22/01/2024
To help with attacking combinations, Guardiola brought back the idea of the "False 9" (Messi excelled in this role, inspiring other coaches to adopt the tactic). Essentially, "False 9" drops between the lines to provide a vertical option during the build-up phase. This provides interconnectedness within the team as well as confusing the opponents and disrupting their defensive lines. Not only it creates numerical superiority in midfield, but it also provides space for other players to attack the penalty box, adding an element of unpredictability. It is an effective tactic against the teams defending in a low and compact defensive block. However, what really separates "False 9" from the nominal number 9 (who can also drop to midfield for reasons mentioned above), is that "False 9" also tends to move horizontally, often operating in half-spaces, playmaking for his attacking partners. The "False 9" can be an incredibly effective tactic because it essentially forces defenders to make a choice they'd rather avoid: should they stick with the False 9, potentially vacating their defensive line and creating space for others, or let the False 9 drop off and run the game from deeper positions?
"PRINCIPLES OF THE POSITIONAL PLAY" - Complete guide to understanding and coaching Positional Play. Tactical theory covers 10 principles used by masters of the Positional Play like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola, but also, by up and coming coaches like Roberto De Zerbi (artificial transitions) and Xabi Alonso (central vertical combinations) : playing out from the back, control of possession, positioning, movement, compactness, exploiting half-spaces, combination play, counter-pressing, vertical play and overload to isolate. With the total of 40 Tactical practices included (4 practices to coach each of the 10 principles).