Forget the 4-4-1-1
I've read in a few places that both Italy and France are playing a 4-4-1-1 formation today. While that may be a neat and tidy way to break down what these teams are doing in a newspaper, it's not what either team is really playing.
For those who aren't familiar with these numbers, a 4-4-1-1 means a team would play with four defenders, four midfielders, one withdrawn forward and one striker. But in doing this, France and Italy are really playing a 4-5-1, with four defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, two wide midfielders, an attacking midfielder (Zidane and Totti, respectively) and a striker.
Both teams are wary of surrendring the first goal and, consequently, will begin with two defensive midfielders. Italy will start Gattuso and Pirlo in these roles, while France will go with Viera and Makelele. They will form the back end of a traingle in the middle of the park. Totti (Italy) and Zidane (France) will play in front of them.
But Zidane and Totti are playing more as attacking midfielders than withdrawn forwards. After all, in a two forward system, one striker will most always play higher than the other (putting the other forward in a withdrawn position). In a 4-4-2, it doesn't matter which forward stretches the field while the other one checks to the ball at a given moment, their roles will likely switch throughout the game. But Zidane and Totti will rarely, if ever, be called upon to stretch the defense by running deep into enemy territory while Henry or Toni (strikers) checks back to receive the ball from the midfield. So, scratch the whole idea of Zidane and Totti as withdrawn "forwards." Having Viera and Makelele, or Gattuso behind them lets Totti and Zidane play as attack-minded midfielders. But the cautious style of these teams, which will not allow Zidane or Totti to stretch the field as a traditional forward would, tells you that they are more akin to midfielders than strikers.
Forget the 4-4-1-1, each team will begin in a 4-5-1 but, if Italy's game against Germany was any indication, the Italians will move to a more attacking formation in the second half. Look for the French to do the same.
For those who aren't familiar with these numbers, a 4-4-1-1 means a team would play with four defenders, four midfielders, one withdrawn forward and one striker. But in doing this, France and Italy are really playing a 4-5-1, with four defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, two wide midfielders, an attacking midfielder (Zidane and Totti, respectively) and a striker.
Both teams are wary of surrendring the first goal and, consequently, will begin with two defensive midfielders. Italy will start Gattuso and Pirlo in these roles, while France will go with Viera and Makelele. They will form the back end of a traingle in the middle of the park. Totti (Italy) and Zidane (France) will play in front of them.
But Zidane and Totti are playing more as attacking midfielders than withdrawn forwards. After all, in a two forward system, one striker will most always play higher than the other (putting the other forward in a withdrawn position). In a 4-4-2, it doesn't matter which forward stretches the field while the other one checks to the ball at a given moment, their roles will likely switch throughout the game. But Zidane and Totti will rarely, if ever, be called upon to stretch the defense by running deep into enemy territory while Henry or Toni (strikers) checks back to receive the ball from the midfield. So, scratch the whole idea of Zidane and Totti as withdrawn "forwards." Having Viera and Makelele, or Gattuso behind them lets Totti and Zidane play as attack-minded midfielders. But the cautious style of these teams, which will not allow Zidane or Totti to stretch the field as a traditional forward would, tells you that they are more akin to midfielders than strikers.
Forget the 4-4-1-1, each team will begin in a 4-5-1 but, if Italy's game against Germany was any indication, the Italians will move to a more attacking formation in the second half. Look for the French to do the same.
posted by jcanzo at 1:48 PM
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