1.0MRKT Insights - Football Consultancy Serviceshttps://mrktinsights.comrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="SGeZYU5nqd"><a href="https://mrktinsights.com/index.php/2020/06/26/asymmetry-in-football/">Asymmetry in football</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://mrktinsights.com/index.php/2020/06/26/asymmetry-in-football/embed/#?secret=SGeZYU5nqd" width="600" height="338" title="“Asymmetry in football” — MRKT Insights - Football Consultancy Services" data-secret="SGeZYU5nqd" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /** * WordPress inline HTML embed * * @since 4.4.0 * @output wp-includes/js/wp-embed.js * * Single line comments should not be used since they will break * the script when inlined in get_post_embed_html(), specifically * when the comments are not stripped out due to SCRIPT_DEBUG * being turned on. */ (function ( window, document ) { 'use strict'; /* Abort for ancient browsers. */ if ( ! document.querySelector || ! window.addEventListener || typeof URL === 'undefined' ) { return; } /** @namespace wp */ window.wp = window.wp || {}; /* Abort if script was already executed. */ if ( !! window.wp.receiveEmbedMessage ) { return; } /** * Receive embed message. * * @param {MessageEvent} e */ window.wp.receiveEmbedMessage = function( e ) { var data = e.data; /* Verify shape of message. */ if ( ! 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When the ready message is received by the post embed window, the * window will then (re-)send the height message right away. */ source.contentWindow.postMessage( { message: 'ready', secret: secret }, '*' ); } } window.addEventListener( 'message', window.wp.receiveEmbedMessage, false ); document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', onLoad, false ); })( window, document ); //# sourceURL=https://mrktinsights.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.js /* ]]> */ </script> https://mrktinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screenshot-2020-06-26-at-13.00.17.png452312The Use of Asymmetrical and Atypical systems in Football.  Football systems tend to come in many shapes and sizes. Usually, most systems these days have been implemented or tried out in one form or another. However, occasionally we will see some systems and formations that are uncommon. Today’s analysis will specifically focus on asymmetrical and atypical systems in football.  Firstly, Asymmetrical formations refer to formations which have parts and aspects, such as their shape, size and arrangement; that are not equal or equivalent.  Asymmetrical formations would fall under the more overarching umbrella of atypical football systems. These refer to systems of organization which are unusual or different from others of a similar type. Here an example of symmetrical differences. We see here the symmetrical and typical 4-3-3 shape that Holland started the game with on the left. On the right is the resulting asymmetrical shape that eventually took place in the game.  But Why There are many advantages to taking up an asymmetrical and/or atypical shape in football. In this example, Holland can create overloads on a specific side of the pitch. Overloads may be used to target one specific weakness of the opposition.  In this shape for example, Holland may have been attempting a variety of different schemes. The high positioning of Dumfries can pin back Schulz for one. They may also have judged Schulz to be less effective defensively than Kehrer and this married well with Dumfries attacking ability. Either way, the asymmetrical overload on the right side was the main point of attack for Holland during the match.  Points of attack for Holland during the Germany game.  Another key advantage of these systems is that it allows a coach to gain the best out of the specific abilities’ held by each player in his team. Often a coach will not have the exact player types to carry out a perfectly symmetrical formation. In the example of Holland above, Blind is more suited to playing as an extra centre back, whilst Dumfries is excellent offensively as a wing back. Therefore it can make sense to organize in such a way to gain the best use of the differing attributes of each player.  Pep the benchmark Pep Guardiola would be one of the finest executors of atypical strategies, using it throughout his time as a manager. Pep is seen as the prime example of a manager who sticks to his principles. However, he is actually quite dynamic in the way he sets his teams up.  His tactical set ups are based on his own personnel and the opposition. They are tweaked constantly to gain the best out of his current crop of players. Furthermore, he is constantly looking to improve weaknesses. Pep often uses asymmetrical and atypical formations or set ups to accentuate strengths and improve his sides weaknesses. At times, he will completely morph structures, whilst holding symmetry. For example, when City change from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 in game through the rotation of players. Other times, he occasionally employs lopsided formations.  Pep in Barcelona  Pep quickly set about transforming Barcelona when he first arrived. Off went Ronaldinho and Deco to name a few. Pep placed his faith in a diminutive Argentinian who you may have heard of, Lionel Messi. He set up Barcelona to allow Messi to flourish. Pep did this in a number of ways. The Spanish manager used an atypical 4-3-3 shape in order to disrupt the opposition and create space for Messi to exploit. The famous 2-6 away win at the Bernabeu was the birth place of the false nine system for Barcelona.  It involved employing Messi as a false nine, whereby he would drop into the midfield space. He would be unmarked as Eto’o and Henry would threaten with runs in behind if the centre backs stepped up with Messi.  Pep continued with many iterations of atypical structures throughout his time at Barcelona. Here we could see Dani Alves playing as a winger with Abidal taking up more of a centre back role. This allowed for overloads on the right hand side of the pitch. Photos courtesy of zonalmarking.net When Sanchez and Fabregas joined Barcelona, again Pep re-arranged his players to get the best out of them. This trend has continued throughout Pep Guardiola’s career.  Pep in Bayern Munich  With Bayern, he inverted the full backs in order to better maintain possession. This was in response to him realizing that Bayern weren’t as capable as Barcelona in certain areas. Predominantly in ball circulation and one on one defending in counter press situations. By bringing the full backs inside and inverting them, it gave Bayern closer and safer options on the ball. Furthermore, it meant they were closer to press in transition.  Here we can see one such example. Bernat is playing higher as a winger and Rafinha playing more as an inverted wingback.  Pep at City Then finally with City, we have seen many variations of the classic 4-3-3. Pep will often use inverted full backs or centre backs in conjunction with an out and out winger. The inner positioning of Walker in this example, is combined with Sterling on the right wing. It creates a better angled pass out to the winger. Pep would use this in games where he wanted to stretch the opposition with width.  On the other side, this would be achieved with varying combinations.  It would vary with Sane and an inside fullback such as Delph/Zinchenko or Laporte as a false full back if you will. Here Walker is tasked as an inverted full back Pep recognized City struggled to break down opponents who sat in a deep block. By creating width through this tactical innovation, he improved one of City’s inherent weaknesses.  In the Carabao Cup Final, Danilo played more as a centre back with Walker playing as a winger in possession.  It allowed City to create a box midfield.  These type of structure are mainly spoken about in regards to ball possession, but it