In Saturday’s game (15), Senegal tried to press, score further forward and attack with many players. Therefore, it left many spaces in defense for the fast and skillful Brazilian attackers.
This Tuesday (18), against Tunisia, it was different. The opponent didn’t make any advances in marking nor remained far behind, glued to the penalty area, which made it difficult for the quick and dribbling attackers of the Brazilian team.
Tunisia, with a line of five defenders, left no spaces between them, but scored little in the middle, but Brazil did not take advantage. The Brazilian team lacked more control over the ball, more exchange of passes in midfield.
With the addition of another fast striker (Vitor Roque), the triangulations in the midfield were reduced even further. Brazil was a hurried team, with a poor performance in the 1-1 draw. The only individual highlight was Estêvão.
Before, during and after Brazil’s victory over Senegal, what I heard most was the presence of four attackers in the team. It seems like it’s big news. More than that, for many it would be a demonstration of boldness and beautiful, offensive and efficient football.
There is nothing new. It is one of the most frequent formations in current major teams and selections in the world. The most important thing is to be well executed. There are not four attackers standing in front waiting for the ball. The four move, retreat and begin pressing to try to recover the ball in the opponent’s field. This did not happen in the selection with previous coaches.
You can call it 4-2-4, 4-4-2, 4-2-1-3 or 4-2-3-1. It doesn’t make any difference. It’s insignificant. When the team loses the ball and cannot recover it immediately, the two attackers on the sides (Rodrygo and Estêvão) return to score alongside the two midfielders. Furthermore, central midfielder Matheus Cunha returns and participates in the marking. In practice, the team defends with five in midfield and advances with four attackers.
There are variations. Some of the main teams play with a trio in midfield. They score with five in that sector: the three in the middle and, on the sides, the two attackers who retreat. Argentina scores in midfield with three and another attacker on the side, who returns when the team loses the ball. Messi and a center forward are further ahead.
Real Madrid’s best moments with Ancelotti were with the trio of midfielders formed by Casemiro, Kross and Modric. The coach adopted this formation due to the enormous quality of the midfielders. In the national team, as he has a greater number of skilled, talented attackers, he prefers to have more players in attack and fewer in midfield.
The 1994 world champion Brazilian team formed a line of four in midfield (two midfielders and a midfielder on each side). The criticism of the team occurred because the two midfielders (Mazinho and Zinho) did not advance when the team recovered the ball, leaving Romário and Bebeto isolated in the attack. Today the attackers on the flanks quickly return to score and immediately take the lead.
This alternation of positions and functions is one of the greatest evolutions in football. It is the strength of the collective, which improves individual talent. Together we are stronger.
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