Left Back Football

Erik ten Hag is reminiscent to Pep Guardiola in some aspects of his managerial style in his maniacal repetition and rehearsal of positional roles and sequences. Ten Hag worked as Bayern II coach while Guardiola managed the first team and practices elements of issues he learned under the Catalan coach. Ten Hag implemented a 4-4-2 diamond at FC Utrecht while developing a number of academy players and recruits as he regularly troubled teams in the higher echelons of the Eredivisie. Ajax then hired the Head Coach to guide their post ‘Technical Heart’ restructure and modernizing of the club.

Build-up play

Ajax build up in a 2+3 build up formation as the deepest-lying midfielder will be centrally placed in between the centre-backs while the fullbacks push up either side of the defensive midfielder. Ajax build-up in a 2-3-4-1 with the box to box midfielder pushing into the attacking line while the wingers, create width with timed central runs in the middle through the fullbacks or the fullbacks will move out wide. The deepest-lying midfielder Lisandro Martinez or Frenkie de Jong last season will drop next to the centre-backs to establish a three-chain while the box to box midfielder, Lasse Schone last season and Edson Alvarez this year collapses into the six space.

Ajax switch to a 3+1 with the fullbacks pushing high as this could manifest into a 3-1-5-1/3-1-4-2/3-1-6 formation with the fullbacks pushing to the halfway-line and even into the opposition half as Ajax could switch to a 2-3-5 in the attacking half. Ajax seek to work combinations and three-man passing interchanges in the centre before stretching play in the wide areas by playing the ball to their wingers. The speed of the elaborate interchanges through the increased practice of rondos and passing sequences in training allows Ajax to quickly evade pressure situations. Ajax can also play the ball out wide to the fullbacks where the ball-near centre-back, fullback and Lisandro Martinez will establish a triangle to play out of pressure.

In the picture above, Ajax have set up central triangles to progress play through the centre and work quick connections before moving the ball out wide to players in space for 1v1s and crossing opportunities. Donny van de Beek and Klaas - Jan Huntelaar are dropping into the pockets in between the centre-backs and defensive midfielders to receive possession in between the lines. The intricacies of the movements in between the wingers and fullbacks is exemplary as the fullbacks could move into the half-spaces as auxiliary midfielders or they can make perfectly timed runs outside of the wingers when they cut in. In the sequence above, Ajax have also established opportunities for 3v3 wide connections while Lasse Schone has moved to the right wing to establish a simpler passing option for Matthijs De Ligt in possession.

Ajax wide build-up

An essential tenet of Erik ten Hag’s style of play is third-man run manoeuvres in wide build-up triangles. Ajax usually work the ball into the wide areas with Nicolas Tagliafico on the left and Noussair Mazraoui or Sergino Dest on the right as all three are technically proficient ball-playing fullbacks. These fullbacks will mostly operate in the wide areas to create width as will normally will switch with their wingers. Once the centre-back plays the ball into the lateral zone, the fullback will play a one or two-touch pass into the half-space.

Ajax seek to move the ball into the half-space in order to create space in the lateral zone for through-balls for the third man to run into so that they can cross or cut in from the by-line. The attacking and deep-lying midfielder will also shift into the wide areas to create the triangle as once the ball is moved inside, they will receive the ball in the half-space and distribute possession back to the wide lateral zone for the runner.

Ajax’ positional play in approach play

Ajax use the traits of positional play in build-up with a heavy influence on fluid and quick ball rotation to create low crossing opportunities at the by-line while creating 1v1 isolations in the wide areas and numerical superiority in the central positions and wide areas. In the situation above, Ajax have spread the opposition defence with David Neres on the ball-near flank and Rasmus Kristensen on the ball-far flank, allowing Dusan Tadic to take up a central position in the ten space.

Nicolas Tagliafico has a plethora of options in possession on the ball as he can attempt a direct ball into the attacker to lay-off to Tadic. He can play a ball to Neres who is pulling away from his marker while maintaining an on-side position as he could also work a through-ball into the half-space for Neres to run onto. He can play a simple pass to de Jong who can establish a central triangle with Tadic and Lasse Schone before spreading the ball to Kristensen on the opposite flank. Tagliafico can also drive the ball into the space in front of him to draw Neres, Tadic and de Jong’s markers to work a pass into one of the options in space. In the sequence, it is obvious that Ajax have cleverly split the pitch into segments as they seek to progress possession with vertical passing moves through these segments.

In the above sequence, Ajax are in their 3-1-6 formation with the fullbacks establishing width playing slightly deeper than the central four. Ajax circulate the ball with triangular passing angles in the 3+1 as they will move the ball to the fullbacks in the wide areas. As they progress into the opposition half, it is essential that players in the central four lanes drop into space to receive possession and work combinations into the wide areas for crossing opportunities or create opportunities for the central striker to make runs in behind the defence. The players positioned in the half-space will drop and move wider to create three-man passing triangles to work the ball to the by-line or into the box.

The centre-backs pushing up high also gives them playmaking responsibilities and counter-pressing responsibilities. As the centre-backs move into the opposition half, Ajax will alternate back into two-chain with the deep-lying midfielder moving into the wide positions to participate in wide combinations and in the centre as a passing option to recycle play. In the sequence, Ajax are playing the ball to the left flank where the fullback, Nicolas Tagliafico, Daley Blind/Alvarez and Quincy Promes are establishing an opportunity for triangular combinations. As Alvarez moves out wide, Lisandro Martinez pushes into the six-space so that position is filled while the Mexican works play in the wide areas.

A vital part of Ajax’ approach play is switching the ball as the trio on the left flank could play the ball into the middle and use the central zone as a switching hub. They could also play a direct ball into the wide areas to create a 1v1 situation with the ball-far wide player. This would also trigger an interior supporting run from the player in the half-space to draw the marker and create space for the wide-player to cut in or for a through-ball passing option. Ajax would also flood the box with crossing options as they frequently create high quality opportunities through switch balls.

Ajax counter-pressing and Erik ten Hag’s ‘residual defence’

Erik ten Hag frequently uses the term ‘residual defence’ in press conferences and interviews. A ‘residual defence’ translates to preparing for ball-loss while you are in possession through positioning, player spacing and immediate actions when possession is lost. Ten Hag’s Ajax ferociously counter-press the opposition when possession is lost as they seek to regain possession, work quick combinations and create scoring opportunities. For instance, highly placed centre-backs will push up to regain possession instead of dropping back into a defensive shape.

In the above picture, Ajax have just lost possession as they are in a counter-pressing situation as they are compressing the space in the wide areas. The three players closest to the ball have enclosed the space and denied the player in possession access to his direct passing options. Ajax have worked a 6v4 counter pressing situation where all the direct passing options are marked while as the attackers in front of possession will regularly retreat to regain control of the ball. The player in possession has a marker on his blind-side behind him, forcing him to release the ball and make a mistake. Four Ajax players have maintained their positioning as all of Ajax’ outfield players are in the above situation. This allow Ajax to have crucial out-balls to work the ball out of the tight space and instigate quick attacking moves.

Ajax pressing

Ajax press in their 4-2-3-1 which can manifest as a 4-1-4-1 when one of the midfielders move forward to press in the second wave to force loose balls into the pockets, allowing the defensive line to push up and regain possession or force the ball out wide. The striker is tasked with harrying the opponent’s centre-backs, forcing them into sideways and backwards passes which will trigger the rest of the Ajax defensive block to move forward and engage the opposition. The wingers will also shift from their responsibilities of marking the fullbacks and will engage the keeper and centre-backs in the opposition box.

In the sequence above. Ajax are in their usual 4-2-3-1 as the wingers have moved inside to prevent connections from the centre-backs to the widely-positioned fullbacks. Ajax are also prepared for a lob to the flank as the defensive block will shift to the wide areas to laterally press the opposition with the ball-near fullback, deep-midfielder, winger as well as the striker, central attacking midfielder and ball-far deep midfielder supporting. Ajax centre-backs are also comfortable in winning challenges against the opposition striker when they lack adequate support from the full-back.

As Ajax will shift to laterally press in numbers, they have left the fullbacks free, looking for a 4v3/4v4 in the higher central areas. The opposition defensive midfielder is marked by the Ajax attacking midfielder, direct passing access to him from the goalkeeper is denied by the striker. The lanes between the centre-backs to circulate the ball amongst each other or with the defensive midfielder are mitigated by the striker who will press the player in possession. Ajax have man-marked all the centrally placed players with their double-pivot marking the opposition attacking midfielders. Ajax are trying to negate the influence of the opposition attacker with a 2v1 in the case of a long goal-kick and an offside trap if the opposition try to release their attacker in the latter stages of build-up play.

The responsibility of the two wide attackers is shared by the centre-backs and fullbacks. If the opposition progress plays out wide, then the ball-near fullback will shift their responsibility to the fullback with the ball-near centre-back marking the wide attacker as Ajax’ defence will shift as a whole. Ajax have also worked numerical advantages as if any of the wide attackers receive possession, Ajax can engage them in a 3v1 with the ball-near midfielder and fullback supporting the centre-back. If the opposition attacking midfielder in the ten space receives possession, both midfielders in the double-pivot will engage while if the opposition attacking midfielder on the near-side receives possession then the fullback, deep-lying midfielder and winger will engage him in a 3v1 forcing him to move the ball to his fullback where Ajax can shift into lateral pressure.

Ajax pressing in a 4-1-4-1 shape with the fullback pushing up to regain possession

Ajax defensive shape

Ajax normally sit in a 4-4-1-1/4-4-2 defensive shape where the wingers will drop either side of the double-pivot to supplement the fullbacks while the attacking midfielder will maintain his role and support the striker. In the above picture, Ajax have kept a rigid defensive line, denying the opposition access or space into the pockets. The defence have also worked an offside-trap for the central forward as they are looking to trigger a phase of higher pressure when the opposition are working sideways or backwards passes.

The opposition are forced to work passes out wide where Ajax will move into a phase of pressing higher and aggressively pressing the wide areas which could result in a loss of possession. Or the opposition will be forced to drop their attacking players into central spaces to work connections as Ajax will respond with man-orientated pressure. Ajax are also relatively safe from long-balls as the opposition’s central striker is in an offside position, the wide players are outnumbered in 2v1 situations, especially on the near side, with the winger and fullback prepared for a switch ball. The winger on the far side is already moving up to pressure the fullback in anticipation of the centre-back passing to the fullback as that is the best passing option in the situation. The centre-back could also drive the ball forward into space but the striker and attacking midfielder would engage him as Ajax would move their defensive block higher.

Conclusion

Ten Hag has a Guardiola-esque way of moving players into positions and spaces to succeed within a broader tactical framework. The man with a distinct Enschede-accent has always been a talented and forward-thinking manager but has evolved as a manager who preaches a distinct and attacking style of play at Ajax despite the opposition. His track record of player development has been incredible across all the clubs that he has worked at as he will be a sought-after commodity in the summer. At Ajax, he has continued to establish himself as one of a frighteningly small number of Dutch managers who have used Johan Cruyff and Guardiola as templates to establish an entertaining, tactically sound and progressive style of play.