What is the Mezzala and Why They are Crucial in the Modern Game

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Mezzala Tactics Explained!
The Mezzala position has been one of the most important tactical developments in football. It's versatile nature makes it the perfect role to have for high pressing teams, as it allows them to regain possession early and threaten the goal often. When building up, the Mezzala will always try and find his positioning between the lines, meaning he is excessively difficult to mark and to track.
In todays tactics video, we're going to be taking a look at the mezzala position, and the main offensive and defensive duties of this role.
If you enjoyed this video please leave a like & subscribe for more!
PATREON: / footballmeta
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INSTAGRAM: / thefootballmeta
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:22 Mezzala Definition & Positioning
01:21 History & Best Players
02:22 Sponsor
02:56 Offensive Tactics
05:34 Defensive Tactics
06:33 Weaknesses
07:17 Outro

[@davidhosea850]

Iniesta used to be the best in this position, with amazing dribbling and passing ability.

[@jahzeditz]

❤

[@happy_camper]

and Michael Laudrup - Iniesta's hero

[@Roxas1711]

when Pogba plays on "the left wing" under Ole he's basically deployed as a mezzala, and an excellent one at that. same when he plays CM for France.

[@ombrahmbhatt2432]

Milinkovic-Savic is best example of a perfect mezzala

[@briankimathi477]

Yah "best example"😭😭

[@lucavaccino117]

Also barella

[@abdotaher9109]

Also modric

[@lucavaccino117]

@JERMAINE JORNES JINGGA ANAK JENA Moe yes, because in italian “barella” means stretcher So when Inter beat Juve last year and barella scored and assist i always said “juve in barella”, meaning that Juve went K.O.!🤣🤣🤣

[@teejhayemperor5447]

Exactly

[@TheKyykky]

First name that came to my mind when you started explaining what a mezzala does was iniesta. At least in the peak Busqets-xavi-iniesta era.

[@trungbui1762]

a quick fix for many people, Mezzala is not a position, it is a role. This role was also the key to replace the lack of defensive duty of a traditional number 10 (a.k.a advanced playmaker). Iniesta was the first person to bring the mezzala role to the modern world. i think this role is extremely challenging. He needs to have the a creative ability like a No.10 (actually Mezzala was born when an unknown coach ordered his No.10 to run up and down like a box-to-box ang hug the half-spaces more often), but also he has a box-to-box stamina to support attack and defense consistently.

[@grantojeh1251]

KDB is the best example for me. Please can you do a video on the 4-3-2-1 formation or Christmas tree formation !.

[@ojasdighe991]

Bernardo as well right?

[@patm407]

KDB literally does everything he described in this video. Pep really knows how to use this position

[@undefined.infinity3106]

this channel brings all types of my favorite tactical things. keep growing 👀

[@sportstalkbyaakash6297]

Top bro.. I learn a lot from your videos bro ♥️

[@mjq8963]

He may not be the best example but Barella is so fun to watch! He plays his heart out and is so well rounded, winning so many tackles high up the pitch and I love his outside the foot passes to his wingers and other attackers👏

[@ryankwan4102]

After watching this vid, I feel Harvey Elliot from Liverpool is a good mezzala and a great player in his role, he'll have time to develop when he returns from injury

[@asianwarrior2193]

I hope he fully recovers, he's such a great talent and i would hate for his career to be over as soon as it started

[@newgenz7964]

Wonderful video ❤️ love from thailand 🇹🇭

[@mrbc1848vu]

Good video - Mezzala seems to be a CMF w/ freedom to roam - like Forlan or Sneider or Cryuff, etc in years past. DeBruyne is today's quintessential Mezzala. Key to this Mezzala is keeping possession and the ability to high press/regain. Failure to do those elements well - will make a Mezzala ineffective. Past battles between CHE/MNC/LVP have demonstrated the effectiveness of Mezzala and the ways to defeat it. Again, great video.

[@RH-hz9ly]

I actually implement a lot of your videos in games (not football matches) and look which one suit my team(s) best. Thank You for all lessons 😀

[@Uncastled_prince]

Me too lol

[@captainmalone3217]

@@Uncastled_prince bill cosby

[@km7889]

Thank you for making such great videos. Especially for one me as a new fan of football these are great. Please make more content for the different roles. Segundo Volante, DLP/ AP etc…

[@FootballMeta]

Will do!

[@LightGreenCorona]

I'm following you quite a lot and I always read the comments. You need to make a video about the difference between a 'postion' and a 'role'. Mezzala can be both, but Box-to-Box-Midfielder is only a role. Another interesting video following this logic would be about asymmetric formations (at least in possession). These follow the roles of players on the pitch, e.g. Bayern Munich with Alphonso Davies playing as left wing in possession, while on the other side Benjamin Pavard rather has the role of a playmaking half CB. You could do a whole series about the formations of teams considering different lineups and their roles.

[@FootballMeta]

Yeah that's a pretty good idea, could be interesting to look at some of the teams that play like this... I feel every team will always be slightly asymmetrical simply because each player is different. But there are systems that are more lopsided than others

[@Dabeautifulgamee]

A box to box is a pure CM, a Mezzala is more of a 10 that can play as an 8 in a 3 man midfield. The same reasons why you can't play a box to box as a 10 is the same reason why a box to box can't be a Mezzala.

[@totalefootball8637]

Kevin De Bruyne is my favourite Mezzala. Thanks man. I will use these tactics in my next game as I am a Mezzala or a free 8 myself.

[@rachitdang7453]

Jack Freakish is also a solid mezzala, when deployed in the midfield.

[@bereal2366]

I thought it was an Indian food lol ,, Luv ur Channel Very informative👌

[@FootballMeta]

😂

[@fishyfish6510]

Masala 🤣

[@abdulmunim2878]

very informative!

[@captainmalone3217]

What did you learn

[@zulfadli4565]

So mezzala is like no 10 that focus on 1 side half wing? What about the other side?

[@FootballMeta]

I made this video focused on if he plays on the right flank, but obviously this works down the left as well, it's rare however to see 2 players in this role in the same formation, and if one is a mezzala the other will most likely be a box to box midfielder or atleast someone slightly more defensive

[@matthewmaneri8511]

Football Meta does the mezzala stick to his positional half? Or does he have a free role in the attacking third?

[@zulfadli4565]

@@matthewmaneri8511 i think its just the expanded role of pos 10, it can be flexible, depend on the situation, the coach or the player itself. But basically when attack, the mezzala act like what in this vid explained. CMIIW

[@y_o_u_7244]

Can you make a video who to be a coach and make your own tactics and princibles and how to star and mistakes to avoid +best football channel❤️🥰

[@kailasnathk9437]

Why is this channel so underrated

[@jake8993]

Giacomo Bonaventura at Milan was a textbook Mezzala from LCM, loved watching him play

[@captainmalone3217]

02:10

[@nharikrishna7818]

How to defend when our high press is bypassed. Can you do this video.

[@FootballMeta]

Great suggestion 💪🏻 thank you

[@fishyfish6510]

Run back like the wind😂

[@RemozGaming]

go for long balls and be defensive :D

[@AnasMirza534]

board looks awesome, is there any website to buy?

[@afdhalshaffy7823]

What do you think of Martin Odegaard for Arsenal? I think he also played this role so far this season.

[@sakuragi_hanamichi3263]

It is like a modern playmaker. The difference is the positioning and defensive duties. Not sure though why did some playmakers struggle to turn into mezela?

[@filipec.freitas8930]

I will recommend this channel to Brazil national team coach.

[@leondaba3518]

is it possible to make a video for the role/tactical configuration of a fullback

[@mohamedrachid8657]

Naby Keita is definetly my favorite mezzala player so far, specially in offensive duties

[@ezekielduran4386]

Great example. From a Man U fan, I know he is a very underrated player. He was also great during his time at Barca. My best friend is a Barca fan so I've known his qualities for quite a while, as we used to watch a lot of games together

[@moreece1713]

Emile smith Rowe is another example of a it,he prefers being wide than cental imo

[@alexr6484]

Jamal Musiala is my favourite. Worldclass how he recieves the ball and turns towards the goal.

[@marvyjoe413]

Is barella a mezzala or a box to box Midfielder?

[@galih659]

KDB & Ryan Giggs is my favorites

[@kujarukaijetjiriange3963]

I have never seen anyone that can analyze football better than you.

[@captainmalone3217]

Ronaldo must do this

[@andreandeo6177]

Neymar at copa America 2021 and world cup 2022 played the attaking style mezzala

[@MrHuph-vu2wc]

Bernardo Silva is for sure a Mezzala

[@mawandakenneth2054]

Please make a video about a mezzala known as Smith rowe

[@julionunez6855]

Mezzala is a new 10

[@michaellyga4726]

I have a great idea: A video on the W-M formation presented as a 1950s TV commercial

[@miguelmcglopes7]

Pizzi is my favourite mezzala

[@FanofAslan]

Iniesta was my favourite player in this role.

[@alejandroaguirrelaprea4602]

What software do u use for the tactics explanation?? Also, where can we find that board?

[@FootballMeta]

I use davinci resolve to edit my videos, and the board I made myself by painting a plank of wood I found in the garage 😉

[@alejandroaguirrelaprea4602]

@@FootballMeta what about for the tactics animation??

[@sannibesh]

Make a explain of Livero Defender ❗

[@ay613]

Connor Gallagher for my team palace has good potential.

[@fishyfish6510]

Our own academy boy😍

[@aadhi4010]

Make a video on cr , how crs arrival affect mu

[@omkarbarve1974]

What's the diff betn Mezzala n Box to box? Is Mezzala more horizontal? Also is Iniesta Mezzala?

[@FootballMeta]

I'd say the main difference is that a box to box may help out a lot more often during build-up or even when defending, while a mezzala is usually more attacking. Having said that, the roles and positioning are pretty similar between the two positions, and a mezzala will still have to defend and help build up at times

[@tahmidtazwar6427]

Is Federico Valverde considered as a mezzala?

[@moreece1713]

Yeah , I'd say that

[@captainmalone3217]

@@moreece1713 im wondering exactly how they do this

[@moreece1713]

@@captainmalone3217 they watch how you play ,E.g Thiago Alcantara plays different as Kante but they both play same position on the pitch

[@munyiri2654]

Ah! An advanced playmaker!?

[@Pascal333]

So fede valverde and Marcos llorente are mezzala

[@alexmanzo3104]

now i see how Klopp play his midfield three...Endo/Macca as dm ..Curtis Jones/Gravenberch as b2b...Szobo/Elliot as Mezzala😮😮😮

[@winniolanimus4995]

I personally think Paul Pogba is quite underrated of a Mezzala.

[@joaotaborda3025]

Personally, I see Pogba as a deep-lying playmaker as per his long passing ability and movements on pitch

[@ezekielduran4386]

Not typically deployed as such Wayne Rooney could have been the perfect Mezzala. I think of Iniesta, Ozil or Muller as others that would be great in that role. Not sure how often any of them took up that role but just an observation

[@paxundpeace9970]

INESTA yes but Özil and Müller are playmakers and a bit more attacking .

[@cocopops8298]

how about a vid for regista

[@AppreciateMnisi]

Definitely Iniesta back in the days

[@rickynetogoat5769]

Is Jorginho considered a mezzala for Italy or for Chelsea? At chelsea for me anyways he plays more of a deep play making or a roaming play maker that stays central and helps shift the play in attack. while the other mid moves up the field to link up play. Also Chelsea have only played with 2 central players kind of a double pivot.

[@FootballMeta]

No I wouldn't consider Jorginho a mezzala. He's more of a regista or pivot for Chelsea. Crucial during buildup, but not essential in the final third. I have a video on this position, go check it out 💪🏻

[@GM-kj7sy]

@@FootballMeta can Andreas Iniesta be consideres as a Mezzala?He is very similar to DeBruyne in a lot of way

[@fishyfish6510]

@@GM-kj7sy I think Xavi and Iniesta are the best mezzalas in history

[@vestysteiner9480]

@@fishyfish6510 Xavi was closer to Kroos or Pirlo to be considered a Mezzala. Luis Enrique was good at it similarly to Iniesta

[@djnasqo981]

Jorginho is a regista.

[@ya.bel.7531]

Clarence Seedorf best of All time

[@abdulfattahyusuf6478]

From your explanation I think Bruno Fernandes can be considered as a Mezzala

[@cleonspence5775]

Alexis Mac allister is a good mezzala

[@prayagvfx]

This game will continue to evolve untill football and the world dies

[@sabeloking3950]

Just curious. What would you call a Jorginho? Thanks.

[@JustYesnt]

@Divye Pugaloke where do you get those names? They're really cool

[@itsamefra]

@@JustYesnt mezzala and regista are Italian words

[@sabeloking3950]

@Divye Pugaloke thanks.

[@makchot3263]

@@JustYesnt football manager

[@karumehuie1407]

Bernardo Silva

[@harikrishnan5039]

What about ozil

[@y_o_u_7244]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@LorenzoScarafia]

Is Havertz a Mezz'ala?!

[@julionunez6855]

Iniesta? Modric? would they be considered?

[@FootballMeta]

Yeah I would say they are

[@hemalatajanwade5236]

Please explain messi evolution of his whole carrier from 2008 to 2021💪💪🤑🤑⚽⚽🦁🦁

[@mohamedatefasal1]

Federico Chiesa

[@dssanders6100]

Bruno Fernandes does a great job as half winger

[@fishyfish6510]

He's an attacking midfielder bro

[@beatty1229]

I think this is what makes him the best CAM. He can make runs/crosses from the half space on both sides, he can sneak up front beyond the striker, or drop back, build up, and score from 30 yards out ha

[@balavinay8365]

Riqui Puig

[@sat8540]

Pogba has been ole’s perfect mezzala

[@ay613]

Grealish could be the man for this.

[@brissprilla]

martin ödegaard

[@Qassimsport]

2:16 kevin De bruyne

[@MersageSW]

I believe Xhaka at Arsenal has played this role in the last few games on the left side

[@Canowski17]

Imagine if this was pinned Great video btw

[@f4footballhub157]

Is kaka mezzela??

[@winstong7438]

❤

[@sfi_ane2230]

Modric

[@tahjairchristian4508]

Is pogba a mezzala

[@FootballMeta]

At times yes, at United he's been used more as a deep lying playmaker, but previously at Juventus and on occasion he's played as a mezzala

[@shahar2468]

Frenkie de jong

[@rajanv6888]

Hi, Football META, I guess tweaking the title a bit would bring more viewers. The current title would only attract people who know what a Mezzala is.

[@marvinschneider9309]

one name: Pedri

[@dhiditdwiputra]

Thomas muller is aslo a good mezzala

[@AppreciateMnisi]

He's more of a raumdeuter

[@dravidalfred4330]

Milinkovic savic

[@prosperkachenga3778]

Toni kroos

[@reasetilo]

No.

[@henrichristophe5310]

Kroos is a deeplying playmaker.

[@homemadememe_00]

Pogba is a mezzala, isn't it?

[@FootballMeta]

Yes at times Pogba plays in this position, but can sometimes be deployed as a deep lying playmaker instead

[@600HP_Camaro]

Can't believe you guys forgot Piotre ZIELINSKI from Napoli! He is a textbook Serie A mezzala, having took over from Hamsik many years ago. Many fans view him as a #10 but that is not his best position, #8 is for sure.

[@XStoffe]

Fabregas and now Bousquet. Kante too when allowed to attack.

[@wishnupaganti5432]

Frank Lampard

[@meadiodutche8667]

So, basically, the modern no 10?

[@johnlau6749]

Not really actually. Go and watch carefully De Bruyne play under Pep

[@leonardooscaralvarezgonzal8393]

Volante in spanish

[@hitman4671]

Bruno

[@LorenzoScarafia]

Kanté is a mezz'ala?!

[@FootballMeta]

Occasionally yes I think he does suit this role, especially under Maurizio Sarri and Lampard, I think he's slightly too defensive to be considered a true mezzala