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Inverted Fullbacks: A thread.
Traditionally the role of the full back was primarily to provide defensive cover but over the years this role has evolved to a great extent making it one of the most difficult outfield positions, requiring great technical tactical and physical ability.
With time, fullbacks have had more influence in attack, normally providing the width and numbers advantage in attack. Some examples would be Cafu, Roberto Carlos, TAA and Andrew Robertson.
An inverted fullback also pushes up, however, unlike the attacking fullback, they move towards the middle of the pitch, creating a second line in front of the CBs, usually flanking the DM and thus comes the term “inverted fullback”. This creates a formation similar to the WM.
Pep Guardiola is credited with this innovation at Bayern Munich, where he used Phillip Lahm and David Alaba as inverted fullbacks. At Man City, Kyle Walker, Zinchenko, Cancelo and Fabian Delph have performed this role.
This role is used to provide coverage, numerical superiority in the central zones, which in turn helps in build-up. For example, teams understood that the DM is very important in Guardiola’s team so they tried man marking the DM to disrupt City’s build-up.
For example, Spurs tried to mark Rodri so Zinchenko stepped into midfield to allow City to build their attack.
Again, Lamela is marking Rodri, so Zinchenko drops back and Erikson follows him, which leaves a large space for Sterling. Thus, City’s build up stays unaffected.
The fullback role is becoming more complex day by day, and this is another innovation, or one might say evolution in the role.
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