DJ.CFC 🇵🇭

Fabian Hürzeler and Brighton with a smart solution to overcome Man City's press. Simple execution, detailed preparation. Man City have been pressing on the right side using a fullback-to-fullback jump, with the winger stepping out to the centre-back, allowing the three midfielders to take up man-oriented positions inside. As you can see in the picture, Matheus Nunes, Man City's right-back, is positioned in an intermediate position. Maresca's intention is essentially to press aggressively in a man-to-man structure while remaining slightly more conservative with the positioning of his fullback. This allows Matheus Nunes to drop quickly and provide the +1 at the back if the opposition play a long ball, for example. At the same time, he remains close enough to the opposition's left-back to jump out and press if the ball is played into the wide area, to then yes go into a full man-to-man press. Obviously, Fabian Hürzeler was aware of this and started asking his left-back to move inside. By doing so, he essentially neutralised the pressing idea. Matheus Nunes now has two options: either follow his direct opponent inside or drop back into the defensive line. There is no longer any room for an intermediate position. This is also made possible by the concept of "isolated deep build-up" that I have discussed many times. Matheus Nunes chose not to follow his opponent, leaving Brighton with a very simple 4v2 to solve in large spaces, as the remaining Brighton players are positioned higher up the pitch, dragging their markers away from the deep build-up area. It's fascinating to see how some coaches keep trying to press without fully committing to a man-to-man structure, looking to remain more conservative and protect themselves a bit more. But the level of detail in modern build-up solutions and coaching is constantly challenging these compromises, forcing teams to either commit fully to the press or drop off.