Sometimes the Simplest Solution is the Best Solution.

Why these simple tactics are making a comeback in modern football.

The Problem

As positional play became more prevalent across Europe, teams responded by developing compact mid-blocks and hybrid pressing systems. These out of possession systems were designed to deny central ball progression, funnel play into wide areas, and using triggers, force teams on the ball to constantly play backwards to find a spare man. As a result positional play sides have struggled to progress the ball with the same level of control and stability they once had. Slow side-to-side possession of the ball often becomes the norm throughout matches and positional play spacing found itself too rigid to break through these narrow blocks. Interestingly, the solutions to these problems are quite simple and more and more teams have started to find success this season against them, almost unintentionally, without needing to abandon their overall goals in possession.

Solution 1: Dropping midfielders

Dropping midfielders into the first line of buildup is an effective way to disrupt these narrow hybrid presses. It stretches the pressing team’s shape and creates overloads in deeper areas. By moving a central midfielder alongside or between the centre backs the buildup team can add an extra player to the first line. More importantly it creates conflict for the pressing team, forcing them to either break their compact structure to press higher on this extra player in the first line, potentially exposing space between the lines, or stay narrow and compact which concedes time and space to this extra player on the ball. This advantage is also gained when midfielders position themselves wide outside the opposition’s block. Besides the conflict generated for pressing teams, having a midfielder with superior technical quality compared to centre-backs drop into the backline allows for higher quality passing from deep. This increases your chance of progressing the ball effectively and enables attacking players to receive it in more advantageous positions higher up the pitch.

Kimmich drops back into the backline to the right of Upamecano, allowing Laimer to go further forward to become a free-man. Not many centre-backs can play that sort of pass with their weak foot.

Here’s an example of pulling wide outside the block by Curtis Jones to not only generate space but an opportunity to combine and be dynamic.

Solution 2: Fullbacks high and wide

Positioning fullbacks high and wide is another effective method for breaking down these hybrid narrow presses and progressing the ball against mid-blocks. These structures are designed to control central areas and funnel play into tight spaces but when fullbacks push high they pin the opposition wingers back or force the pressing side’s midfielders to shift wide, either of which disrupts their shape. When fullbacks are positioned high and wide their primary function is often less about engaging in 1v1 duels like traditional wingers and more about acting as place holders to facilitate central progression. Their wide positioning stretches the defensive block forcing the opposition to account for the full width of the pitch and creating gaps between players in the midfield line or backline. This manipulation opens passing lanes through the middle or into the half-spaces where players can receive and pose a threat. Rather than being the end point of the attack the high fullbacks serve to unbalance the opposition’s shape making it easier to penetrate in behind or centrally while still offering an outlet if switches of play or wide combinations are required.

Watch as Stuttgart’s LB gets into a high and wide position leaving Frimpong with a lot to think about.

Here is a splendid clip of Barcelona’s LB helping stretch Real madrid’s block with Frenkie De Jong but also doing well to arrive into space created to deliver a good cross.

Pep answering a question on why he hasn’t been using Doku (a traditional winger) more this season.

Solution 3:Wingers inverting into half spaces

When a winger tucks inside instead of simply holding their width it introduces dynamic movement that offers significant value against organized defensive structures. While staying wide can stretch the pitch it often leaves the winger isolated and easy to mark, particularly if the fullback behind them doesn’t overlap aggressively. In contrast, tucking inside creates constant positional dilemmas for the defense, it draws players in the backline out of shape, generates overloads in central areas, and creates space for advancing fullbacks to exploit. This inside movement also allows the winger to receive in more threatening zones between the lines and supports quicker combination play. What’s most important here is that dynamic movement forces defenses to adjust in real time, increasing your chances of pulling apart compact blocks whereas static wide positioning can be predictable and easier to contain.

A pressing situation City have managed a thousand times in the past is now difficult to handle due to Brighton’s movement.

However, here is Manchester City creating a chance out of nothing due to the right wingers half space position and the Crystal Palace CB’s dilemma.

The Bigger Picture

These three solutions are re-emerging in modern football as a response to the growing use of compact, narrow pressing systems and mid-blocks around Europe. As defensive structures become more organized and aggressive, the old model of positional play, where the ball moves more than the players, often lacks the dynamism needed to disrupt well drilled teams out of possession. Today the emphasis has shifted toward fluid movement that looks to stretch defensive blocks both vertically and horizontally, and forcing their players to make constant readjustments in their defensive shape. In an era where many teams defend with hybrid systems, the usual tactics used to create time and space has become a hinderance for teams in possession and only more ball speed and dynamic movement is proving effective at opening up space and progressing play through these compact setups. Rather than occupying as much of the pitch as possible all at once, teams should focus more on what sort of behaviors their players can apply to generate success, one pass at a time.

Hey look Pep, your team is doing it!