Last season, as Chelsea became the first team since Everton in 1962-63 to win the league playing with a back three, much of the focus was on how well David Luiz performed as a ballplaying centre-back with a defender either side of him, how effectively Cesar Azpilicueta shuffled across to close the space when Victor Moses went forward, and how N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic provided an effective shield.
None of that was untrue, but increasingly this season it has come to be seen that what was really important about that Chelsea side was what was going on at the other end of the pitch; that the solid defensive base was a means to an end.
With Eden Hazard on the left, and either Pedro or Willian on the right, what were effectively two insideforwards thrived because the 3-4-2-1 set-up had them occupying pockets that lay outside the natural marking structure of an opponent: in that awkward zone outside and in front of the central defenders, inside the full-backs and outside the holding midfielder(s). Against a back three, they had the freedom to pullwide and attack the space behind the wing-backs.
The system was slightly restrictive in that the onus of creativity essentially lay on two players, but it was a neat resolution to the defensive need to maintain structure while avoiding the regimentation that can make attacks predictable.
This story is from the May 2018 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2018 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team