Two Up Top: How Teams Are Reviving The Lost Magic Of Two Striker Systems

The Decline Of 2 Striker Partnerships In Football

The tactical evolution of football has seen a decrease in strike partnerships, particularly at the top level.

Over the years, we’ve been spoiled with iconic Premier League duos such as Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp plus many more.

Around the globe, we’ve seen pairs like Raúl and Fernando Morientes, Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, Pelé and Vava, Andriy Shevchenko and Pippo Inzaghi, to name but a few.

The art of a deadly strike partnership seems to be slowly dying at the top level due to the aforementioned tactical evolution of the game, but there are still a few teams deploying formations with two centre-forwards.

This tactical analysis will discuss different tactics and formations in the modern game that use two strikers. 

The analysis will dive into three key areas: how they function off the ball and in transitions, their interaction and link-up with the midfield unit, and how they pair together in build-up and attacking phases as a duo.

It is worth noting that the analysis includes teams that have utilised such formations as either their primary or secondary formation in the last calendar year. 

For example, Juventus have been deploying a 4-2-3-1 this season but frequently used a 3-5-2 last campaign; we have still included them in the analysis. 

Off The Ball & Role In Attacking Transitions

On some level, many teams with two forwards like to defend from the front. 

While having an extra forward can, in some formations, mean less of a midfield numerical presence, it allows your team to engage with the opposition early on in a number of ways.

Similarly, having two centre-forwards can be extremely beneficial in attacking transitions. 

You already have something of a presence in dangerous areas to begin with, giving the opponent more to react to.

Atlético Madrid are one of the most defensively disciplined teams in elite football.

Their long-time manager, Diego Simeone, along with his team, has garnered a reputation for using the defensive side of the game as the foundation of his tactics, often deploying a 3-5-2 or a 5-3-2 to make life difficult for the opponent.