Introduction
In this article, we will analyze different ideas that are useful when attacking against a team with an organized defense arranged in a 1-5-3-2 formation. We will take Germany national team as an example, which is playing some outstanding in the EURO 2024, finding spaces and prioritizing certain offensive strategies when playing against teams that defend in this system. It’s worth noting that the German team is one of the main contenders to win the European title, thanks to its great tactical and offensive potential.
3VS2 Build-Up and Movements in Depth
To attack this defensive system, it’s important to start with the idea of having an additional offensive player in the first line. Typically, a holding midfielder, like Toni Kroos in Germany, positions himself at the level of the center-backs to create a numerical superiority of three against two and facilitate the build-upl by finding the free player who can then advance through passing or dribbling.
In terms of depth, the center forward – Havertz in this case – stretches the opposing defensive line to the maximum, thus creating spaces between the defenders’ line and midfielders. Full-backs also play a crucial role by providing depth and opening interior spaces for the wingers. From this structure, two clear priorities are observed when attacking this defensive system.
numerical advantage 3vs2
It's important to create numerical advantage against the opposing double striker. Toni Kroos (HM) drops back to provide a 3vs2 advantage.
Screenshot
It's important to create threats to the defensive line to stretch their block. We can see Havertz (ST) ensuring the depth with his movements.
Occupy the Pockets
The first priority is to have two of the three players in the line of 3 (attacking midfielder and wingers) who are ready to receive the ball in the gaps between the opposing midfielders – pockets – when the player in possession has a clear advantage to make the pass. At that moment, the forward stretches the defensive line so the players who are in the pockets can receive the ball with an advantage and attack quickly.
Pockets’ occypation
The advanced midfielder (Gündogan) and 2 wingers (Musiala and Wirtz) are occupying the pockets - gaps between the opposing midfielders.
Side-to-Side Ball Circulation and Attack the Box
As a second priority, if the opposing midfielders close those gaps well, the wingers try to receive the ball on the sides of the midfielders. This way, they can receive it with an advantage and attack the defensive line. In this situation, if a defender jumps to mark the winger, the forward takes advantage of the free space and the priority shifts to playing in-depth with the forward. Also, this situation with the winger receiving in open space can create an advantage for the full-back to deliver a cross into the box and create clear scoring opportunities.
To generate these advantages, the German team uses the strategy of circulating the ball from side to side. This forces the opposing defensive block to move from one side of the field to the other, thus breaking the intervals between players and creating free spaces that can be exploited.
Side to side strategy
When the defensive block is very narrow, it's important to use side-to-side ball circulation strategy to create advantage next to the midfielders' line.
Cross into the penalty area
After creating an advantage, the LB (Mittelstand) has the time and space to execute a good cross into the penalty area. Multiple players occupy the box, to increase the chances of scoring.
Conclusion
In summary, when attacking against a team that defend in a 1-5-3-2 system, it is important to generate advantage in our first line. If we play with a back-four system, we will need to drag one of our holding midfielders or another player to generate a 3vs2. Once we obtain the first advantage, it is important to position players in the pockets, behind the midfielders line. If that is not possible because the opposing team defends very narrow, it’s important that the team can circulate the ball fast from side-to-side and find advantage next to the line of three midfielders, to then be very vertical and attack the box directly or by crossing the ball from the flanks.
The German national team possesses enormous offensive potential and is one of the best teams in the Euro. They have shown great collective principles to attack against teams that defend using a 1-5-3-2 system and are a good example that coaches can use when preparing game plans against team using the same defensive system.
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