The Full-Back and the Space Behind

Watching a preseason friendly can be misleading, but one tactical detail is always worth your attention. In the recent match between Real Madrid and Fiorentina, look at how Fiorentina got back into the game. Real Madrid's full-backs were pushing high, and Fiorentina found the space in behind.

When the full-back is too high and the covering centre-back is dragged wide, a huge channel opens up between the centre-back and the touchline. That is where Fiorentina found their goals. The pass isn't difficult to play, the difficulty is in making the run at the right time.

Watch the first 10 minutes of any match. If the full-backs are always ahead of the ball, the space behind them is the key to the game.

Question: When you watch a match, do you focus on the position of the full-backs before you look at the player on the ball?