A thread on defensive football and the misconception that it is finished in the modern game

First of all you have to define defensive football

Many put it down to the formations used such as defensive heavy ones like 3 at the back or 5 at the back ones

These achieve their goal by cramming as many players into the box by playing more defenders, simple

However it isn’t just down to formation

Jose Mourinho, who many consider to be the King of Defensive Football tends for more midfield heavy formations

Such as 4231 with Madrid and Spurs, 442 diamond at Porto and the 451 at United

With these formations the ai is to cram the midfield and restrict movement there and top stop entry of the final third rather than in the box

Solkjær has used both of these systems against City this year

In the match in Old Trafford United looked to attack in bursts instead of counter attacking. In the home game United held 27.7% possession but still however had more shots than City(12/7). This is an example of cuttin

Off access to the attacking third

This years Champions League will by remembered for two things

The 1 legged knockout system
Bayern being unstoppable

However what has gone under the radar has been the examples of defensive football getting big wins over possession football

Atletico vs Liverpool

Atleti defeated Liverpool over the 120 minutes and home game 4-2 on aggregate

In the game in Anfield Atleti held only 30.1%

This gave a blueprint to other teams to follow

Lyon vs Man City

Lyon endures only 28% possession against City who have seemed to have a major problem with breaking down higher quality low blocks

Lyon played with a 352 and played for the counter evident by their 7 shots to City’s 18

Mikel Arteta has become a sort of poster boy for defensive football since his schooling from Jose Mourinho

In the time after NLD Arteta has won two trophies and beaten Liverpool twice Coty and Chelsea

Artetas side held 40% possession in the CS and held out an impressive

grasp on the game even after they had conceded and held on for penalties supposedly having a team well drilled in a shootout

This game showed another way to counter Liverpool with the use of wingbacks to cut out crosses by sliding the out of play and Luiz’ heading ability

The Fa Cup final also had shown Artetas defensive capability with his side having a similar amount of possession lying around that 40% mark

Similarly Allegri another manager said to be finished has also had a major amount of success

Jose Mourinho another said to be finished has won three trophies in his last job at United
-Europa League
-Caraboa
-Community Shield

He has shown no slowing down bar being hung out o dry by our board

No one wants defensive football but what fans want are trophies and this system still works

End of thread