The Full-Back's Compromise

A team that presses high leaves the full-backs in a difficult position. You see it against a side that plays with two quick wide players. If the full-back pushes up to support the press, the space behind them becomes a direct passing lane for the opposition.

Take the recent Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan -6. Bayern pressed high, but Inter's midfield looked for the early ball into the channel. The decisive moment wasn't the tackle; it was whether the Bayern full-back was in a position to recover. When he wasn't, the space behind opened up.

The solution is for the covering centre-back to shift across early. If that doesn't happen, the shape is broken. Watch the distance between the centre-back and the full-back during a high press. If that gap is too large, a simple pass can isolate the defender.

A pressing team's vulnerability is always behind the full-backs.

Question: Do you prefer a full-back who tucks in to protect the centre or one who stays wide to cover the touchline?