Tactics Talk: Neutralising the 4-3-3 with the 4-4-2 defensive midblock

[@namakemono9480]

Great work as always, this is one of the most informative channels on KZbin, and very underrated (tactic doesn't give you as many clicks and views as all those clickbait goal compilations). Thank you.

[@FootballScrutiny]

I appreciate that! very kind words. would very much appreciate if you could share the work on your social media, its one of the best ways to help grow the channel. Getting alot of views really motivates me to make more videos, but when no one is watching it really begs the question of why I spend my spare time away from my family to make things which almost no one watches?

[@milovanpankov6376]

There si one way to break 4 4 2 block. The 4 3 3 become 3 1 4 2. For examlpe the left back goes high and wide. Left winger tucks in like second forward,right winger play wide on the touch line and right back shift in 3 at the back. There si 3 vs 2 in first line,there is 3vs 2 in second line and two forwards play beetwen centreback and fullback to pin defensive line and make space on the sides.

[@FootballScrutiny]

Yes I agree, there are so many variations.

[@danielgalea8499]

One other aspect to touch on for me, when we use zonal principles it's always useful to consider line staggering. So for example, if their rightback has the ball and our left sided midfielder wants to apply pressure, how exactly does the rest of the midfield shift to position themselves. Personally, I was taught it in this way. The man who pressures the ball (leftmid of the 4) is the 1st line of contention. The left center mid provides support as his shifts so the fullback coming inside with the ball is impossible. We call this the 2nd line. Now this of course leaves space behind him, the right center midfielder doesn't stay on the second line. He creates a 3rd line acting as what you could say is a pivot or 6 in the natural 433. This makes it impossible for the fullback to find the feet of a striker or offensive midfielder in the space that would exist between the lines. Finally the right midfielder who shifts to basically the center spot, is on line with the left center mid as part of the 2nd line. Now of course if the midfielder makes a deep run behind the defence line there isn't a midfielder to follow. But that's zonal principles and not problematic. The defence line must also stagger to some degree or at least prepare for such a more direct ball by increasing the distance between them and the midfield line. The "3rd line" created by the midfielder makes this easier to do also.

[@FootballScrutiny]

I completely agree, it’s something I actually spoke on in one of my trial videos. Whilst I practiced making videos with no pauses or editing. As a result I actually missed this part out. It could be worth a video on its own taking about the variations in midfield when shifting. The opposite side midfielders position can be highly up for debate. Play in the 2nd, 3rd line, how far inside they come. Which CM would press a pivote vs a 4-3-3 etc Very nice points by the way 🤝

[@danielgalea8499]

@@FootballScrutiny definitely worth a video all on its own but like you said, there probably many different ways you can do it.

[@RM-jc6sz]

Great video! Could you make a video neutralizing a 3-5-2 with the 4-3-3 defensive midblock?

[@Rainstorm121]

Thanks Sir. Can you make an analysis of Antonio Conte's 4-3-3 tactics at Inter? I like the way, he had a balanced team both in attacking and defending🙂

[@rezwann4355]

if u have sergio ramos and kroos in your team , i don't think breaking 4-4-2 mid block is that tough as they have excellent long passing quality shift the entire game in one pass problem arises mostly at the final 3rd defending against a bus parked team

[@FootballScrutiny]

yes thats one thing that I didnt touch on and perhaps i should have... maybe one for the future.