Playing three at the back is a tactic whose time has come in the Premier League. At issue is whether the system will stand the test of time.
Many tactics are deployed by football managers for various reasons. One tactic is especially popular these days, especially when playing away from home. It’s playing three at the back.
Courtesy pulse.ng
Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea all play with three at the back. The tactic helped Chelsea win The Premier League title last year.
Playing with three at the back is designed to contend opponents and hit them on the break. It’s an option that plays three defenders, two holding midfielders, two wing-backs (each on either side of the flanks), and three players up front.
Fluidity and flexibility makes it effective. It gives wing-backs an opportunity to attack when the team is on the front foot; and it allows the wing-backs to provide defensive cover when the team is on the back foot.
The system is very dynamic, too. It offers midfielders the option to switch play and look for spaces to explore. And it gives managers the option to set up a very compact team, especially when they’re playing against an opponent that keeps more of the possession. Playing with three at the back is defensive-minded, too, in that it gives teams stability under intense pressure.
While the system has proven to be an effective tactic, it has shortfalls, too.
Lack of pace upfront can be a major setback, as well, because the system is designed to counter-attack whenever you regain possession in your own half. And the system is ineffective without ball-playing defenders. The defenders at the back must be comfortable with the having ball on their feet.
I believe playing with three at the back works very effectively when you have team quality. The system requires discipline, intelligence, and composure. It can stretch a team. But it can also be frustrating when your opponent neutralises the strength of the wing-backs who are meant to support the attack.
Juventus uses three at the back quite effectively (illustration, Outside of the Boot)
Playing three at the back takes time to perfect. Launching its use against lesser teams is probably a good way to start.
Perhaps the best example of its use is Juventus, team that plays a back three of Chiellini, Bonucci, and Barzagli. The trio has excellent ball-playing abilities. Equally important is that the team’s wing-backs, Sandro and Cuadrado, understand positioning during defensive and offensive transitions.
It’s obvious that playing three at the back is a tactic whose time has come. At issue is whether the system will stand the test of time.
