False nines? 4-4-2? The tactical trends defining World Cup so far

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The return of the 4-4-2, false nines, and set-pieces – the World Cup has already thrown up both familiar and new tactical ideas. Football tactics correspondentPublished15 minutes agoThe beauty of the World Cup is the variety of unique styles and players competing against each other on the biggest stage. Sometimes this poses unusual tactical challenges that require on-the-fly solutions. Alternatively, with the popularity and influence of the Premier League and Champions League, we also see nations borrow ideas from club football when the World Cup comes around every four years. Twelve games in and common patterns, trends and match-ups are already emerging. Here are five that have stood out so far. World Cup hydration breaks - who are the winners and losers? Published4 hours agoWirtz, Isak & Diomande shine at World Cup as Iraola plots Liverpool revival Published9 hours ago1. The return of 4-4-2Football tactics are continually being developed and analysed in an increasingly detailed manner so it is interesting, and fun, to see the 4-4-2 become so commonly used at this World Cup. Premier League football of the early 2000s was typified by the 4-4-2 formation. Spaces between players were bigger with fewer low blocks and less drilled high presses seen. This led to more time and space for attackers to express themselves. Teams, perhaps due to conditions and lack of coaching time, have reverted to using a 4-4-2 that looks similar, in part explaining why games feel more open. Many teams are opting for such a shape out of possession including Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Brazil, Haiti, Scotland and Japan, at times. In their 4-4-2, teams are picking moments in which to step up and press but for large parts of the game are choosing instead to defend in a mid-block – rather than defending deep or pressing high consistently. If international sides opt to simply sit in and defend deep, they are ultimately conceding a level of control on the game. Especially against bigger nations, allowing them long spells of attacking possession around your box essentially gives them the sort of game they would want to play. Pressing intensely all game becomes less effective given the gruelling heat and humidity but in moments has provided fruitful for teams such as Mexico, Morocco and Germany, who have all scored soon after forcing an opposition turnover. This then leaves teams defending in the middle of the pitch in a 4-4-2 shape. The formation provides cover in a wide and balanced manner but it does leave spaces between the lines that teams have managed to exploit well via our next trend. Image caption, Ecuador's 4-4-2 mid-low block against Ivory Coast. It provides broad cover across the pitch but there are spaces between the midfield and defensive lines In a 4-4-2 shape, the defending side are well placed to stop forward and sideways movements because of their two flat lines of four. As a result, attacking diagonally is a trend we have seen more of this tournament. Playing at these angles has helped teams move from wide positions into more dangerous central positions playing behind the midfield. For teams orientated in a flat line, covering these angles is more difficult. Let's take Morocco's goal against Brazil as an example. Noussair Mazraoui was able to find his attacking midfielder with a diagonal pass from out to in – from a wide area into more central area - something he had done well numerous times before the goal. Brazil, who spent most of the game in a 4-2-4 shape, fielded a midfield duo of Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in the first half who were often pulled towards the ball as their side looked to press Morocco. This opened up space on the far-side. Brazil's two-man midfield lacked the horizontal coverage a midfield three might have. Image caption, In the build-up to Morocco's goal, Brazil's midfield two highlighted here were drawn to the ball-side of the pitch as they attempted to press. The movement of striker Ismael Saibari also pulled Casemiro out of position and the far-side of midfield was exposed. Mazraoui found this space well throughout the game A different method of using diagonal play to attack was witnessed in Ecuador's loss to Ivory Coast. Ecuador created good chances against Ivory Coast's 4-4-2 by attacking diagonally from in-to-out - movement of a player from the central areas into wide areas. Piero Hincapie shifted into midfield as a holding midfielder with Pedro Vite rotated into left back. One of Ivory Coast's central midfielders now picked up Hincapie, who kept making runs from central midfield to the left wing. This dragged Ivory Coast's central players wide and opened up space for crosses and cut-backs. Ancelotti was seen encouraging the same pattern down Brazil's left with Vinicius Jr out wide and Matheus Cunha making the in-to-out run. Image caption, Ivory Coast hold their 4-4-2 shape. Ecuador left-back Piero Hincapie inverts int

False nines? 4-4-2? The tactical trends defining World Cup so far

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