Milan's Triumph
As simple as football is perceived to be, it has always been a game of tactics. Whether it's Cruyff's 3-4-3 or Wenger's 4-4-2, football keeps evolving. One such formation that gained popularity in the early 2000s was the 4-3-2-1.
It is a system that involves a back 4 split into two central defenders and two fullbacks. The 3 midfielders are classed as one defensive midfielder and two offensive ones. In front of them, there are two attacking midfielders and a striker ahead.
How it works?
As the setup is designed in such a way that it offers no natural width to the side, the fullbacks are expected to bombard the flanks during attacking transitions throughout the game.
The midfielders covering the back 4 have to be diligent defensively and link up play with the two attacking midfielders who are granted freedom on the pitch and can work with the striker.
On field demands:
The fullbacks need to be industrious enough to cater to the demands of this arrangement.
Because of the narrow setup, most of the attack goes down the middle of the pitch, so the midfielders need to be good on the ball technically as it entails quick passes and quick movement.
Not only that, one or two of the 3 man midfield should also be capable of playing the box to box role primarily when the attacking midfielders are hugging the flanks.
The striker should be good with his back to goal and drop in midfield to link up play as he can remain isolated during certain phases of the game.
Milan played the 4-3-2-1 throughout the season.
What more could you ask if you have the defensive wall of Nesta and Maldini at the back? Both great in the air, precise tacklers, Italy's finest. They always gave Jankulovski and Cafu(who to this day is still regarded as the greatest full back in history), the license to stride forward during attacks. In midfield, the intelligence and shuttling of Massimo Ambrosini and the ball winning beast Gennaro Gattuso's presence laid the foundation for Andrea Pirlo to unleash his magic on the football pitch.
A technically gifted player by trade, Pirlo was a beautiful distributer of the ball and the spine of the midfield. With Ambrosini and Gattuso on either side of him, his defensive load was lessened and he focused on coupling the midfield and attack through his exceptional range of passing.
In front, Clarence Seedorf who was an excellent, hardworking and versatile player took various offensive positions by switching between the wings and the 'number 10' role and was a menace for the opposition.
His combination with Kaka who was considered as one of the best players of his generation flourished marvellously and with veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi 's poaching abilities, Milan scored some incredible goals that campaign. Also, the Italian side's Brazilian shot-stopper Dida gave assurance in goal like none other.
It wasn't just about the stability of the formation, it was also how Ancelotti's soldiers seamlessly integrated themselves in a seemingly defensive system and became a dangerous attacking threat in Europe.
And there's more....
Because of his performances in that season, Kaka also won the 2007 Ballon d'Or slaying Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the process.
Something tells me that Ronaldo isn't happy...
by Omkar Rege
It is a system that involves a back 4 split into two central defenders and two fullbacks. The 3 midfielders are classed as one defensive midfielder and two offensive ones. In front of them, there are two attacking midfielders and a striker ahead.
How it works?
As the setup is designed in such a way that it offers no natural width to the side, the fullbacks are expected to bombard the flanks during attacking transitions throughout the game.
The midfielders covering the back 4 have to be diligent defensively and link up play with the two attacking midfielders who are granted freedom on the pitch and can work with the striker.
On field demands:
The fullbacks need to be industrious enough to cater to the demands of this arrangement.
Because of the narrow setup, most of the attack goes down the middle of the pitch, so the midfielders need to be good on the ball technically as it entails quick passes and quick movement.
Not only that, one or two of the 3 man midfield should also be capable of playing the box to box role primarily when the attacking midfielders are hugging the flanks.
The striker should be good with his back to goal and drop in midfield to link up play as he can remain isolated during certain phases of the game.
This formation was prominently used in England by Terry Venables and Christian Gross during their managerial stint with Tottenham Hotspur. The former also used this tactic while in charge of the England national team in the mid 90s. It became glorified in 1998 when France won the FIFA world cup with then France manager Aimé Étienne Jacquet employing the 4-3-2-1 with the national team in order to unfurl Zidane's prowess.
But for a long time it truly reached its peak under Carlo Ancelotti and his A.C. Milan side. Especially during the 2006-2007 campaign when the Rossoneri rose to the pinnacle of European football by winning the Champions league beating Liverpool 2-1 in Athens thereby avenging their loss in the final two years ago against the same opponents.
Later referred to as 'Ancelotti's Christmas tree',
What more could you ask if you have the defensive wall of Nesta and Maldini at the back? Both great in the air, precise tacklers, Italy's finest. They always gave Jankulovski and Cafu(who to this day is still regarded as the greatest full back in history), the license to stride forward during attacks. In midfield, the intelligence and shuttling of Massimo Ambrosini and the ball winning beast Gennaro Gattuso's presence laid the foundation for Andrea Pirlo to unleash his magic on the football pitch.
A technically gifted player by trade, Pirlo was a beautiful distributer of the ball and the spine of the midfield. With Ambrosini and Gattuso on either side of him, his defensive load was lessened and he focused on coupling the midfield and attack through his exceptional range of passing.
In front, Clarence Seedorf who was an excellent, hardworking and versatile player took various offensive positions by switching between the wings and the 'number 10' role and was a menace for the opposition.
His combination with Kaka who was considered as one of the best players of his generation flourished marvellously and with veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi 's poaching abilities, Milan scored some incredible goals that campaign. Also, the Italian side's Brazilian shot-stopper Dida gave assurance in goal like none other.
It wasn't just about the stability of the formation, it was also how Ancelotti's soldiers seamlessly integrated themselves in a seemingly defensive system and became a dangerous attacking threat in Europe.
And there's more....
Because of his performances in that season, Kaka also won the 2007 Ballon d'Or slaying Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the process.
by Omkar Rege
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