What Is The Football Meta? | Tactics Explained

Roberto De Zerbi has hit the ground running in the Premier League and despite losing key players and their manager in the season, Brighton are arguably in a better position than they were. The Seagulls’ recruitment and the quality of their players has allowed them to maintain their impressive form but De Zerbi’s tactics are the major factor and his system could actually redefine the current meta in Premier League football. In this video, Statman Dave takes a look at Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton and explains how the Italian is evolving the Football Meta.
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[@StatmanDave]

Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton 🫡

[@chukwuemekaorji9331]

Amazing Tactician I love the analysics and I am wowed by Brighton any time I watch them play

[@2xAcTiOnXJaCkS0nx]

i think after this season tottenham will come in for him and brighton will move him on mistakenly thinking they can replace him finding another diamond in the rough for the third time in a row and fail...only to and get relegated like others before them sadly...hope im wrong

[@michaelgay7789]

Awesome Dave

[@calebtemiloluwa7029]

Statman Dave do a video on how Manchester united can stop Roberto de zerbi team

[@Jamiechisholm12]

This along with Brighton’s scouting system makes them such an easy club to root for

[@rktmtkljelrdkbn1852]

Dude , we took their whole scouting team 🤣🤣. If potter don’t work we probably would come to take him also

[@andrewjones-qi3ds]

@@rktmtkljelrdkbn1852 You obviously dont understand our scouting system. Its not only about the people but as much about Star Lizard and that is something you will never have, and the reason why people will come and go but we will be relatively ok.

[@elijahgonzalez3123]

@@rktmtkljelrdkbn1852 you have no idea what you’re talking about lol. brighton have the most advanced analytics as far as recruitment because of their owner’s company starlizard. chelsea & newcastle taking people will change nothing about brighton, they’re a well-oiled machine and always prepared for the next phase. take january for example, brighton got facundo buonanotte who is a genius in a terrible rosario central team & yasin ayari who is super highly touted in sweden. two players that no one else cared to scout but have real world class potential, particularly facundo.

[@noblesleem1077]

Data! That's really what it is; Data!

[@animateit4642]

​@@rktmtkljelrdkbn1852 but yet are still lower than them in the table😂😂

[@WombatGamesChannel]

Insane how they lost Potter and 2 good players and still are good or even better

[@neo6657]

I honestly thought Brighton would be done after Potter left for Chelsea.

[@notyourfriend1634]

And the whole backroom staff and head of recruitment

[@elijahgonzalez3123]

two factors: starlizard (tony bloom’s company) being so prepared, advanced, & built for these kind of changes. and de zerbi being a better coach than potter, especially in terms of achieving results at the highest level.

[@benarthurhuzz4664]

​@@neo6657 they brought in mitoma who is their best player since his arrival

[@TeamDevotionUK]

@@benarthurhuzz4664 he’s been there a few years, was loaned out to their Belgian affiliate with Undav due to work permit

[@jaken6603]

Long time Brighton fan here. This manager is unreal. We have so many good chances per game and we look like prime Barcelona half the time. De Zerbi is next level.

[@prateekmahapatra1789]

I hope he manages barcelona in future

[@LeviAckerman-bn2xp]

Brighton and Napoli really show an exciting football this season. Italian coaches looks like they already moves on from defensive style of football and goes more attacking.

[@siphomnisi3842]

Really I mean guys like Gasperini, Spalletti, Sarri and di Zerbi

[@monte5293]

@@siphomnisi3842 Italiano is another one that is doing well and redefining Italian football. Just need to get rid of the likes of Allegri and Mourinho.

[@metroboomin1070]

@@siphomnisi3842Italiano from Fiorentina too

[@fabriziocoppola6519]

Enough..we won the 2006 semi final against Germany with 4 forwards on the pitch. Italians believe in the importance of defance. We invented the "contrattacco". It does not means that we are "defensivist". We know how to win. We want to win😂😅

[@F-Tier_Physique]

De Zerbi has turned playing out from the back into a rondo.

[@TyrannicalTortoise]

Remember the early days of Potterball, there were some scary moments, but Brighton stuck with it and now it’s second nature to the players as they’ve been doing it for years now. The benefits have really showed with De Zerbi as the players have learnt the skills to express his style of football. Credit has to go to Tony Bloom we’re so fortunate to have a great chairman who’s also our biggest fan. UTA.

[@seanandrews5329]

Urininary tract anus

[@victorkreig6089]

Thanks Dave, can always count on you to give clubs and individual people their well deserved praises unlike all those talking heads at "established" media and the networks Kinda sad you give better analysis than guys in their 60's and 70's who've been doing it their entire lives because their heads are too far up their own backsides

[@Inukshuk67]

The best run club in the league. What an accomplishment.

[@digontozahid]

Pound for pound brighton play the best most enjoyable style of football in the league .........

[@victorkreig6089]

It's not even close Yet any time they beat a club in the top half of the table they get shit talked for how bad they did instead of how dominant Brighton is when they're firing on all cylinders Same is still happening with Brentford People still go "oh but it's BRENTFORD!" as if they were Norwich or something It's insulting and shows how stupid people are

[@mattspencer3073]

@@victorkreig6089 same thing happened when they played liverpool. On god I’ve never seen a world class team get dismantled the way they did when they played brighton. 2-0 flattered liverpool

[@victorkreig6089]

@@mattspencer3073 Probably the best pound for pound Italian manager that isn't retired, it's not even close Man is a wizard, there's a reason Shakhtar wanted him so bad

[@davidpt]

Stuff like this is why nowadays more and more you have to ask for intelligent players, who aren't just technically gifted but also understand the tactics in their full context and are curious about learning the concepts rather than just relying on their own skill. Being a team player > being a skilled individualist

[@gabrielalohan728]

Roger Schmidt is doing something similar at Benfica, although that was early in the season. But the 2422 is something I'm currently experimenting myself, you need really good wingers to make it work.

[@diegocosta6036]

How are u trying this urself ?

[@gabrielalohan728]

I'm coaching a church team

[@daniele5349]

​@@gabrielalohan728 😂😂

[@andresegurado1844]

​@@daniele5349 why are u laughing ?

[@daniele5349]

@@andresegurado1844 why I can t

[@bdpat100]

This is very impressive. However, would it work versus low blocks. All top 6 sides in the EPL have the players to implement that style. But the main issue is that they keep facing low blocks. Therefore, there isn't much space in behind for the wingers. This would kill in the Bundesliga though. With all their high line and pressing tactics.

[@josebatxu32]

Pretty sure this video is just about the build-up and countering the press, low blocks are usually played in the last 3rd and requires a different tactical approach, I'd personally go with hogging the ball and drawing defenders in to then exploit the spaces with quick one-twos or trying for early crosses if you want to have more time to prepare for counter attacks as they'd come from their box as opposed to a midfield turnover while trying to link up

[@notresponding3794]

In Bundesliga , most sides play with 4-2-3-1 or a 3-1-4-2 which is really effective against this . This tactic is kinda designed to answer the high press from opposition. But it keeps the ball really close to your own goal and it is dangerous, can get you in trouble.

[@DiogoGaming2]

Roger Schmidt´s Benfica, Naglesmann´s Bayern, Marco Rose´s Leipzig and Sarri´s Lazio next pls

[@user-ik7cs9wk4z]

There's a modern italian school of coaching with managers like De Zerbi, Spalletti and Sarri. Looks like a tiki taka with one touch passes and fast pace. I'd love to see a video of the similarities of those coaches that compose that school as well as their differences

[@StatmanDave]

It's a very exciting school of football - big focus on creating and attacking space

[@TigerAli69]

Spalletti Sarri have been trying to implement attacking football from a long time back. You should have followed More.

[@markant9534]

@@StatmanDave italian teams doing well in champion league

[@daniele5349]

Tiago Motta is a good coach.

[@manniking233]

Sacchi's babies. Sacchi and Cruyff are the greatest sparring partners of all time.

[@commentarytalk1446]

Another excellent video. I enjoy other channels that analyse football tactics fifo, football made simple but I've got to say the analysis in these vids is the strongest and clearest illustration. This system would thrive with the correct personnel eg Osimhen up front means his lightning pace and reflexes are matched perfectly to terrorize defenders who can't cope when he's given a long ball and it's 1 v 1 or 2-v-1 etc ie he has space and less players around him, he'll come out on top more and have more chances in this context. I think that's half the story: Systems work but also in context to player profiles and what the clubs' goals are eg Brighton can afford to lure bigger clubs forwards and hit them on the counter. Top clubs have to dominate stats for chances which then leaves an Achillies' Heel to any system that can exploit that. I think one of the positions that will come to be most influential in football is the DM holding midfield. It's already had some stand out successes with Makalele, Kante and Busquets or before their time Muller iirc in variations of the role. It will be interesting to see a player who can disrupt + hold-up in building from the back + distribute and possesses the physique as well as above skills to do these things.

[@lazios]

Assuming I understood correctly (I don't speak English well, sorry) in the game vs. Brentford (ended 3-3), De Zerbi's Brighton set a sort of record: all 10 of his team's movement players shot at least 2 times toward the opponent's goal. This is unbelievable, it would have been if all 10 players had shot at least 1 time, that they even did it 2 times is mind blowing.

[@okaymate-]

coreect, first time in the history of recorded stats (since 2004?)

[@theremotepropertyflipper6623]

Great video. Emery is using a similar build up at Villa.. Back 4 and double pivot, but has the left and right midfielders inverting to where De Zebri has his 9 and 10. often the top 2 are positioned on the outside of the oppositions full backs.

[@umarmars47]

But so the strikers play at the wing?

[@josebatxu32]

I think they aren't performing as well because they're lacking width

[@theremotepropertyflipper6623]

@Harsanto Wiryawan LB is very attacking and provides width and if Bailey starts as one if the front 2 he drifts wide right.

[@mikeyirish9658]

Keep doing your thing Dave I’m truly impressed and addicted to your work.

[@timothyjessejohannes-sk4fs]

Arteta's Arsenal used this build-up system/shape a few seasons ago when they won the FA cup.

[@footballgrandad]

I'm a Brighton fan - probably the best breakdown of RDZ's tactic I've seen anywhere.

[@mf2511]

This is high level analysis made simple. You are talented my friend👍👍

[@hervem.]

Arsenal just got beaten and Brighton played exactly as you described. I could see this all over the pitch 😮 and I remembered this video. Well done Dave! Impressive

[@theperformancelocker744]

Really good by the way mate. Spot on.

[@Fluent_Football]

This is great. Really enjoyed it. Thanks a lot.

[@TRPLGH]

We will soon start seeing teams implementing a zonal 4-4-2 high-intensity midblock to combat the style. RDZ showed against Leeds they had to change to the 3-2/2-3 system to bypass leads press. The danger men in this system are the 2 interiors (CF and 8) in the build-up, they are responsible for overloading the 1st and 2nd phase presses. Against Leeds, the CBs were allowed to have the ball, the press was triggered by a pass to either of the two DMs and strict man making on the 2 8s, followed by a collapsible press on the 2 fbs forcing the ball back to the CBs. Once RDZ recognized this, Mac Allister was pushed forward and the two FBs occasionally inverts. Their new superpower will be understanding situations and pressing triggers and morphing quickly from the 4-2-4 build-up to a 3-2/2-3 build-up.

[@TRPLGH]

(higher-quality teams) In their match against City, Pep pressed with a zonal 4-4-2 high press, with collapsible Wingers triggered by ball movement, which reduced their ball dominance a bit. But where he had the upper hand was in exploiting the manVman marking by RDZ. Isolating Haaland with either of the two CBs and playing direct ball to him. Brighton couldn't deal. Against Arsenal, Arteta seeded possession and focused on slowing down their second-phase progression by man-marking the 2-8s, however, Brighton had not learned to adapt to a 3-2 and they kept turning the ball over in the middle. Hence, arsenal swift counterattacks that Brighton couldn't control. 2nd leg will be interesting for both matches, it will only come down to who could convert their chances because all these teams will create.

[@eddingtontakunda9165]

Marco silvas Fulham needs a video

[@vg1808]

I watched this video now after seeing Francesco Farioli's OGC Nice being 2nd of Ligue 1, after beating PSG and Monaco. Farioli was De Zerbi's assistant and is using a similar style of play. It seems to be working well, and especially against aggressive teams, as Nice managed to score 3 goals against a very aggressive Paris. Nice's second goal against Strasbourg shows a huge passing phase in and near their own box, so they can attract the Strasbourg team and force them to press high, then put a through ball to Terem Moffi, a very fast player, when the opponents were high on the pitch. This style has also been combined with the attackers doing a huge pressing in the opponent's final third so they can regain possession very quickly, while still being safe in the back as Youssuf, one of the midfielder, stay near the defense. We have to see if the players can keep up physically on the long term, but seeing the results, this seems like the new meta indeed. Very good video, explains this system very well, needed it

[@petertromp8786]

I may be mistaken, but didn't Villarreal play a version of this system under Juan Carlos Garrido in the 2010/11 season? Where the two central forwards - in the form of Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi at that time - dropped deeper than the two wingers to overwhelm the midfield? Villarreal ended fourth that season in the Spanish league, and I recall vividly how they were celebrated for their attractive, effective football. Villarreal was identified as playing a "dynamic" 4-4-2 at that time, but could it be that that system - which I always thought had huge potential - could be manifesting itself in the modern meta in an even more meaningful and potent way?

[@muhammadabdul-razik5956]

Gasperini didn't struggle that much against him at sassulo, winning in big scores like 6-2, 5-0, 4-1

[@manniking233]

Well, Gasperini understood what De Zerbi was doing, so, of course, he knew what to do against him.

[@trevorlewatle1886]

Great tactic. Great video. Thanks again

[@thequicktake]

Great analysis as always, would you mind if I used some of the point's you brought up in a video?

[@stekhouse]

easy to understand thank you

[@ism4962]

Artificial transitions, attacking with blistering verticality 😋. De Zerbi is the future no doubt and what he's done with Brighton is phenomenal, but this style of play is not new. I feel the credit should be shared because this is exactly how Ten Hag set up at Ajax and had so much success with them, so I'm rather unsure why it's called De Zerbi ball when I feel Ten hag did it first 😬. He had an amazing ball carrier in de Jong who could exploit the spaces between the lines and progress play quickly in the final 3rd after a slow build up inviting the opposition press

[@MarcoBonechi]

RDZ did this at Sassuolo before Ajax. It's a new strategy in England. Also why isn't Ten Hag doing it at ManU? Clearly he doesn't believe in it.

[@ism4962]

@@MarcoBonechi he's not doing anything he wants to at Man U because he hasn't got the personnel for it. Everyone knows he's not playing the football he wants because the squad available to him doesn't meet his requirements. Hence why there's a summer clear out and why he's trying to be so aggressive in the market to bring the players he wants 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@fahadFirenze]

Impressive 🔝🔥

[@IR._]

Seems like Brighton were just waiting for Potter to leave so they could go in for De Zerbi

[@StatmanDave]

It does seem like De Zerbi's been on Brighton's list for a while

[@andrewjones-qi3ds]

@@StatmanDave Its part of our recruitment Tony Bloom has a list of all the up and coming managers that fits his system. He has a list now of managers to replace De Zerbi if he went (thats not to say he wants him to go), he would then go through the list see who is available then approach them if De Zerbi went. For some weird reason most teams dont plan for a manager replacement when things are good. Paul Barber has stated we always have to plan for the unexpected which is why within 10 days of unexpectedly losing Potter we replaced him seamlessly.

[@garytibbles9756]

Great work Statman , now do Nagelsman please !!

[@chu2ks2dfutur]

Excellent analysis. Reminds me so much of Poch at the Saints from 2013 to 2014. De Zerbi is destined for great things.

[@sarcasmpod]

Love your t-shirt 🔥

[@harryparsons2614]

Would love Roberto to come to spurs. Have loved watching his football post world cup

[@theperformancelocker744]

Watch Walton & Hersham. We’re very similar 👏🏼 ❤

[@eddingtontakunda9165]

I need unai emery's Villarreal please Dave ,do justice

[@winternext-tm6tl]

I think pep is also trying to do same. Haaland is now dropping deep more like a second CAM With rodri Gundo KDB x The RB forming a box

[@folawiyosulaimon1647]

Pls can u do a WILL STILL or MICHAEL CARRICK or KIERAN MCKENNA Tactics Kieran looks De zerbi though with how they use counter press system

[@AbCd-lw5vs]

So this is the famous Statman Dave that Dave Chapman always regeres to 😂

[@drukcg]

Tony Stark doing well 👏

[@nebyoukifle5984]

Great content i think it will become the feature .we heard admirational word from pep klopp

[@cheenananananana]

Imo, all modern managers use a high intensity pressing system... Which although gives short term results, the teams gas out in about 4-5 years. That's why top teams have an expiry date

[@PakluPapito]

Such innovation in going back to 442

[@user-ld4nm7xo7x]

If De Zerbi is Klopp's successor, that would be great. I love WM tactics that helps a team dominate the possession or outnumber the opposition. This is the concept of how to make a box-to-box tactic works.

[@jonathanlynch5031]

Did Peter Crouch make you wear that shirt lol

[@PUARockstar]

So bummed we (Shakhtar) lost De Zerbi and entire transfers of his, all foreigners (bar one) due to goddamn war...

[@h4ndrix]

I love David De Gea's reflexes. But he can learn from this.

[@edwinmwale5762]

good job

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Everton: “Haha. Beating Brighton is super easy. Barely an inconvenience.” Newcastle: “We agree. Haha.”

[@NPCSpotter]

W vid ngl statman

[@TheBrunobrogueira]

Roberto dezerbis all the praise hes getting

[@dreamchaser4866]

Brighton is the Ajax of the Premier league. Their scouting of talents Their hunting of promising managers Their transfer market policy Their winning mentality and much more🫡🫡🫡

[@ojasjain7977]

Isn't the playing out of the back to create counters originated and heavily used by conte ?

[@phiaklangtangjang5250]

If Brighton keep hold of their star performers , am sure they'll push the table even more next season. The manager is doing fantastic job...

[@danielf81]

Would love to see a Mourinho's Roma tactics!

[@mobilefreelancer3831]

If Brighton keep there players or even add some good ones they have a good chance for top 4 this manager is unreal

[@umarmars47]

What are the pros & cons of having 1 DMF vs 2 DMF? (DMF or CMF)

[@russellward4624]

2DMs gives more defensive cover on the counter attack but 1 less attacker. Instead of having 1 player needing to cover both channels, you've got 2.

[@thorbladeofchaos3242]

De Zerbi's tactics somewhat is resembling playstation style tactics haha... it insists player to have robust endurance and skills& vision too fully implement De Zerbi's tactic at the highest level

[@Stataze]

So what happened at Newcastle, they are a high press side?

[@mostintriguing21]

You are a statics maestro mate, you know your stuff bless up, post the next video and show the world why Arteta is performing so poorly with his one style of play and not resting saka and give tressoard more playing time in saka space.

[@romanromano4858]

Great job I hope I seem then play in the champion league this year ⚽

[@hozonov7995]

I'm trying to think how you could implement this in Football Manager

[@MrHrishikeshp8]

Many people and channels miss there scouting system....

[@zacknmcs]

Ok, but show me how to implement this on fifa

[@samuelconway8961]

Legit hahah

[@jogobonito_]

De Zerbi is a very talented manager

[@Joe-zt1tu]

Chelsea got the short straw buying Potter when De Zerbi was a free agent. Mudryk + De Zerbi at Chelsea would've been 🔥

[@nicklikethesoup]

I want to revisit this after Arsenal play Brighton a second time. This promises to be a good experiment in young tactical coaches blood bath.

[@emmanuelonyono4517]

I really like watching fantastic football

[@mostintriguing21]

This Brighton manager is amazing, it's a manager like him Arsenal need to win the EPL and the champions league. He's not a Coward manager like Arteta and he knows how to rotate his squad and how to set up a team.

[@leonardobaracchi7040]

Boario?!? It s darfo boario!!

[@chimie6471]

can you do pep New system 3241

[@ruyreiter1442]

De. Zeroing is a great manager. Flamengo needs him

[@thestrika]

Let me send this to Daniel Levy

[@slushyrh]

While I still support Liverpool, Brighton is defo a team I want to see succeed

[@Ryan-vr2gb]

so what do they do when teams don't press and just park the bus?

[@baldfeller]

push up and do the same in their half, then try and draw them out, or try and work it round them in the tighter space, Trossard is a big miss in that situation.

[@mnewson11]

here to show support alot of copycat videos out on same topic

[@goated6146]

I've been saying this guys the next big coach in football for the last few months after taking time to learn his principles of play after seeing what he's achieved. I'm a total believer in what he does. I wanna see him go to a team with a huge budget that'll give him time so he can build the team he actually wants for this style. I'm convinced he'd win everything. This is coming from an Arsenal fan who thought Trossard was an idiot for questioning this guy when the rumors came out before we eventually signed him. Thank god levy's too stupid to ever appoint a great coach like this so that club wont be spurs! hahahahaaaa.

[@chaupiamarighambi5859]

Heavy metal football doesn't win you league titles in the long run

[@shomy2256]

Arne Slot Feyenoord please.

[@gavinmcguinness3060]

Imagine trying to do these tactics in fifa lol

[@SimbaProSupporters]

Statman am from Tanzania in Africa

[@umarmars47]

Ok

[@-PlayMaker-]

Im ngl the new tactics of todays game is boring to me… idk why but the way City, Barca, Madrid and bayern to name a few play is just boring. Its like they all play the same way theres no uniqueness anymore. At least there was some variation when barca played tiki taka ball and liverpools aggressive pressing. Madrid used to have those amazing long balls and long shots. Now its just all the same to me

[@noelbrown6174]

timo werner

[@FreemindTv11]

😮

[@itumelengmokoena793]

This Tactics Explained seems underwhelming gave what De Zebri has gone and done with Brighton (Europe League) , there's more to his Playing style than this.

[@brad2theboneibiza]

You beefing up dude?

[@Crushinkof]

Pep is best

[@cheenananananana]

3rd person to comment

[@cheenananananana]

2nd person to comment

[@StatmanDave]

❤️

[@traviswarren1066]

That’s so cool

[@oryben]

The weakest point is Dunk. If you watch the matches, in every game, there are 2 or 3 instances where Dunk makes a terrible pass out of pressure to Caicedo . The only reason opponents don’t score is because Caicedo is amazing and he bails Dunk out. Soon or later, Dunk’s luck is going to run out and teams will exploit him.

[@TheFurinfuretto]

Juventus should have taken him. they waited too long and he went to brighton.

[@peterdanie4684]

Everton still beat them

[@einarjuel]

There is no meta in football. Learn to use words

[@forevermine1879]

This guy is the 4th best coach in the pl behind pep, klopp, Ten Haag