WORLD CLASS COACHING
4-3-3 Attacking
By Luca Bertolini
Table of Contents
PART FOUR
4-3-3 History, Different Line Ups and Applications
4-3-3 History, Different Line Ups and Applications
1-4-3-3 system was not invented by the Dutch but their application created the "Total Football" thanks to Rinus Michels. It used the space through players movements even out of their positions and roles, and the pressing tactic to win the ball back. The results were the Ajax of the early 70's...
...And the orange Holland national team of 1974...
(...And in part of 1978).
Michels also took "Total Football" to Barcelona in the middle 70's, from which the Spanish developed their own style that culminated with Barcelona 2008/2012...
...And with 2010 World Cup win (2 European Cups 2008 / 2012 must be added).
Cruyyff and Van Gaal evolved the system further, arriving to a 3-4-3 variation during the 90s.
Nowadays best applications of the 1-4-3-3 have been showed by Sarri's Napoli in Italy, by Zidane's Real Madrid in Europe, winning 3 champions league in a row (2016/2018) and by Liverpool, during last 2018/2019 season.
The essence of the so called "Sarri-Ball" is a possession soccer with ball retention and quick verticality, as key factors of his 1-4-3-3 formation that is shaped of technically skilled players, who must be tactically disciplined until the final third, and who are then invited to show their individual qualities in the final third.
Napoli 1-4-3-3 was made of runs, rhythm, possession and dynamism. Ball retention inside the opposition half allowed to control the game and to be effective in transitions to attack.
Despite having his star on the wane, Reina seemed to be perfect for Napoli, thanks to his technical ability with the ball and his strong personality.
Albiol and Koulibaly were a complete CBs couple; the first one who is technically skilled and the second one with pace and power skills and being confident with the ball anyway.
The two full backs were very complementary with Ghoulam always trying to overlap and Hysaj more stationary to shape a line of 3 at the back.
Sarri has three specific roles in midfield usually: the deep-lying playmaker was Jorginho, who manages the tempo of the move, the aggressive box to box midfielder, Allan, and the attacking midfielder, who links attack and defense, Hamsik.
The front 3 were also very different in their roles and positions: Insigne usually ran inside and forward from the left, creating space for Ghoulam. Mertens become a successfull striker, after the sale of Higuain and the double Milik's injury. Callejon always played as classic winger down the right side.
Napoli was also very interesting for its fluidity and the changeable shape on the field, while building up from the back and the while playing inside the opposition half.
1-3-4-3 while building up...
...1-3-3-4 while attacking.
Real Madrid developed the possession phase building up from the back, but the ball circulation was not exasperated; width in the middle third and depth through vertical passes to find the 3 forwards were the main principles and the possession was preparatory for depth attacks.
With possession Real Madrid tried to make the field as wide as possible and Kroos was the midfielder who helped to build up the attacks, through his wide range of passing skills, even when Casemiro was playing as a CDM.
Marcelo and Carvajal played in very advanced positions giving to the forwards the chance to be free to attack as the full backs had to play in wide areas of the attacking half.
Modric and Kroos were the pivots of the attacking phase organization inside the opposition half, covering the space on the center-right and center-left due to their skills to play toward the opposition goal and, in case of a loss of possession, they were the first players in counter-pressing actions.
The main goal of possession was passing the ball from one side to the other to create gaps in the opposition defensive lines, overloading one side through short and quick passes, to free one fullback along the opposite half to exploit their skills in 1 v 1 duels and in crossing toward the box.
To create the best conditions for Ronaldo and Benzema inside the box was very important for Real’s finishing chances starting from the second post, when the outside player would have received the ball.
1-3-4-3 while building up
...1-2-3-5 while attacking
Liverpool’s version 2018/2019 has been basically similar to Real Madrid as final goal; the pure holding midfield sector, the rhythm and the repeated look for depth spaces have been the main difference that can be found.
The lack of creativity among the skills of the midfielders has been balanced by the tireless work of the fullbacks along the flanks.
Klopp is known all over the world as the best spokesperson of counter-pressing and negative transitions; but Liverpool of the last season seemed to feel very comfortable with the ball in building up and retaining possession. Sure, in a different and more direct way.
The first goal has been to free the one fullback, giving him the chance to dribble or to pass the ball toward the middle third.
The CF Firmino has been tasked with a support role in the middle third to help quick passing combinations and switches of side.
Salah and Manè have repeatedly attacked the depth behind the defense opposition line both if the potential pass could have come from the middle third or the flanks.
The midfield sector has had the role of support with the goal to win the second times of the ball and to prevent the opposition from counter attacking.
1-4-3-1-2 while building up...
...1-2-3-5 while attacking
