.
.
.
Football Legends - Managers
Rafael Benitez
..
.
Counter-attacking football
.
.
.
With 11 players to get past, scoring a goal is a tricky task at the best of times. However, the beauty of counter-attacking football is to use the other team’s desperation to score to your own advantage.
By withdrawing into your own half, but keeping a man or two further up the pitch, the goal is to take the ball off the opponent while they have players committed to the attack and thus out of position. Once you have the ball in your own half, you have more space to deliver a through-ball for your strikers, who will be lurking around the halfway line and will have fewer players to negotiate.
This tactic, while extremely risky and reliant on solid defending, can render impressive results and is often utilised by teams who are defending a lead or field a 4-5-1 formation (meaning the lone striker can get isolated in front of 4 defenders if both sides are set up properly).
.
.
Long-ball/Direct football
.
.
Often used to deride ‘boring’ teams, the long-ball style of play is genuine route one football. Rather than spend time on the ball picking the pass, exploiting small gaps in the opposition’s defensive or utilising the flanks, the long-ball is employed as an opportunistic method of attack. By pinging the ball up the field from defense or midfield, the hope is that the strikers will either latch onto the hopeful pass or exploit any mistakes by the defenders. Because the long-ball is dealt with in the air most of the time, any team employing it needs to have a strong target man.
.
.
Wide-play and alternating wingers
.
.
Since the days of Stanley Matthews and Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone, the wings have always been a key part of attacking football. By spreading the ball wide, you allow a different angle of attack and offer a number of opportunities for the winger; take on the fullback and drag central defenders out of position, cut inside and drive forward at an angle, or whip in a cross from deep for the strikers to attack.
A further development in wing-play has been to alternate wingers on the left and right flanks. If a winger is losing the battle with his fullback, switching wings can provide a breakthrough for the team. This was effectively employed by Portugal on their way to the final of the 2004 European Championships, with Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo frequently exchanging wing positions.
.
.
Using the set-plays
.
.
A common method for technically deficient sides, using the set-plays means exploiting all types of free kicks, throw-ins and corner-kicks. In the absence of quick, skilful players, such sides will use the break in play provided by set pieces to pack the box and attack the ball when it is delivered.
.
.
Basic defensive team tactics
The chief distinction in defensive tactics is between individual and team responsibility, reflected in the rise and fluctuating popularity of zonal defense and man-to-man marking.
.
.
Zonal defence
.
.
Zonal defense is basically self-explanatory. To cover for a team’s (or player’s) lack of pace or technique, every defender and midfielder is given a particular zone on the pitch to cover when the opposition has the ball. This is particularly important during set pieces, but does rely heavily on every player fulfilling their duties and keeping their concentration.
Ideally, the opposition will be facing two lines of four players covering the entirety of one half of the pitch. The defensive line is particularly important as, with proper communication and synchronised movement, it can exploit the offside rule and prevent all long-balls and through-balls succeeding. Generally speaking, zonal defense is fundamentally simple but allows sides to deal with all types of attackers on the opponent’s team. However, it can be fraught with danger if any individual fails to cover his area of the pitch.
.
.
Man-to-Man marking
.
.
The term is often associated with continental (and particularly Italian) football and, once again, is extremely simple at its core. Whereas the defenders and midfielders are responsible for zones in zonal defense, man-to-man marking means certain individuals are responsible for guarding a particular opponent. Man-to-man marking is particularly effective alongside a sweeper who has a free role, enabling him/her to support anyone having problems with his opponent and reducing the potency of through-balls and balls played over the top of the defence for forward players to run onto.
However, man-to-man marking requires incredible discipline on the part of the marker, and good decision making on the part of the manager. If a slower defender is matched up with a pacey striker, the results could be grim to say the least!
.
.
Modern Formations
.
4-3-3 FormationThe 4-3-3 was a development of the 4-2-4, and was played by the Brazilian national team in the 1962 World Cup. Quite simply, it is a more attacking 4-3-2-1. The extra player in midfield allows a stronger defence, and the midfield could be staggered for different effects. The three midfielders normally play closely together to protect the defence, and move laterally across the field as a coordinated unit. The three forwards split across the field to spread the attack, and may be expected to mark the opposition full-backs as opposed to doubling back to assist their own full-backs, as do the wide midfielders in a 4-4-2. When used from the start of a game, this formation is widely regarded as encouraging expansive play, and should not be confused with the practice of modifying a 4-4-2 by bringing on an extra forward to replace a midfield player when behind in the latter stages of a game.
A staggered 4-3-3 involving a defensive midfielder (usually numbered 4 or 6) and two attacking midfielders (numbered 8 and 10) was commonplace in Italy, Argentina and Uruguay during the 1960s and 1970s. The Italian variety of 4-3-3 was simply a modification of WM, by converting one of the two wing-halves to a libero (sweeper), whereas the Argentine and Uruguayan formations were derived from 2-3-5 and retained the notional attacking centre-half. The national team which made this famous was the Dutch team of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, even though the team won neither.
In club football, the team that brought this formation to the forefront was the famous Ajax Amsterdam team of the early 1970s, which won three European Cups with Johan Cruyff. Most teams using this formation now use the specialist defensive midfielder; F.C. Barcelona are the most famous recent example.
At the 2006 FIFA World Cup Spain and The Netherlands played both a variation of 4-3-3 without wingers. The three strikers would interchange positions and run the channels like a regular striker would.
.
.
.
4-4-2
4-4-2 FormationThis adaptable formation is the most common in football today, so well known that it has even inspired a magazine title, FourFourTwo.
The midfielders are required to work hard to support both the defence and the attack: typically one of the central midfielders is expected to go upfield as often as possible to support the forward pair, while the other will play a "holding role", shielding the defence; the two wide midfield players must move up the flanks to the goal line in attacks and yet also protect the fullback wide defenders.
It is a very popular formation in Britain especially
.
.
4-4-2 diamond or 4-1-2-1-2 
4-4-2 Diamond FormationThe 4-4-2 diamond (also described as 4-1-2-1-2) staggers the midfield.
The width in the team has to come from the full-backs pushing forward
.
.
4-4-1-1 
4-4-1-1 FormationA variation of 4-4-2 with one of the strikers playing 'in the hole', or as a 'second striker', slightly behind their partner.
The second striker is generally a more creative player, the playmaker.
Italy played with this formation in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final. Alessandro Del Piero played as the second striker while Luca Toni was positioned ahead of him.
.
.
4-3-2-1 (the 'Christmas Tree' formation) 
4-3-2-1 FormationThe 4-3-2-1 commonly described as the 'Christmas Tree' formation. Another forward is brought on for a midfielder to play 'in the hole', so leaving two forwards slightly behind the most forward striker. Terry Venables first brought in this system throughout England's Euro 96 campaign, and was widely used by Frank Rijkaard in his Barcelona squad.
Glenn Hoddle then used this formation during his time in charge of the England national football team. Since then the formation has lost its popularity in England. It is however most known for being the formation Carlo Ancelotti utilized on and off during his time as a coach of AC Milan.
In this approach the middle of the three central midfielders act as a playmaker while one of the attacking midfielders plays in a free role.
The Christmas Tree formation is considered a relatively narrow formation and depends on full-backs to provide presence in wide areas. The formation is also relatively fluid. During open play, one of the side central midfielders may drift to the flank to add additional presence.
.
.
5-3-2 
5-3-2 FormationThis formation has three central defenders (possibly with one acting as a sweeper.
This system is heavily reliant on the wing-backs providing width for the team. The two wide full-backs act as wing-backs.
It is their job to work their flank along the full length of the pitch, supporting both the defence and the attack
.
.
5-3-2 with Sweeper or 1-4-3-2 
5-3-2 Sweeper FormationA variant of the above, this involves a more withdrawn sweeper, who may join the midfield, and more advanced full-backs.
.
.
3-4-3
3-4-3 FormationUsing a 3-4-3 the midfielders expected to split their time between attacking and defending. Having only three dedicated 
defenders means that if the opposing team breaks through the midfield, they will have a greater chance to score than with a more conventional defensive configuration, such as 4-5-1 or 4-4-2.
However, the three forwards allow for a greater concentration on attack.
This formation is used by more offensive-minded teams.
.
.
3-5-2
3-5-2 FormationThis formation is similar to 5-3-2 except that the two wingmen are oriented more towards the attack. Because of this, the 
central midfielder tends to remain further back in order to help prevent counter-attacks.
It differs from the classical 3-5-2 of the WW by having a non-staggered midfield. It was used for the first time at international level by the Argentinian coach Carlos Salvador Bilardo.
Many teams also use a central attacking midfielder and two defensive midfielders, so the midfielders form a W formation.
.
.
3-6-1
3-6-1 FormationThis uncommon but modern formation obviously focuses in the ball possession in the midfield. In fact, it is very rare to see 
it as an initial formation, as it is better used to keep results.
Its more common variants are 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 Diamond, which use two wingbacks. The lone forward must be tactically gifted, because he is not only focused in scoring, but to play back to the goal to assist with back passes to his teammates.
Once the team is leading the game, the tactics focuses even more in ball control, short passes and time wasting. On the other hand, when the team is losing, at least one of the playmakers will play more often in the edge of the area to add depth to the attack.
Guus Hiddink is one of the few coaches who has used this formation when coaching Australia, in the 2006 World Cup
.
.
4-5-1
4-5-1 Formation4-5-1 is a defensive formation; however if the two midfield wingers play a more attacking role it can be likened to 4-3-3. 
The formation can be used to grind out 0-0 draws or preserve a lead, as the packing of the centre midfield makes it difficult for the opposition to build-up play. Because of the 'closeness' of the midfield, the opposing team's forwards will often be starved of possession.
However, due to the lone striker, the centre of the midfield does have the responsibility of pushing forward as well.
The defensive midfielder will often control the pace of the game.
.
.
4-2-3-1
4-2-3-1 FormationThis formation is widely used by Spanish and French sides: it is a defensive formation which is quite flexible, as both the 
side midfielders and the fullbacks may join the attack, usually on the counter.
In defence, this formation is similar to the 4-5-1. It is used to maintain possession of the ball and stopping opponent attacks by controlling the midfield area of the field. The lone striker may be very tall and strong to hold the ball up as his midfielders and fullbacks join him in attack.
The striker could also be very fast. In these cases, the opponent's defence will be forced to fall back early, thereby leaving space for the offensive central midfielder. This formation is used especially when a playmaker is to be highlighted.
This formation is also currently used by Brazil as an alternative to the 4-2-4 formation of late 50's to 1970. Implemented similarly to how original 4-2-4 was used back then, use of this formation in this manner is very offensive, creating a 6-man attack and a six-man defence tactical layout.
The front 4 attackers are composed as wide forwards and playmaker forward in support of a target striker in front.
.
.
4-6-0
A highly unconventional formation, the 4-6-0 is an evolution of the 4-2-3-1 in which the centre forward is exchanged for a player who 
normally plays as a trequartista (that is, in the 'hole'). Suggested as a possible formation for the future of football, the formation sacrifices an out-and-out striker for the tactical advantage of a mobile front four attacking from a position that the opposition defenders cannot mark without being pulled out of position.
However, owing to the intelligence and pace required by the front four attackers to create and attack any space left by the opposition defenders, the formation requires a very skilful and well-drilled front four. Due to these high requirements from the attackers, and the novelty of playing without a proper goalscorer, the formation has been adopted by very few teams, and rarely consistently.
The formation was first professionally adopted by Luciano Spalletti's Roma side during the 2005-06 Serie A season (mostly out of necessity) as his "strikerless formation",and then notably by Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United side in the 2007-08 Premier League season (who won the Premier League and Champions League that season).
.
.
5-4-1
This is a particularly defensive formation, with an isolated forward and a packed defence. Again however, a couple of attacking fullbacks can make this formation resemble something like a 3-4-3.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
