Defence

I use this training unit to transfer to my players the principles of their defensive function individually, subgroup and as a team.

Part 1.

In a box 20x20m the red player has to drive the ball to the other side of the pitch and blue to intercept.

Key points:

• Delay
• Deny
• Direct
• Tackle

Part 2.

In a box 20x20m the 2 red players try to drive the ball to the other side with the blue trying to intercept.

Key points:

• Delay/press
• Cover/mark
• Isolate
• Direct
• Tackle
• Communicate

Part 3.

Problem solution. In half pitch plays 8 v 7 + 1 gk.Defenders and midfielders of the blue team are trying to stop red attacks. In case they win the ball or concede a goal, the game stops with comments from the coach and begins with a new attack of the blue from the center.

• Delay/press
• Cover/Screen/mark
• Distance between units/players
• Isolate
• Direct
• Tackle
• Communicate

If you choose to start your defense from the 3/4 of the pitch and press, then one possibility is for your opponents to manage to change the ball on your weak side.Figure1.

In such cases where while the opposing winger has closed inward to create pressure and create conditions at driving the ball to one end, the distance to cover is great and the time a lot, allowing the opponent to perform an attack with enough free space.

Perform the following exercise to give specific instructions for resolving this problem.

Throughout the pitch, form two teams of 10v10 with 2 gk.

Start by building a game of one team from defence (once from the right central defender and one from the left alternately). The defending team acts on the basis of Figure 1.

Let the central defender change the game to the opposite back. Then the winger of the side moves vertically back to fill the gap and the inner midfielder comes to cover the player driving the ball. In this way the winger does less meters and the time required to cover the weak side minimize. Figure2.

• Exercise 1 x 10 '- 20' with alternate defense / attack every 2-4 times each team.
• Allow after the game change to attack and deal with it energetically.
• Allow time for your teams to return to their placements at a slow pace

Modern football requires several times the use of aggressive defense and the pressure of the opponent on the attacking third. In this way, you stop the opponent's build up in its generation and you are very close to the opponent's goal in the event of a ball being retrieved, resulting in an increase in probabilities for a goal.

I use this exercise to train my football players to put pressure on the opponents and move them quickly to my team's defensive half part if the opponents manage to break it.

Using 3/4 of the field, I place one more goal post in half court and 3 goalkeepers. The blue team has 2 goalkeepers and defends both the first and the second goal post. The red is defending itself in its post and can achieve goal in both the first and the second post.

Exercise starts with a normal 10 v 10 small side game with 2 goalkeepers in half pitch and no limitation of contacts with the ball.

Players have clear instructions on the positions they are playing in the game. The defense of the blue team through its offensive players starts out of the box. The game evolves with the blue team trying to steal a ball and crate goal chances.

The red team can achieve goal in the first post but if it does not find suitable conditions with a pass in space can be in the second outbreak. Blue tries in the first instance to stop the attack of the opponents and to counter. But if the pressure breaks and the Reds try to move the ball forward, then come back quickly to stop the opponents in the second outbreak.

If the blue team recovers the ball into its defensive half-pitch then the game stops and starts again from the first half with the ball to the opponents.

Exercise intensity: 75-95% M.H.R.

Exercise Duration: 1-2 sets x 6'-10 '

Stop: 2 'between sets

• Effect of training on maintenance of actions for a long time.
• Effect of training on the above technical, tactical and mental elements.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær is now the first Manchester United manager, after Sir Alex Ferguson, to accomplish two wins against Manchester City. With a 70% possession, the recently Carabao Cup Champions originally appeared to be in full control; however, it was obvious that the men in red had more to say in controlling the game out of possession. The first goal for Manchester United came from a free kick, as Manchester City’s defense in the 30th minute was switched off as Fernandes played a cute and clever chip into the run of Manchester United striker; Martial. Martial needed only one touch to strike low. The second goal scored on the 96th minute from a distribution of Manchester City goalkeeper; Ederson that went straight to the feet of the Manchester United midfielder; McTominay who finished from a distance on his second touch.

The lineups were straight forward, with Manchester United in a 3-4-1-2 formation and a deep 5-2-3 defense formation. This allowed an extra player in the wide channels when Manchester City was able to get the ball to the pacey wingers.

Manchester City lined up in 4-3-3 formation and during possession the left back; Zinchenko was moving into the midfield area, to support the build-up play, whilst the defensive midfielder; Rodri was man-marked by the attacking midfielder of Manchester United; Bruno Fernandes. The striker; Aguero was dropping in the midfield to create space for the two-attacking midfielders; Gundogan and Bernando Silva. This resulted to receive the ball wide and high in the half-space. Additionally, the two wingers; Foden and Sterling stayed high and wide to stretch Manchester United’s defensive line.

Manchester City was intended on creating even numbers (2v2, 1v1), or numerical advantage (2v1, 3v2) in wide areas to take advantage of their creative and attacking players like Raheem Sterling. However, with Manchester United’s defensive setup it was difficult for them to do so. When the ball was passed to the Manchester City Winger; Sterling and supported by Gundogan, the Right wing back of Manchester United; Bisakka immediately closed him down and was supported by the extra center back; Lindelof and the defensive midfielder; Fred in case of Sterling was able to cut inside. Therefore, they formed defending situations of 3v2 in the wide areas and 3v1 in the penalty box. Manchester United’s forward; James deliberately stayed behind the play and wide enough, where he was not picked up by Zinchenko and not too high where Otamendi will be able to pick him up, preparing him for the counterattack.

Furthermore, sometimes Manchester United defended high in the wide areas with the defensive line (except the opposite wing back; Williams), midfielders; Fred, Matic, Fernandes and the striker; James shifting on the strong side of the pitch to minimise space for Manchester City, creating an 8v6 situation. Hence, James and Martial were available for quick counterattacks as they waited in the open space of the outside channels.

This defending tactical strategy, helped Manchester United to be organised in the defense and ready for counterattacks, created chances but they didn’t manage to score a goal from a counterattack.