Soccer Tactics 2014: What The World Cup Taught Us
By Ray Power
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About this ebook
World Cups throw up unique tactical variations. Countries and football cultures from around the globe converge, in one place, to battle it out for world soccer supremacy. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was no different, arguably throwing up tactical differences like never seen at a competition in modern times.
Contests are not just won by strong work ethics and technical brilliance, but by tactical discipline, fluidity, effective strategies, and (even) unique national traits.
Soccer Tactics 2014 analyses the intricacies of modern international systems, through the lens of matches in Brazil. Covering formations, game plans, key playing positions, and individuals who bring football tactics to life - the book offers analysis and insights for soccer coaches, football players, and fans the world over.
Whether it is Tiki-Taka, counter-attacking, or David defending heroically to defeat Goliath - this book sheds light on where football tactics currently stand... and where they are going.
Includes analysis of group matches, the knock out stages, and the final.
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Reviews for Soccer Tactics 2014
3 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent book, good analysis. Im waiting for the World Cup 2018 tactics.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very good , altho it doesnt say why,
Book preview
Soccer Tactics 2014 - Ray Power
Soccer Tactics 2014: What The World Cup Taught Us
Ray Power
[Smashwords Edition]
Download this eBook’s images at: www.bennionkearny.com/tactics
Published in 2014 by Bennion Kearny Limited.
Copyright © Bennion Kearny Ltd 2014
Ray Power has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the author of this book.
ISBN: 978-1-910515-04-4
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
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Bennion Kearny has endeavoured to provide trademark information about all the companies and products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, Bennion Kearny cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Published by Bennion Kearny Limited, 6 Woodside, Churnet View Road, Oakamoor, Staffordshire, ST10 3AE
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Table of Contents
Title Page
About This eBook: Read Me
Academy Soccer Coach
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Foreword
Introduction: Understanding Tactics
Evolution
The Numbers Game
Argentina – 4-4-2 Diamond / 4-3-3 / 4-1-2-1-2?
Absolute Statements
Using Statistics
Kuyt’s Average Positions v. Argentina (after 80 minutes)
Kuyt’s Actual Possessions v. Argentina (after 80 minutes)
‘Winner’s’ History
Onwards
1: Football Tactics and National Identity
Sticking Firm
Spain
Spain’s ‘False 9’ System, European Champions Final, 2012
Spain’s 4-2-3-1 v. The Netherlands, 2014
Choosing Winning Over Identity
Chile’s 3-4-3 v. Brazil
Defying Their Identity
The Netherlands
Louis van Gaal’s Favoured Attacking 4-3-3 (2-3-2-3)
Brazil
Pass, Take-on and Discipline Stats – Comparison of Final Four
Evolving Football Cultures
Midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng Possession Statistics
England’s 4-2-3-1 v. Italy 2014
England’s Traditional 4-4-2 v Germany 2010 World Cup
Summary
2: Systems, Players, and Opponents
The System, The Players, or The Opposition?
Fitting Players into The System
Belgium
Game Time (Minutes) of Belgium’s Attacking Players
Russia
England and France
The Rooney – Darmian Duel
The Players Choose the System
Argentina
Argentina’s Changeable Tactics
www.whoscored.com World Cup Best XI
The Netherlands
Netherlands 3-4-3 Line-Up v. Spain
Changing Tactics for Specific Opponents
Arsenal Philosophy
Algeria
Defend Deep v. Belgium
Belgium Average Positions v. Russia
All Out Attack v. South Korea
Clever and Combative v. Russia
Quality and Lack of Quality v. Germany
Manuel Neuer Touches Outside the Box v. Algeria
Summary
3: With Back Fours
Fluidity
Four-Two-Three-One – Popularity and Decline
Popularity
Decline
Brazil Out of Possession Shape v. Croatia
Uruguay’s Opening Goal v. England’s 4-2-3-1
Spot the Difference – Brazil v. Croatia
Brazil’s 4-2-3-1 v. Croatia 4-2-3-1
Four-Three-Three
From Russia with a Violin String
Russia’s 4-3-3 v. South Korea
France 4-3-3 v. Switzerland
Argentina’s Second-Half 4-3-3 v. Bosnia
Germany’s 4-3-3 v. Portugal
Four-Five-One
Greek Emperors
Greece 4-5-1 v. Japan
Four-Four-Two
The Colombian Box
Colombia’s 4-4-2 v. Uruguay
James Rodriguez’s Possession v. Uruguay
Summary
4: Back Threes and Fives
Italy’s 3-5-2 v. Uruguay
The Back Line
Threes, Fours and Fives
Uruguay’s 5-3-2 v. Italy
Out of Possession
Netherlands Changeable Defensive Line
In Possession
Wing-Backs
Wing-Backs Pose the Problem
Cameroon Struggling to Deal with Mexican Wing-Backs
Midfield
Argentina Central Midfield Three v. Bosnia
Italy Central Midfield Three in 3-5-2 v. Uruguay
Chile Central Midfield Three in 3-4-3 v. Spain
Costa Rica Central Midfield Four v. Netherlands
Forward Players
Summary
5: Players, Players, Players
Positions
Goalkeepers – Footballers Not Just Line-Keepers
2014 World Cup Highest Pass Accuracy
Positions Before Introduction of Specialist Deep-Lying Midfielder
Modern Formation Containing Deep-Lying Midfielder
Deep-Lying Midfielder Dropping Between Centre-Backs in Possession
Zone 14
Ángel Di María Individual Possessions v. Switzerland
Non-Goalscoring Strikers
Top 10 Goal Scorers at the 2014 World Cup
Germany’s False 9 System and the World Cup Winning Goal
‘Special’ Players
Winning Games
Messi’s Last Minute Winning Goal v. Iran
Saving Games
Top Ranking Goalkeepers – Number of Saves World Cup 2014
Summary
6: Possession-Based Football
With or Without the Ball?
Tiki-Taka
Tiki-Taka 2014
Spain v. The Netherlands Possession Statistics
The German Revolution
Plan A, B, C, and D
Germany Possession Statistics Per Game
Playing Out From the Back
France
France Playing Out From Lloris (Honduras)
France Playing Out From Lloris (Germany)
France Playing Out From Lloris (Switzerland)
Direct Football
Effective Direct Football
Direct from Belgium
Courtois Direct into Fellaini v. Russia
Summary
7: Attack, Attack, Attack!
Introducing Transitions
Goals, Goals, Goals
Number of Goals
Comparing Brazil 2014 and South Africa 2010Attacking Statistics
Timings of Goals
World Cup 2014 Time Breakdown of Goals Scored
Goals Win Games
Scoring First to Win
Touches and Penalty Area
Where The 2014 World Cup Goals Came From
Assists
Sports Path’s ‘Gold’ Zone
Assists Table at 2014 World Cup
Set-Pieces (Including Penalties)
World Cup 2014 Goals Scored From Set-Pieces
Corner-Kicks
Free-Kicks
Penalties
Penalties Scored in 2014 World Cup Shoot-Outs
Penalties Missed in 2014 World Cup Shoot-Outs
World Cup Shoot-Out Decisive Kicks 1982 – 2010 Scoring to Win / Missing Leads to Elimination
2014 World Cup Decisive Kicks
Counter-Attacking
Counter-Pressing
Areas of Pitch Where Ball is Regained Leading to a Goal at the 2014 World Cup
Counter-Attacking from Deep
Valbuena Counter-Attack Goal From Set-Piece v. Switzerland
Limitations to Counter-Attacking from Deep
Summary
8: A Case for the Defence
Principles of Play
Defending Principles of Play
In Possession Dispersal v. Out of Possession Compactness
Defensive Transitions
Germany 7 Brazil 1
Germany’s Fourth Goal v. Brazil
Javier Mascherano Defensive Total 2014 World Cup Statistics
High Pressing
Areas of Pitch Where Ball is Regained Leading to a Goal at the 2014 World Cup
Chile
Chile’s High Press Against Spain
Dangers of the High Press
Defending Deep
Iran
Iran’s Defensive 4-2-3-1 in 0 – 0 Draw v. Nigeria
Defending With Ten Men
Costa Rica – Greece
Costa Rica Defending With Ten Men v. Greece
When to Press and When to Drop
Spain’s Defending Solutions for van Persie Goal
Defending Set-Pieces
Corner-Kicks – Zonal v. Man-Marking
Switzerland Zonal Marking From Corners
Mixed-Marking
Russia Mixed-Marking v. South Korea
Argentina Defend Corner With Nine Players v. Bosnia
Summary
9: Conclusion
Systems
Players
Styles
Attack and Defend
Other Books from Bennion Kearny
About This eBook: Read Me
This eBook version of Soccer Tactics 2014 contains a number of images that are tough to see on small eReader screens. Therefore, all the images are available in a PDF at www.bennionkearny.com/tactics
Bennion Kearny endeavours to make eBook experiences as positive and pleasurable as possible. If you have any comments or questions or suggestions about this eBook, please email Info@BennionKearny.com
Academy Soccer Coach
Academy Soccer Coach is a company that provides digital solutions for coaches at every level of the game.
Our coaching software enables 1000's of coaches, clubs and professional organizations to plan and create their sessions remotely from anywhere in the world.
Academy Soccer Coach works with following the professional clubs and organizations:
Fulham FC, West Ham United FC, Stoke FC, Newcastle United FC, Crystal Palace FC, Burnley FC, The Portland Timbers, Sporting Kansas City, National Soccer Coaches Association of America, USSF Women's National Teams, The Irish Football Association, The Football Association of Ireland, The Professional Footballers Association, and many more.
For more information please visit www.academysoccercoach.com
On a personal note, we would like to wish Ray every success with his book and his continued growth and development as a coach.
The ASC Team
Acknowledgements
To Gracie and Georgia – Thank you for allowing me to take
over the TV, laptop, and iPad for an entire
month of the World Cup!
About the Author
Securing a BA Degree in 2004, Ray went on to qualify as a teacher. Having worked in the classroom environment, Ray took his teaching to the soccer field, working with players of various ages, backgrounds, and within several professional academies in England.
Ray is currently the Academy Manager at Central College and is a Coach Educator with the English Football Association.
Ray’s acclaimed first book Making The Ball Roll: A Complete Guide to Youth Football for the Aspiring Soccer Coach was published in May 2014.
Foreword
Ray Power has done it again! Writing a quality, in-depth, easy-to-read book about football. Something that looks simple to do but which definitely is not. Football is sometimes like a painting of Van Gogh. From a distance you think you have seen the complete picture but the closer you get - the more detail you discover.
Having been fortunate to have worked with Louis van Gaal at the Dutch KNVB and benefitting from his unbelievable attention to tactical detail, I was pleased to recognise a similar analytical attitude when reading this book. During my time at KNVB young Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben just came and played their game without bothering about tactics. Now, as established world class players, it is very different.
With tactics, a fundamental is whether the Coach asks his players to play the way that suits his philosophy or whether he looks for a philosophy that suits his players. It’s a big question. To change the style of play in a country that has a particular culture ingrained can be very counterproductive but can also lead to World Cup success as the Spanish and German have proven over the last 10 years.
Football will always be 11 v 11 wherever in the world we see a game but 1-4-4-2 is sometimes 1-4-4-1-1 and sometimes 1-4-3-1-2. 1-4-3-4 is sometimes 1-4-2-3-1 and sometimes 1-2-3-2-3.
To the fans, it sometimes doesn’t make any difference. All they want to see is a fast game with lots of opportunities in and around the box, and a positive result.
In reality tactics can make a significant difference on the pitch and for both coaches and players. Preparing your team and becoming aware of your opponents’ strategy and the ability to use the strengths of your players is key for success.
In Soccer Tactics 2014 - Ray has dissected the World Cup 2014 tactics into specific detailed chapters. It was one of the best World Cups ever, especially due to the diversity of tactics, styles and philosophies, but also thanks to players like James Rodrigues, Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Lionel Messi with their exceptional individual qualities. Such players could only excel due to the philosophy and the way the coach had set up his team tactics.
Ray has produced again a quality ‘must read’ book for all coaches interested in the modern game and the on-going development of football tactics. It is a great addition to his ‘Making The Ball Roll’ football handbook.
I wish you an enjoyable read!
Mark Wotte, Performance Director Scottish Football Association
Introduction: Understanding Tactics
As long as humanity exists something new will come along – otherwise football dies!
(Italian Football Coach and Tactician, Arrigo Sacchi)
For those of us who love football tactics, the landscape of constantly changing styles of play over recent years has left us marvelling. We have looked at the dominant Spain and wondered how they dared to play such an expansive, tiki-taka game. We saw Greece’s organised, defensive method achieve glory at the European Championships in 2004 (almost the polar opposite of the tactical approach of the Iberians). We have looked at how Brazil’s approach has changed, how Italy has risen and fallen internationally, and wondered whether African or Asian teams could really adopt a way that would see them go all the way in a World Cup.
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil gave the lovers of football tactics even more – and all within the space of 32 days! This tournament will become the backdrop for our analysis of modern football tactics.
Evolution
The only place to begin a book about soccer tactics is by using the above quote from Arrigo Sacchi. The central point in the Italian’s quote is about evolution. Every aspect of the world evolves as time passes, including