If you want to learn more about defensive football and teams that implement it, then this article is for you.
Modern day English football is characterised by fast paced, physical and attacking performance. Nevertheless, a Portuguese manager has had fortune returning to defensive formations. The swap to defensive football may not be the most eye-catching style, but it did get the backing of the Chelsea owner who supplied him a large transfer budget for a few years. Some supporters may crave a certain style of play when they go see a match, but most would take awards over style any time. The most successful years for the team were with the Portuguese manager and that is mainly down to the specific nature of his formations. The idea associated with his formations was to utilise the competitors attacks against them by counter attacking whenever the opposition players pressed forward.
There are so many ways to play football, in a defensive style sometimes being preferred by a few clubs, and this post will evaluate 3 of them. The primary benefit of using a defensive football strategy is of course that you will concede much less goals. While this may be apparent, it is much more difficult to carry out properly than one might initially think. By setting up to defend, you encourage the opponent to pin you back and you have very little control. Fundamentally in football, the less you have the ball, the more likely you are to concede, and much less likely you are to score. The style has been used successfully in the past however, with Italian teams being the most renowned for it. The new AC Milan owner may think about returning back to the famous side’s method that saw them win every prize there is back in the 90’s. This method was grounded in boasting a strong defence, some exceptional creative players in midfield and after that a super rapid and ruthless striker. The nature of defensive football formations meant the strikers have very few chances, therefore any that are created should be capitalised on.
About the most effective clubs currently that plays in a defensive way is the red and white club from the Spanish capital. The two Atletico Madrid owners have enjoyed the rewards from their club using a style that is solid at the back, with one of the most impressive defences in Europe. The club is dominated by defensive football players, and a goalkeeper with one of the top clean sheet records in Europe. This form has seen them win the league, prosper in cup competitions and likewise be competitive in the greatest European tournament, the Champions League. Some individuals think this way of playing football is basically anti-football, but the sides accomplishments suggests the opposite, and they have been praised by ex-footballers and pundits for the durability of the team and its work ethic.