Having seen about how effective the inverted full backs can be for an attacking team we'll now have a look at a possible system to counter the same. When a team employs wing backs into midfield numerical superiority can be achieved in every region of the pitch. So it is essential that in order to counter their benefits the defensive team should work as a unit with the forwards also putting in their shift in defense.
The 4-3-3 (With a false-9)
The 4-3-3 is probably the most stable set-up to face any system. Now, off the three operating central midfielders, a CDM sits back as cover for the backline. This position is crucial in the sense that, should the opposition choose to play its wingers very wide attracting the full backs towards them it leaves the center-backs exposed in the middle.
The other two midfielders will have to take up defensive roles in turns to team up with the holding midfielder in order to protect the half spaces that the two opposition attacking midfielders would occupy.
With the inverted full backs tracking back we can further exploit this situation by deploying a false 9 in this half space. This would give control of the all important Zone-14(Coming Soon: Different zones on a football pitch). When possession is won long balls can be launched to the wings with dumps to the false-9 and the attacking midfielder.
Should the inverted backs still choose to advance into midfield we'll have the other attacking midfielder along with the false-9 who has to drop deep to track them down. And should the fullbacks go out on the wing like they traditionally do, the wingers should double up with their defensive duties.
Its fair to say that this system is a defensive set-up with 4 dedicated attackers and 6 people on defensive duties. Although its a very pragmatic approach it seems like an ideal way to control the effect of the inverted fullbacks.
The 4-3-3 (With a false-9)
The 4-3-3 is probably the most stable set-up to face any system. Now, off the three operating central midfielders, a CDM sits back as cover for the backline. This position is crucial in the sense that, should the opposition choose to play its wingers very wide attracting the full backs towards them it leaves the center-backs exposed in the middle.
The other two midfielders will have to take up defensive roles in turns to team up with the holding midfielder in order to protect the half spaces that the two opposition attacking midfielders would occupy.
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This would leave us with 1v1 on both wings and a 2v1 in the box and with protection in half-spaces. Having addressed the possible overloads in the box and on the wings, the next issue is the fullbacks advancing into midfield. Off the three forwards employed, the wingers should be in extreme wide areas which will keep the fullbacks in check. They would constantly be under pressure to track back their respective wingers. It would help if the wingers are pacy which means the opposition full backs will have to vacate their half-spaces to go into their traditional positions.
With the inverted full backs tracking back we can further exploit this situation by deploying a false 9 in this half space. This would give control of the all important Zone-14(Coming Soon: Different zones on a football pitch). When possession is won long balls can be launched to the wings with dumps to the false-9 and the attacking midfielder.
Should the inverted backs still choose to advance into midfield we'll have the other attacking midfielder along with the false-9 who has to drop deep to track them down. And should the fullbacks go out on the wing like they traditionally do, the wingers should double up with their defensive duties.
Its fair to say that this system is a defensive set-up with 4 dedicated attackers and 6 people on defensive duties. Although its a very pragmatic approach it seems like an ideal way to control the effect of the inverted fullbacks.
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