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My Game Model

Formation creates reference points. Principles determine behaviour. I don't treat one formation as an ideology. Structures change with players, opponents and match states. What stays constant are the principles below: how we want to behave in each moment of the game, and why.

In Possession

Create a stable structure, find the free player and progress with purpose.

First phase build-up
Build with numerical superiority against the first pressing line, usually one more player than they press with.
Progression
Progress through the free player, not the first available pass. Third-man combinations break pressure without forcing risk.
Width and depth
Pin the opposition back line with depth and stretch it with width so central lanes open.
Central occupation
Keep presence between the lines so the opponent has to choose between pressing and protecting.
Final-third behaviour
Attack the box with defined roles: near post, far post, cut-back zone and edge of the box.
In Possession: Third-man progression: the No. 8 drops to receive and sets back to the No. 6, who now faces forward with the No. 10 free between the lines.Own half, attacking left to right. 8 own players (filled). 4 opponents (outlined). 3 passes. 1 run. zone: Central overload.CENTRAL OVERLOAD145681023910711
  • Own team
  • Opponent
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Target zone
Third-man progression: the No. 8 drops to receive and sets back to the No. 6, who now faces forward with the No. 10 free between the lines.

Out of Possession

Control space first, then press with clear triggers and protect the centre.

Pressing philosophy
Press to win the ball in useful areas, not to chase it. Every press has a trigger, a direction and cover behind it.
Pressing triggers
Backward passes, poor first touches, receivers facing their own goal and passes into the full-back.
Defensive compactness
Short distances between lines so the opponent cannot receive between them facing forward.
Protect central spaces
Show play outside before pressing. Central access is what hurts us most.
Wide traps
Use the touchline as an extra defender. The far side shifts across so the trap has no exit.
Rest defence
When we press high, enough players stay behind the ball to defend the counter.
Out of Possession: Trigger: pass into the full-back. The winger presses on a curve, the striker cuts the return pass and the No. 8 locks the No. 6.Attacking half, attacking left to right. 5 own players (filled). 6 opponents (outlined). 3 runs. 2 pressing actions. zone: Wide trap.WIDE TRAP145623978210
  • Own team
  • Opponent
  • Run
  • Press
  • Target zone
Trigger: pass into the full-back. The winger presses on a curve, the striker cuts the return pass and the No. 8 locks the No. 6.

Attacking Transition

The first action after a regain decides whether the chance exists.

First forward action
Look forward first. If the forward pass is on, play it early before the opponent reorganises.
Space recognition
Attack the space the opponent left by committing players forward, usually behind their full-backs.
Supporting runs
Two runners beyond the ball and one option underneath for a secure pass.
Counterattack decisions
If the counter is not on, keep the ball and move into our possession structure.
Attacking Transition: Regain in midfield: early pass into the striker, wide runners attack the channels behind the advanced full-back.Full pitch, attacking left to right. 5 own players (filled). 4 opponents (outlined). 1 pass. 3 runs. zone: Space behind.SPACE BEHIND69711104582
  • Own team
  • Opponent
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Target zone
Regain in midfield: early pass into the striker, wide runners attack the channels behind the advanced full-back.

Defensive Transition

React immediately after losing the ball, then decide: win it back or delay.

Counterpress
The nearest players close the ball immediately while the opponent's first touch is still uncertain.
Delay
If we cannot win it, stop the forward pass and buy time for recovery.
Recovery runs
Recover towards the goal through central lanes, not towards the ball.
Protect central spaces
Rest defence closes the middle first; wide counters are slower and easier to defend.
Defensive Transition: Three players close the ball at once. The No. 6 and both centre-backs stay as rest defence and protect the centre.Attacking half, attacking left to right. 6 own players (filled). 3 opponents (outlined). 3 pressing actions. zone: Counterpress.COUNTERPRESS81074568611
  • Own team
  • Opponent
  • Press
  • Target zone
Three players close the ball at once. The No. 6 and both centre-backs stay as rest defence and protect the centre.

Set Pieces

Structured preparation that creates marginal advantages.

Attacking corners
Defined zones, timed runs and blocks prepared against the opponent's marking system.
Defensive corners
A clear zonal core with man-markers on the main aerial threats.
Free kicks
Simple routines the players trust, with a decoy option rehearsed.
Second phases
Players at the edge of the box ready for the clearance and the recycled delivery.
Set Pieces: In-swinging corner to the near-post zone, with a decoy run pulling the zonal marker and the No. 10 holding the edge for second balls.Final third, attacking left to right. 6 own players (filled). 6 opponents (outlined). 1 pass. 3 runs. zone: Target.TARGET74591061
  • Own team
  • Opponent
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Target zone
In-swinging corner to the near-post zone, with a decoy run pulling the zonal marker and the No. 10 holding the edge for second balls.

Player Roles

Goalkeeper
Part of the build-up, comfortable creating the extra player in the first phase.
Centre-backs
Carry into space when the first line jumps, defend forward and lead the rest defence.
Full-backs
Width or inside support depending on the winger's position. One stays balanced when the other attacks.
No. 6
Connects the first and second phase and screens the centre after losing the ball.
No. 8s
Receive between lines, arrive in the box and lead the counterpress.
Wide players
Pin the full-back, attack the far post and set the pressing trap.
Striker
Pins the centre-backs, links play and decides when the press starts.

Training Principles

  1. The problem appears often

    Sessions are designed so the match situation we are working on happens many times.

  2. Game-like constraints

    Direction, opponents and decisions in every exercise. Unopposed drills only when they serve a clear purpose.

  3. Clear references

    Players get simple cues they can recognise at match speed.

  4. Measure what we coach

    Each block has one or two indicators we can check afterwards.

See the sessions in the Training Ground

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