Left Back Football

Marco Rose and Rene Maric presided over an immensely successful spell - both domestically and internationally – at Red Bull Salzburg. They have now almost seamlessly adapted to a new league and playing staff at Borussia Monchengladbach as they have risen to the top of the Bundesliga standings. Their team is tactically adaptable as they have switched from their diamond 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 as well as systems with three centre-backs to manage the demands of the Bundesliga. They have honed the entertaining brand of football that they began to innovate in the hallowed of halls of Red Bull Salzburg’s training ground a few years ago.

Build-up

Borussia Monchengladbach used the 4-4-2 diamond shape all through pre-season and at the commencement of the Bundesliga season. They continued with the fundamentals of the system in build-up play as shown in the picture above. The centre-backs have created a two-chain with the fullbacks establishing width while the ball-near fullback drops deep as a passing option for his centre-back. The deepest-lying midfielder is occupying the space in between the two centre-backs while the two wide midfielders move closer to him to create passing options for central build-up combinations. All the midfielders have formed a diamond occupying the central spaces as the deeper-lying midfielders will drop to give the centre-backs passing options and to invite pressure to open passing lanes and spaces in between the lines.

Rose and Maric still treasure highly rehearsed and elaborate vertical passing moves to progress play as that is obvious with the staggering and player spacing of the team. If the centre-back moves the ball to his fullback, the six and ball-near wide midfielder will move to the left lateral zone to create one or two touch passing moves to release the attackers into space on the wide left alley to create a crossing opportunity. Another passing sequence Monchengladbach frequently use is a ball from the centre-back to the fullback who works a one-two with the wide-midfielder to then work a switch ball from the wide lateral zone into the striker in the central zone who drops into the pocket of space in front of his centre-back to layoff for his strike partner or the attacking midfielder to spread a pass to the weak side for the overlapping fullback to drive into space and provide a low cross.

In the picture above, it is obvious that Monchengladbach are set-up for wide vertical combinations with an increased focus on creating numerical and spacial superiorities on the right vertical zone as the wide left midfielder has tucked in to aid build-up play. This is a facet of build-up play that Rose has since developed in the use of a double-pivot in build-up play and not the use of a singular six. The six has dropped slightly deeper than his midfield partner while the opposition ten is pushing into his cover shadow, the opposition have also denied the centre-back access to his fullback by closing that passing lane with a marker. Monchengladbach will have to invite pressure by playing the ball back their goalkeeper, Yann Sommer who is adept at moving the ball with his feet.

The fullback and six will drop deeper with the fullback closer to the same vertical line as his centre-backs to offer a passing option for Sommer, the six will drop deeper as another passing option while allowing the centre-backs to split wide. With the player spacing, Sommer can work a pass to the fullback who will play a pass to the six space before the six works a one or two touch pass to the wide midfielder in the half-space who can play a direct ball into the channel or continue the passing sequence by moving the ball back into the centre for the attacking midfielder to layoff. Monchengladbach would have evaded pressure and thus created a counter-attacking opportunity.

Ever since Rose switched from a diamond, Monchengladbach are more likely to build-up in a 2+2/2+4 in a 2-4-3-1/2-4-1-3/2-4-2-2 of sort as the manager adapts his build-up shape to his playing staff, especially tailoring it to the style of the players in the spine of the team from defensive midfield to attacking midfielder to striker. In the double-pivot, the ball-near midfielder will drop closer to his centre-back to receive possession while Monchengladbach rely on blind-sided movement and connections to create space and receive possession. In the picture above, Monchengladbach are trying to establish passing angles to progress possession while Breel Embolo is trying to drop into the half-space as a passing option for the centre-back. The attacking midfielder in the ten space is making blind-sided movements in behind the opposition double-pivot to find space.

Rose lost attacking midfielder, Mikael Cuisance to Bayern Munich and Christoph Kramer to injury before the season as he had to start with Denis Zakaria as a defensive midfielder as the Swiss international has undertaken massive strides in his development, not just as a defensive midfielder but as an all-round midfielder. In the ten space, Laszlo Benes, Florian Neuhaus and Embolo have all been used bringing different skillsets to the table.

With Embolo in the attacking midfield position, he plays as a shadow striker in a front three occupying the same vertical line as Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram. In the photo above, Monchengladbach are in a 2-1-4-3 as they seek to establish width with the fullback, wide midfielder and attacker looking to create triangular three-man passing interchanges in the wide areas. Zakaria is positioned in the six-space as a passing option for the centre-backs as the midfielders have tucked into the centre as passing options. Monchengladbach have also created opportunities for vertical passing interchanges in the centre as the strikers can also drop deeper as options for passes through the lines when the ball is in their zone.

Breel Embolo is dropping into the ten space as the centre-backs push into the opposition half. Embolo allows Monchengladbach’s front-line to be fluid as he interchanges with Marcus Thuram and Plea while the Swiss international is adept at holding the nine and ten space. In the photo above, Embolo has dropped into the ten space as the centre-backs circulate the ball as Monchengladbach can move the ball to the right flank before working one of their vertical passing moves to Embolo in the ten space to lay off to a teammate or flick the ball to the right flank for the fullback or winger before making a run into the box. Embolo has the strength to hold the ball in the congested ten space as well as the mobility to drag markers and create space for teammates.

In the sequence, the double-pivot is occupying the two midfielders in the opposition low block as Embolo can push into space alongside the opposition six with the inverted winger also making a blind-sided movement to create an overload in the area. This will give the centre-backs the opportunity to play a direct pass in between the lines for Embolo to then distribute the ball out wide to stretch play or to lay off in the central areas to establish combinations to work a pass for the striker in behind.

Wide build-up

Rose and Maric have always had interesting approaches to wide build-up and have tweaked their strategies in this area of the game model to suit their playing staff. Their squad boasts more natural wingers than their Salzburg squad as they are willing to work direct passes into the wide channels as well as elaborate wide combination routines. In the photo above, they are in a 3-1-2-4 shape with their fullbacks pushed high and the wide midfielders underlapping them which are similar characteristics to their shape at Salzburg. The holding midfielder is positioned in between the centre-backs allowing them to split as Monchengladbach intend to work the ball to the right-flank. The attacker has already moved closer to the fullback on the right half-space in anticipation of the combinations while the midfielder is positioned more centrally.

Monchengladbach have numerical superiority on the flanks as if the midfielder was in the six space rather than in between the centre-backs, the ball-far centre-back and fullback would not be able to shift across to provide better counter-pressing opportunities in case of ball-loss. This was a staple of Rose’s Salzburg as the ball-near centre-back has a very aggressive role in the counter-press in the opposition half as once the ball is lost, he will push up to squeeze the space with the fullback, midfielder and attacker. Preparing for ball-loss in the possession phase is another tactic that Rose has developed from his days in Salzburg.

With their wide-build up, Monchengladbach look to create low- or high-quality crossing opportunities in a variety of ways as Thuram, Plea and Hermann are all rapid attackers who thrive in space on the wing. The centre-back could work direct balls into the alleys to isolate them against a centre-back or fullback in order to drive past their marker and work a low crossing opportunity. Monchengladbach could also work rapid triangular interchanges to create space for the player in the half-space to work delicate lobs for runners in the box or switch the ball to the opposite flank for a better low crossing opportunity.

Wide triangular rotations allow Monchengladbach to create crossing or lob opportunities from the half-space to a striker making a run in behind the opposition centre-backs. Monchengladbach do not use a contemporary striker with aerial proficiency, so they need to be more precise in crossing situations working to the strengths of Plea, Thuram and Embolo. Thuram is gifted at cutting across his marker in the wide areas to create a yard of space before laying a low cross to an onrushing attacker in the six-yard box or unleashing a rasping strike at goal.

Positional Play

Rose and Maric seek to stretch the pitch in the opposition half using their fullbacks and wingers to create crossing opportunities or moving the ball back into the centre through wide triangles. In the sequence, Thuram is stretching play on the left while Lainer provides width on the right as Wendt in possession has a plethora of options. If he spreads the ball, he can continue his run into the half space with Embolo moving towards the near post drawing his centre-back before Plea makes an angled run into space to receive the cut back. Monchengladbach also have numerical superiority on the opposite flank as they also employ switch balls to the weak side where players can work the ball into the box with combinations to create high quality shooting opportunities.

Thuram, Plea and Embolo operate with fluidity with all of them occupying the nine space and the wide areas throughout the game, especially as their teammates will continuously work opportunities for them to run in behind. Thuram and Embolo in the centre allow Monchengladbach to utilise high crosses while Embolo will drop into the ten space to receive passes before making runs into the box to get on the end of crosses. All three are pacy, strong and confident in 1v1s while having the innate sense of making well timed runs into the box as Monchengladbach have scored an abundance of goals from low crossing situations. Rose’s side also look to stretch play in order to play switch balls to the weak side in order to work a better crossing opportunity. Monchengladbach also work switch balls in order to create three-man rotations to work one of their attackers into space in the half-space or central zone for a high-quality shooting opportunity.

Monchengladbach work wide triangular combinations, so they can work the ball back into the centre or create an opportunity for a lob from the half-space. Monchengladbach will have a player positioned in the lateral zone, half-space and in the deeper area to work a passing sequence so the player in the half-space can work a lob for a teammate making a run towards the six-yard area.

Pressing

Rose and Maric have switched to a 4-2-3-1 shape rather than a 4-4-2 diamond but their principles remain the same, denying the opposition access to the central areas and ferocious lateral pressing in the wide areas with their attackers being heavily involved. The attacking midfielder in the ten space will situationally move closer to the striker when the opposition work a back pass to the goalkeeper as Borussia Monchengladbach will press to force the long ball. The attacking midfielder will mark the opposition six while the striker pressures the centre-backs to force the ball into the wide areas. When the opposition moves higher, the striker will drop to mark the opposition six.

Rose and Maric have given their team man-orientated pressing responsibilities as they will concede 2v1 situations with the striker pressing both the centre-backs in a medium block. When the ball is played back to the keeper, the striker will move up to press the keeper, the wingers will move inside to press the two centre-backs and the fullbacks will push up to press the opposition fullbacks when the ball is distributed to them. Their attacking midfielder will be tasked with marking the opposition defensive midfielder at all times during the pressing phase.The midfield double pivot is tasked with tracking deeper-lying midfielders while the ball-far wing-back will maintain a three-chain with the highly placed centre-backs allowing the ball-near centre-back to shift across and gain better access to his flank as press security. The wingers will only engage the fullbacks during the lateral pressure or counter-pressing phase.

The most intriguing facet of Rose and Maric’s press is their wide pressing traps as once the ball is moved out wide, the winger, ball-near deeper lying central midfielder and fullback will all move out wide to engage the player in possession and force a turnover. In the picture above, Borussia Monchengladbach are preparing for a lateral press as the opposition seek to move the ball out wide while the Monchengladbach defensive block is shifting to the left side. As the whole block shifts to the ball-near side, if the opposition try to play a line-breaking pass in the wide zones, the fullback will push up to regain possession. In the photo above, Monchengladbach have denied the opposition access to the six space in a 2v1 situation, denied the opposition access to the central player in between the lines in another 2v1 while the ball-near fullback is marked. A switch ball to the ball-far fullback can be regained by the ball-far winger. The centre-back in possession has two immediate options, drive forward and engage pressure to risk a 3v1 pressing situation or play a long ball where Monchengladbach can regain possession.

Monchengladbach could also press as a flat 4-3-3 to gain more coverage against the opposition defensive three-chain and for more rigidity in midfield. The wingers will situationally push higher up either side of the central striker to create front three while the midfield will create a flat midfield three as Monchengladbach will shift as a 4-3-3 to defend the wide areas when the opposition move possession to the fullbacks. Plea, Thuram and Embolo are talented at regaining possession in the higher areas as well as working quick combinations to establish counters to create goalscoring opportunities.

Counter-pressing

Borussia Monchengladbach employ a ferocious counter-press, especially when they lose the ball in the opposition box from deflected crosses. The ball-near attacker will drop back to tackle his man from the blind-side as there is a well-drilled system of squeezing the play. Centre-backs will always push higher upon ball-loss to suffocate the spaces and win possession if the ball is played past the first line of pressure in order to prevent counter-attacks.

At Salzburg, in a 4-4-2 diamond, the centre-backs had responsibility to move out wide and push higher into the wide areas to win possession in the case of ball-loss but in a 4-2-3-1 this is redundant. There are the presence of wingers, fullbacks and midfielders who can squeeze play in case of ball-loss while the centre-back can remain in a wider, deeper position, only pushing up to negate numerical superiority or if the ball is worked pass the first line. At Salzburg, the elaborate player spacing was coordinated to be effective in the event of ball-loss as the issue is the same at Borussia Monchengladbach. The forwards will drop while the nearest man will always apply direct pressure, chasing and harrying the player in possession while his teammates cut out the passing angles. The players will then swarm around the player in possession to increase their chances of regaining the ball.

Defensive shape

Monchengladbach normally defend in a rigid 4-2-3-1 so they can easily switch to a higher pressing situation triggered by sideways passes to the flank and back-passes to the centre-backs and goalkeeper. In all of their low blocks, they will deny the opposition access into the centre through making the spaces smaller in between the lines with aggressive deeper midfielders and centre-backs willing to push up to regain possession and instigate a break. Their defensive shape depends on their personnel as at home to Paderborn, they dropped into a 5-3-2/5-4-1 low block as Tony Jantschke was playing at left-back. Jantscke is less athletic at covering the space on the flank so Rose tasked winger Patrick Hermann with dropping outside him to create a back five and give him adequate support.

In the above picture, Monchengladbach have retreated into a 4-1-4-1 medium block with the striker looking to regain possession by attacking the defenders blind-side to make a challenge or force poor distribution. The wingers are marking the fullbacks with Zakaria martialling the six space. One of the central midfielders has pushed up to mark the opposition defensive midfielder while his counterpart is closing the passing lane to the opposition. On the ball-far side, Monchengladbach may be at risk of a 2v1/3v2 situation but with the whole defensive block shifting across, it becomes a 2v2 with the winger and fullback marking the opposition winger and fullback and 2v2/3v3 in the centre with the centre-backs and six marking the Dortmund attackers.

The most interesting thing about Monchengladbach’s defensive shape is that they are able to transition into their 4-2-3-1 pressing structure with a sideways pass or a back pass and they are also ready to counter into space in case of a ball loss. Both wingers are ready to push up to mark their fullbacks while the six will push up next to the 8 with the attacking midfielder following the opposition defensive midfielder. If the man in possession plays a loose pass into the central areas, the centre-backs are ready to push up to regain possession and one of the centre-backs is on the half-turn in case of a ball in behind. If the player in possession continues his run, he has three to four players in the area willing to engage so he will not be able to drive the ball deep into the opposition half.

Conclusion

Borussia Monchengladbach have topped the Bundesliga for most of the first half of the season with Marcus Thuram, Breel Embolo, Alassane Plea, Denis Zakaria and Matthias Ginter among some of the best performers in the Bundesliga. Marco Rose and Rene Maric have adjusted their tactics to suit their new squad and the demands of the new league as they have taken the Bundesliga by storm. They have developed another talented young crop of footballers within an enthralling tactical framework, moving the ball at pace and scoring a plethora of goals.