Nowadays, many sides use a 4-3-3 formation. However, to press the opposition, there do exist a lot of different strategies that we can use in football coaching. Whereas some sides remain in their initial 4-3-3 shape to press, other sides change their setup with a clear intention.
This tactical analysis deals with the different varieties of pressing when playing in a 4-3-3. We will give you an overview of the various shapes including their advantages and disadvantages and their consequences on the press itself.
4-3-3 with a focus on central areas
A common way of pressing in a 4-3-3 is the way how Liverpool press under Jürgen Klopp. Klopp’s side attempt to guide the opposition build-up into central areas of the pitch in order to regain possession with their midfield three.
Therefore, the wide forwards are supposed to defend high up the pitch. Since this creates space on the wing, the full-backs must be ready to move up the line to press as well. Ideally, though, the wingers use their cover-shadow to prevent any passes into wide areas to be played. The striker meanwhile presses the central defender as well and therewith only leaves a central passing lane towards the central midfielder open.
Once the opposition plays into the centre, the midfield three start to press and attempt to regain possession. One advantage of pressing the opposition central midfielders is that one can press from the blindside. Whereas wide players only need to perceive what is happening in an area 180 degrees around them, central players have a radius of 360 degrees full of options and therewith also possible pressing directions. Only a few players worldwide have a great pressing resistance in the centre. And if pressed well, even they struggle to keep possession.
Slightly different, the striker can also drop in order to prevent a pass towards the opposition pivot and therewith force a square pass or back pass to be played. In the case of the latter one, the space would resemble the one of a 4-3-1-2. Leipzig, for instance, utilised this press several times under manager Ralf Rangnick as displayed below.
