Left Back Football

Roberto De Zerbi is another one of Italy’s new generation of managerial talents honed at the fabled halls of Coverciano before working his way up through Italy’s lower leagues. Despite only winning 9 games last season, Sassuolo played a brand of entertaining football with well-rehearsed automatisms and passing movements. The stylish young Italian manager has continued to develop his style at Sassuolo despite the departures of Stefano Sensi and Pol Lirola as well as an injury to Rogerio. The passing, movement and creation of space have made Sassuolo one of Serie A’s must-watch teams.

Triangular build-up

Sassuolo deploy a 2+3 in build-up with deep-lying fullbacks to create triangle rotations as they seek to progress play with well-rehearsed movements and the ball on the ground. Sassuolo seek to work possession through the centre and use their fullbacks as medium of doing so as their centre-backs will circulate the ball amongst each other looking for a pass through the central lines as if they are congested, Sassuolo will then shift the ball to their fullbacks who will look to play wide combinations or will move the ball back to the centre-backs to play the ball through the centre. De Zerbi’s side will look to create triangular rotations to create third man movements in between the central lines. The centre-back will play an early wall-pass in between the central lines which will be laid off back to him before he works a ball into the pockets.

A 2+3 is one of the best build-up shapes for creating triangles in the deeper areas and you can see how De Zerbi’s side have done so with the centre-backs pushing into the space in between the six space and fullbacks. It also allows midfielders in the higher areas to drop deeper in anticipation of the centre-back playing an early ball through the lines where they can turn and drive into space or layoff into the six-space. The midfielders have also created a triangle where they can work central rotations to evade midfield pressure before shifting the ball into the wide areas for the fullbacks to drive into space. The free 8s are also responsible for helping aid wide build up, creating triangles with the midfielders, wide attackers and fullbacks. The ball-far 8 will move inside as Sassuolo will work wide rotations with the goal of moving possession back into the centre so they can switch play to the ball-far fullback.

Initially, when the centre-backs are in possession, they will always look to play the ball to the six space. If the six space is closed down, they will play the ball into their fullback who will look for a passing angle to the six space or work a wide combination with the winger and ball-near midfielder. Sassuolo also work intriguing combinations as they switch to a 2+4 shape with two deep-lying players as the ball-near player will drop deeper to attract markers before the centre-back plays the ball to the ball-far six. Centre-backs and the goalkeeper are encouraged to play the ball through the lines to midfielders if they are in space through lobs or well-weighted line breaking passes.

De Zerbi frequently switches to a 3-5-2 against Sassuolo’s tougher opponents but their playing principles in possession will remain the same. They seek to play triangular vertical rotations looking for the free-man in possession while inviting pressure at times. In the picture above, they are set up in a 3-2-4-1 build-up shape with high wing-backs as they look to play through the opposition’s low block. With more highly positioned wing-backs, they play wall-passes with the midfield double-pivot inviting the opposition to press their midfield creating space in the opposition defensive block. The three-chain will also frequently circulate possession amongst each other to encourage opposition pressure to work passes into their double-pivot who will drive into the opposition half before spreading the ball. Situationally, if Sassuolo are hemmed into their own box, their ball-near wing-back will drop as the three-chain are working combinations with the double-pivot, a wide centre-back will work a wall-pass to the ball-near midfielder before working a pass to the wing-back.

In the picture above, the striker Francesco Caputo is making an angled run behind the defence despite the wide centre-back being in possession as Sassuolo seek to work quick vertical rotations to create space for the striker to make runs in behind. Throughout his tenure, De Zerbi has adapted to different strikers as he began with Kevin Prince-Boateng. With the Ghanaian or Khouma Babacar, he created attacking moves that allowed the striker to drop deep and receive the pass in space before a winger and midfielder would make vertical runs in behind him to create goal scoring opportunities. Sassuolo have also had Filip Djuricic and Alessandro Matri in the role as they preferred runs in behind and low crosses into the box.

The above picture is one of Sassuolo’s wall-passes instances as the wide right centre-back works a pass to the deep-lying midfielder who lays it back to him while the opposition attackers have enclosed on the midfielder, leaving the other midfielder in the double-pivot free. The centre-back has the option to work a pass out wide to play a pass to the wing-back who will flick a pass to the midfielder who will drive forward and try and work a through-ball for Caputo. Or the centre-back can play a pass to the centrally positioned centre-back, who will work another wall-passing combination with the free midfielder before playing a ball through the lines to the attacking midfielders. Whether it be in a three-chain or two-chain, Sassuolo will consistently look to move the opposition line of pressure by circulating the ball amongst the centre-backs.

Sassuolo are utilsing a box in midfield as they can work interchanges on the left flank which allows them to create space to use the centre as a switching zone to move possession to the weak side. The wide centre-back would work a one-two with the deep-lying midfielder to work a pass to the other midfielder in the double-pivot who will turn and drive to the other flank to spread the ball for the wing-back. Sassuolo could also work a direct switch to the ball-far wing-back as De Zerbi’s side enjoy creating connections on one flank then switching to the weak side.

Finding the free-man in the opposition half

Sassuolo will continuously work combinations to find the free man in between the lines while creating space for their fullbacks in the wide areas. In the instance above, the Sassuolo double-pivot have engaged their markers to create space for the midfielder to move in between the lines. Sassuolo’s fullbacks have created width and tend to move forward with the progression of the ball as once the ball is played in between the lines, the fullbacks will push forward to create width for low crosses and cutbacks for high quality opportunities. The striker is playing on the shoulder of the last man ready to make a run in behind for a through-ball or to be on the end of a low cross. In the opposition half, De Zerbi’s triangular passing routines are patient and incisive as they rely on movement and circulations to create space for opportunities on goal.

In the picture above, Sassuolo are working a wide triangular routine to progress in the opposition half as the central striker is pulling away from the defensive chain to receive possession in the wide areas. The striker is the free man as the fullback is occupied by the wing-back creating space in the half-space. The attacking midfielder in the ten space is pushing into the space that the central striker has just vacated. The player in possession can work a pass into the striker who will lay-off for the ball-near central midfielder to work a through ball in behind for the attacking midfielder in the nine space. As well as working balls in behind for attackers, Sassuolo also seek to stretch the pitch with highly placed wing-backs, working the ball into the wide areas for crossing opportunities. They rely on winger to fullback passing sequences to work crossing opportunities for strikers to make runs to near post or cutbacks at the top of the box.

In the picture above, Sassuolo are in a 2-3-5 pyramid formation as De Zerbi prefers his wingers to stretch play while his fullbacks get involved in build-up play. However, once the winger receives the ball and attempts to cut inside, the fullback will make a timed overlapping run outside him as a passing option, to draw markers to create space for the winger and to stretch play. When the wingers are stretching play and the fullbacks are in possession of the ball, the fullbacks are encouraged to drive the ball into the half-spaces rather than to move out wide. In their attacking shape, Sassuolo try to work direct balls in between the lines so the attackers can flick on to teammates. In build-up, Sassuolo utilise a 2-3-2-3 with a narrow front three but once Sassuolo work the ball through the centre, the attackers spread out before play progresses to the wings through the wingers or overlapping fullbacks.

Sassuolo building up in 2-3-5 with the fullback attacking the half-spaces.

Sassuolo pressing

Sassuolo have altered their pressing shape since last season as they utilised a 4-3-2-1 high defensive shape with their wingers dropping alongside their defensive midfielder in midfield while the central midfielders pushed behind the striker. This allowed the striker to push up to apply pressure on the centre-backs while the midfielders marked the opposition six and prevented the opposition from progressing play through the centre. The wingers in midfield allowed better coverage as once the ball was moved into the wide areas, the ball-near winger would engage the fullback as the whole team will laterally press the opposition. In the above picture, the whole team is transitioning into a lateral press as the ball is moved into the wide areas.

As the ball is moved into the wide areas, the ball-near midfielder will shift to press the player in possession with the winger while the striker will prevent access to ball-near centre-back while the ball-far midfielder will mark the opposition six. The midfield three will move across to tuck in to prevent access to the centre for the fullback in possession.

This season, De Zerbi has altered the defensive shape into a rigid 4-4-2 as at times, Sassuolo will push higher up in this shape. The first wave of pressure is man-orientated as Sassuolo’s two strikers will mark the centre-backs while their wingers will push up to engage the fullbacks as they seek to deny the opposition access to the six space in order to force the ball out wide, so they can win possession in the lateral press. In the photo above, Sassuolo are in their medium block, as their wingers are prepared to engage their fullbacks when the opposition move the ball out wide. The two midfielders are closing the passing lanes to the two midfielders in the pockets as the opposition will be forced to move the ball out wide into the lateral press or play backwards passes which will trigger a higher press.

The strikers are deeper, looking to deny access into the central lines but will push up to engage the centre-backs when they pass the ball backwards. Sassuolo can also regularly switch to a 4-2-3-1 high press with the central striker, in 2v1/3v1 situation against the opposition centre-backs, the player in the ten-space marking the opposition defensive midfielder while the wingers will continue to have the responsibility of marking the fullbacks. When the opposition move the ball into the wider areas, they will have more numerical superiority with the winger, ball-near midfielder and fullback moving into the wide areas to close the spaces and win possession. Sassuolo frequently adjust in between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 in their shape against the ball as when the opposition centre-backs are in possession, one of the strikers will drop back to close the passing lane to the six space with the other striker pushing up to harry the centre-backs.

Sassuolo counter-pressing

When Sassuolo lose possession, they attempt to squeeze the opponent as the nearest Sassuolo player to the opponent player in possession will apply direct pressure while the other teammates in the area will man-mark other players in the area. Sassuolo seek to force lose passes in order to regain possession with interceptions as the longer the opposition are in possession, the harder Sassuolo will try to win possession. If the pressing player is dribbled, the markers in the area will move in front of their marker utilising their cover shadow and closing the passing lanes to win interceptions. The first instinct of the defenders and deeper-lying players is to push forward to win possession in the opposition half, winning loose balls and preventing the opposition from counter-attacking. De Zerbi’s team seek to counter-press in all areas of the pitch, even in the deeper areas of the pitch with the midfielders and defenders squeezing to win the ball so they can counter. Strikers will also drop deeper to regain possession as once Sassuolo win possession, they will stretch the pitch to try and create an opportunity.

Sassuolo defensive shape

Last season, Sassuolo transitioned into a flat 4-5-1 in the defensive phase looking to consolidate the centre and force the opposition into the wide areas to engage them in a 3v1/2v1 situation. Sassuolo have closed the passing lanes through the centre as the ball-far midfielder has tucked into the centre as the opposition seek to play the ball to the right flank. The lines in between the defence and midfield as well as the midfield and solitary attacker are spaced out evenly in a rigid low block constraining spaces in between the lines. A flat 4-5-1 allowed De Zerbi’s side to transition from a 4-3-2-1 high press to a 4-5-1 low block as the pressing central midfielders would simply drop back into their central positions while the wingers would continue with their defensive responsibilities on the wing.

Last season, when Sassuolo switched to a 3-5-2 against the stronger teams in Serie A, they defended in a compact 5-3-2 shape. In their normal defensive shape, passes to the wide areas would engage the ball-near winger to push up and mark the opposition fullback but in a narrow 5-3-2, that proved impossible and would give the wing-back a lot of space to cover. Instead, when the ball is played out wide, De Zerbi’s side utilise lateral pressure with the defensive block shifting over to cover the wide areas as they have done in the picture above. The ball-near striker has shifted over to engage the opposition wide centre-back while the midfield shifts over to provide adequate coverage on that flank. The ball-far attacker and midfielder have tucked in but also have responsibilities to lead the lateral pressure on the opposite flank in case of a switch ball while closing out passing lanes to the centre as the lateral passes will force loose balls that Sassuolo can use to regain possession. Sassuolo seek to deny their opponents access to the centre so the two strikers will mark the back three in a 3v2 situation in a medium block whilst the Sassuolo front two deny the opposition access to the centre, especially to the six space. The back five will also push up to utilise an offside trap while providing a rigid medium block with little space in the middle.

This season, Sassuolo utilise a 4-4-2 defensive shape that can sometimes imitate a 4-3-3 as when the opposition moves the ball into the wide areas, the ball-near winger will push up to engage the player in possession. In the picture above, the wingers have pushed up to cut out the passing lanes to the wide areas, the ball-near wide midfielder has shuffled across for support while the deepest lying midfielder is providing press security. If the player in possession works a lobbed pass into the wide areas, the wide midfielder, winger, fullback and ball-near attack will shift across to laterally press and force a turnover. Sassuolo have a very tight and rigid low block, a ball through the middle will be swept up by the two midfielders or the centre-backs will push up to win possession. The centre-backs can also push up and work an offside trap for the player trying to make a run in behind.

In their 4-4-2, Sassuolo defend teams deploying three centre-back formations with their forwards remaining deeper, denying them access to the central areas, mostly by utilising their cover shadows to mark the opposition’s deeper-lying midfielders. If Sassuolo switch to a higher press, the attackers will push into the spaces between the wide centre-backs and most central defender then one midfielder will push up to man-mark the opposition defensive midfielder. If the ball moves back to the keeper, the winger is tasked with covering the space in between the wing-backs and wide centre-backs with an emphasis on the former. The fullbacks will then push up to mark the wide attackers. Then the midfield and defence are prepared to squeeze the space in between the lines as De Zerbi’s side always seek to maintain a rigid shape in the centre to force the ball into the wide areas. In the picture above, Sassuolo also allow the centre back to drive into 3v1/3v2 space where they will engage the player in possession to win back possession. The spaces are so small with the roles so well defined, that if they player in possession attracts three players and releases the ball into the wide areas, Sassuolo can easily shift and cover the space with the fullback and deepest-lying midfielder shifting across to help.

Conclusion

Sassuolo are a mid-table side who only managed 9 wins last season while being 7 points away from the relegation zone with 6 wins this season. However, their style of play is captivating as they employ modern positional play schemes creating beautiful passing sequences by moving the ball quickly to find the free man. De Zerbi is only 40-years-old and has worked his way up from the lower leagues of Italian football, eventually impressing with Benevento. Players like Stefano Sensi and Pol Lirola eventually moved on to bigger things but many more youngsters have developed under the stewardship of De Zerbi which is why Sassuolo, despite their meagre number of wins and points total, are highly regarded.