ITALIAN DEFENDING PHILOSOPHY
This Italian Defending Philosophy blog has been donated by qualified Football Coach Matthew Kirckwood. We thank Matthew and recommend his coaching and website.
How Napoli defended against Chelsea in the Champions League
This article was written at the end of 90 minutes in the second leg. The game wen't into extra time, therefore something's may not be fully up-to-date.
I've always been fascinated with systems of play, and how different teams, from different countries try to come up with new and improved way's to defend against the opposition. However Football is changing. Five years ago, teams didn't keep the ball for as long as they do now. Since the emergence of Barcelona and the style of Football they play, teams are trying to adapt defending wherever possible to deal with this new breed of attack.
However this article isn't based on the generics of defending, or a comparison of the different systems used in modern day Football. It's based on the system Napoli used in the Champions League games against Chelsea, and it looks at how and why they use this system, and also were it can wrong!
Men Behind The Ball
Napoli like to play a 3-4-2-1 formation, allowing the front 3 to attack when possible, as well as the Midfielders pushing on to create a potent attacking force. However when they defend, it's a very different philosophy. As soon as Chelsea received the ball, Napoli dropped towards there own goal, and the back 3 defended from the 18 yard box. This is known as compact defending, and is very much an Italian style. The Italians are best known for being some of the best tacticians in the world, and a compact defence is one of the first commands a coach will demand from his side.
Here's the reason's Napoli choose this method:
1) To stop any ball being played in-behind - Napoli aren't the quickest at the back, therefore stopping a ball in-behind is vital.
2) To make play compact - The less space in the middle, the less harm can be done. Force teams wide.
3) To stop players playing between the hole (defence & midfield) - Clever players play between the lines, and Napoli don't want Lampart or Drogba picking it up, and turning at the defence 25 yards out
.
4) To make Chelsea play in-front at all times - As long as the ball is in front and visible, Chelsea can't do much harm. Similar to point 1.
5) To apply pressure when possible, with a view to counter attacking quickly on the break. - Napoli, unlike Barcelona, don't hunt the ball down and pressurise, therefore they choose there moment's wisely, and when they do knick the ball, the attack quickly and effectively.
Here is a diagram of how Napoli line up when the ball is on the right wing, with no pressure on the ball.
The back 3 of Napoli are using the 18 yard box as a marker line, and playing very compact - basically making Chelsea play wide rather than central. The midfield 4 drop in to close the gap between defence and midfield, ensuring the no players beyond and run at the back four, potentially creating a goal-scoring opportunity.
In the diagram, look at Player A's body shape. There is currently no pressure on the ball, so the defence drop and hold, and make the pitch tight and compact. His body shape is forcing the Chelsea RM inwards, were the majority of the bodies are, thus ensuring a greater chance to knick the ball and counter attack.
Body shape is key when defending, and Napoli do this very well. They tell the player on the Ball where to go, which allows the other players to press and squeeze, which causes the attacker to either run out of room, lose the ball, or play back. Napoli want sides such as Chelsea to play down the flanks, and defend any crosses that may come. The only issue with this however, is that because Napoli are playing tight and compact, they do leave space out wide, and good sides such as Barcelona and Madrid will exploit this.
How can this be exploited?
Team's who are comfortable at keeping possession for long periods of time could hurt Napoli if they stay patient. There's potential to keep the ball, and move it from left to right, trying to move the players around, and when the opportunity arises, one switch ball could open up Napoli.
It's important to stress however, that teams must remain patient due to the way Napoli defend. They will concede a lot of Football, and teams may keep hold of the ball for long periods of time but become increasingly frustrated and anxious, playing into the hands of the Italians.
Moving the ball from left to right, until an opportunity arises for a switch may very well be the best way to play against a side extremely disciplined and organised.
Does the name Barcelona ring a bell?
This article was written at the end of 90 minutes in the second leg. The game wen't into extra time, therefore something's may not be fully up-to-date.
I've always been fascinated with systems of play, and how different teams, from different countries try to come up with new and improved way's to defend against the opposition. However Football is changing. Five years ago, teams didn't keep the ball for as long as they do now. Since the emergence of Barcelona and the style of Football they play, teams are trying to adapt defending wherever possible to deal with this new breed of attack.
However this article isn't based on the generics of defending, or a comparison of the different systems used in modern day Football. It's based on the system Napoli used in the Champions League games against Chelsea, and it looks at how and why they use this system, and also were it can wrong!
Men Behind The Ball
Napoli like to play a 3-4-2-1 formation, allowing the front 3 to attack when possible, as well as the Midfielders pushing on to create a potent attacking force. However when they defend, it's a very different philosophy. As soon as Chelsea received the ball, Napoli dropped towards there own goal, and the back 3 defended from the 18 yard box. This is known as compact defending, and is very much an Italian style. The Italians are best known for being some of the best tacticians in the world, and a compact defence is one of the first commands a coach will demand from his side.
Here's the reason's Napoli choose this method:
1) To stop any ball being played in-behind - Napoli aren't the quickest at the back, therefore stopping a ball in-behind is vital.
2) To make play compact - The less space in the middle, the less harm can be done. Force teams wide.
3) To stop players playing between the hole (defence & midfield) - Clever players play between the lines, and Napoli don't want Lampart or Drogba picking it up, and turning at the defence 25 yards out
.
4) To make Chelsea play in-front at all times - As long as the ball is in front and visible, Chelsea can't do much harm. Similar to point 1.
5) To apply pressure when possible, with a view to counter attacking quickly on the break. - Napoli, unlike Barcelona, don't hunt the ball down and pressurise, therefore they choose there moment's wisely, and when they do knick the ball, the attack quickly and effectively.
Here is a diagram of how Napoli line up when the ball is on the right wing, with no pressure on the ball.
The back 3 of Napoli are using the 18 yard box as a marker line, and playing very compact - basically making Chelsea play wide rather than central. The midfield 4 drop in to close the gap between defence and midfield, ensuring the no players beyond and run at the back four, potentially creating a goal-scoring opportunity.
In the diagram, look at Player A's body shape. There is currently no pressure on the ball, so the defence drop and hold, and make the pitch tight and compact. His body shape is forcing the Chelsea RM inwards, were the majority of the bodies are, thus ensuring a greater chance to knick the ball and counter attack.
Body shape is key when defending, and Napoli do this very well. They tell the player on the Ball where to go, which allows the other players to press and squeeze, which causes the attacker to either run out of room, lose the ball, or play back. Napoli want sides such as Chelsea to play down the flanks, and defend any crosses that may come. The only issue with this however, is that because Napoli are playing tight and compact, they do leave space out wide, and good sides such as Barcelona and Madrid will exploit this.
It's a very Italian mentality to defend with last ditch tackles
How can this be exploited?
Team's who are comfortable at keeping possession for long periods of time could hurt Napoli if they stay patient. There's potential to keep the ball, and move it from left to right, trying to move the players around, and when the opportunity arises, one switch ball could open up Napoli.
It's important to stress however, that teams must remain patient due to the way Napoli defend. They will concede a lot of Football, and teams may keep hold of the ball for long periods of time but become increasingly frustrated and anxious, playing into the hands of the Italians.
Moving the ball from left to right, until an opportunity arises for a switch may very well be the best way to play against a side extremely disciplined and organised.
Does the name Barcelona ring a bell?
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