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HOW CHELSEA SETUP UNDER ENZO MARESCA. Yesterday it was How Chelsea setup under Roberto De Zerbi, but it looks today as though Enzo Maresca is pulling away as the favorite to become the new Chelsea manager. Chelsea want to appoint the new manager quickly. Enzo Maresca has been in the running the whole time.
Enzo Maresca, known for his innovative tactical approach, sets his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing a possession-based system. This strategy involves several key tactical elements designed to maintain control of the game and create scoring opportunities through precise ball movement and spatial exploitation.
Formation and Structure
*Defensive Line:* The back four consists of two center-backs who are adept at playing out from the back, often splitting wide to create passing lanes. The full-backs push high up the pitch, acting as auxiliary wingers in the attacking phase, providing width and stretching the opposition's defense.
*Double Pivot:* In front of the defense, the two holding midfielders, or the double pivot, play a crucial role in both defense and attack. One typically operates as a deep-lying playmaker, responsible for dictating the tempo, distributing passes, and acting as a pivot point. The other midfielder adopts a more dynamic box-to-box role, offering defensive cover and supporting attacks.
*Attacking Midfield Trio:* The trio of attacking midfielders consists of a central attacking midfielder (CAM) or number 10, flanked by two wingers. The CAM operates in the half-spaces, constantly seeking to receive the ball between the lines, create overloads, and link play with the striker. The wingers are inverted, cutting inside to create goal-scoring opportunities and allowing the overlapping full-backs to provide width.
*Lone Striker:* The sole striker plays as a complete forward, capable of dropping deep to link play, making runs behind the defense, and pressing from the front.
Tactical Principles
*Build-Up Play:* Maresca’s team prioritizes building from the back, with the goalkeeper and center-backs initiating attacks through short, precise passes. The aim is to draw the opposition's press, create numerical superiority, and find the free man in midfield.
*Positional Play (Juego de Posición):* Positional play is central to Maresca's philosophy. Players are assigned specific zones and must maintain discipline to occupy these spaces, ensuring optimal spacing and passing options. This positional structure creates triangles and diamonds, facilitating quick, one-touch passing and fluid ball circulation.
*Overloads and Rotations:* The team frequently creates overloads in key areas, particularly in the wide and half-spaces, to outnumber the opposition. Rotations and interchanges between players in these zones disorganize the opposition, opening up passing lanes and opportunities to penetrate the final third.
*Third-Man Runs:* Exploiting third-man runs is a hallmark of Maresca’s approach. The double pivot and CAM often engage in quick one-twos, allowing a third player to make a timed run into space, breaking defensive lines and creating goal-scoring chances.
*Pressing and Counter-Pressing:* Out of possession, Maresca's team employs a high press, aiming to win the ball back quickly and high up the pitch. The wingers and CAM lead the press, supported by the full-backs and double pivot. When possession is lost, immediate counter-pressing ensues to regain control and prevent counter-attacks.
*Transition Play:* Transition phases are meticulously managed. Upon regaining possession, the team looks to exploit the opposition's disorganization with quick, vertical passes. Conversely, defensive transitions focus on regrouping quickly, with the double pivot providing a shield for the defense and the full-backs dropping back to restore the defensive line.
Conclusion
Enzo Maresca’s 4-2-3-1 possession-based system is a sophisticated blend of structure, creativity, and tactical discipline. By emphasizing positional play, controlled build-up, and aggressive pressing, his teams maintain dominance over possession, create high-quality chances, and ensure defensive solidity.