Pressing variations within a three at the back system

Depending on the shape of a team, there are a number of different ways of pressing the opposition. Each shape has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is itself effective against other build-up systems, depending on their shape. Following on from a previous analysis focused on pressing variations with four at the back systems, in this tactical analysis, Ill look at the pressing variations in three at the back systems.

As this analysis goes on, you will probably notice that in terms of structure, there is a huge amount of overlapping and as a result, there arent actually too many pressing variations in terms of structure. The difference comes in the roles of specific players within these systems, and well explore this by looking at the tactics of various teams using a back three.

Whats the difference?

There is one subtle advantage to playing a back three, which is based around pressing in wide areas. Below I have compared a 4-3-3 press in a wide area, to a 3-4-3 press in a wide area.

Now, its very easy to point out that you have less numbers on the back line, therefore you can commit more players to the press. This is partly true. We can see below a 4-3-3 press. The key difference lies in the role of the full-back, who may have to press the opposition full-back if the ball the winger cannot. The full-back is conscious of leaving this space behind, and within a back four, its more difficult to shuffle across and cover this space, as there is less coverage unless the full-back tucks in a lot.

In a back three, the full-back/wing-back can press higher and more aggressively, as the coverage along the back line is greater and it is more natural for the centre-backs to occupy the central areas and tuck across. Therefore, the subtle advantage is that you can press slightly higher in wide areas by having more bodies in that midfield area, but the difference between the two really is quite minimal if you have a full-back who will tuck in very narrow, as Kyle Walker does for Manchester City. If you have full-backs who want to get ready to receive the ball in a wide area, dropping a player into a back three is useful to increase the coverage on the backline, as Liverpool do with Jordan Henderson at times.

3-4-3 with emphasis

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