or even deep lying midfielders. Their target is half-spaces that have opened up, advancing with the ball or receiving passes, through them. These speedy runs from deep makes it difficult for the markers in a 5-man defensive structure to keep watch over them.

Conclude

Generally the key is fooling the opposition with well drilled movements. It often takes patience as teams know you are seeking half-spaces. That's where you keep it simple, till you can create an opportunity to use any of the above or the five methods in my previous blog.

Have a blessed day.
Da witty