Mauricio Barbieri’s entertaining Red Bull Bragantino side

At 39-years-old, Mauricio Barbieri has already experienced the highs and lows of Brazilian football as he pieced together his career at Audax, Red Bull Brasil and Guarani before accepting a role at Flamengo as an assistant coach. He would impress in an interim role before being given the reigns at the Brazilian giants before a drop-in performance would lead to him being sacked. Another three Head Coaching roles would lead him to Red Bull Bragantino as he steered them out of relegation trouble while maintaining an entertaining style of football before receiving an extension to his contract at one of Red Bull’s Brazilian outfits. He has interned for Jose Mourinho but is excited by the great entertainers of football coaching such as Pep Guardiola as Palmeiras’ Copa Libertadores winning coach, Abel Ferreira stated that Barbieri’s Red Bull Bragantino side play the best iteration of positional play in Brazil.

Build-up

Under Barbieri, Red Bull Bragantino build up in a 2+3 shape in a 2-3-2-3 formation as the young Brazilian manager prioritises symmetrical movement and interchanges in build-up, creating triangles with the centre-backs and deepest-lying midfielder, the deepest-lying midfielder and the free 8s as well as the ball-near 8 with the winger and fullback. The use of the goalkeeper is limited but the keeper will sometimes push in between the two centre-backs to attract pressure and create space for an early switch pass to the fullbacks or a long-ball into the opposition half, but Barbieri’s side prefer to circulate possession amongst the centre-backs and fullbacks with the deepest-lying midfielder moving from side to side to create passing angles.

In the photo above, Red Bull Bragantino are in their standard 2+3/2-3-2-3 build-up shape as they have circulated the ball to the right-sided centre-back who has an open passing lane to Claudinho dropping deep into the 8 space as the attacking conduit can receive the ball and turn to connect play in between the lines. Their player spacing is intriguing with the deeper-lying fullbacks holding their position as passing options as in certain situations, once the ball is played to their ball-near centre-back this will act as trigger for the fullback to make a run inside to clear a passing lane to the winger to receive possession from the centre-back.

 In certain situations, one of the free 8s will drop closer to the six-space to create a 2+4 formation as Red Bull Bragantino can work moves where one of the midfielders drop deep with another pushing up to drag a marker out of position for a pass to the six-space. This ploy is mainly used in the wide areas where one of the midfielders can make a dummy movement to drag a marker out of position and open a passing lane to the six-space. Barbieri positions his fullback in the deeper areas in order to receive possession from the centre-backs as his side will use the width of the pitch in build-up, as sequences can include both fullbacks touching the ball as Red Bull Bragantino move the ball from side to side.

However, what makes Barbieri’s build-up sequences unique is his use of inverted fullbacks tucking in while the winger will drop into the wide areas with the 8 moving into the half-space as once the fullback tucks inside, a direct passing lane to the winger is created for the centre-back while the winger can work a one-touch pass to fullback in the central position to thread a pass for the midfielder while the winger makes an underlapping run or for the winger to play a pass down the line to the midfielder with the inverted fullback making an underlapping run. Inverted fullbacks and these wide interchanges are essential to Barbieri’s side evading pressure and transitioning into attacking moves as the fullback will continue in the half-space making dummy runs for attacking midfielders dropping into space to receive possession in the centre of the pitch.

There are other ways that Red Bull Bragantino can use inverted fullbacks as the fullbacks are encouraged to move inside regularly in the build-up phase as the fullback can receive possession with his ball-near 8 dropping closer to him to receive possession before the fullback plays the ball to his teammate before moving into the central position to receive possession before spreading the ball back to the 8 who has moved into the wide areas to play a pass down the line for the winger. These rotations with the fullback, ball-near 8 and winger are integral and frequent to the way Red Bull Bragantino move the ball asymmetrically in the wide areas to evade opposition pressure.

Triangular interchanges are crucial to the way that Red Bull Bragantino look to progress play as if they work the ball from the centre-back to the fullback, the deepest-lying midfielder will move to the wide areas to create a triangle with the fullback and centre-back. Barbieri’s side are not averse to working quick rotations then switching the ball to the ball-far 8 or fullback to beat pressure. When the ball is in the wide areas, Barbieri’s team will work connections with the ball-near 8 drop into the line in front of the deepest-lying midfielder where they will play a wall-pass to the six-space to lay-off for a centre-back to thread a pass to the ball-near 8 to work a one-two to evade immediate pressure and create the opportunity to switch the ball to the ball-far fullback or 8. They can also work a sequence where the ball can be played to the fullback to work a one-two with the deepest-lying midfielder to play the ball to the ball-near 8 to facilitate a switch to the weak side.

Barbieri’s side are innate at evading pressure through rapid one-touch interchanges in these tight spaces to facilitate switch-balls to the weak side where the ball-far fullback will be able to work a one-touch pass to one of the attackers dropping deep into the central areas to receive possession to lay-off or flick-on for a teammate. If the ball is switched to the ball-far 8, he can spread the ball for fullback on the overlap or the fullback will work a dummy run to create a 1v1 situation for the winger on the weak side. This sequence is crucial considering Barbieri utilizes Artur who is a left-footed winger positioned on the right flank as Red Bull Bragantino seek to isolate him against his fullback, so he can cut inside on his stronger foot to shoot or to lob a cross into the box from the half-space.

With Barbieri’s side operating with symmetrical player spacing on both flanks as the fullbacks operate in the wide zone, the ball-near 8 in the half-space as well as winger stretching play on the flank, they have the opportunity to attract opposition man-orientated pressure. In certain situations, the fullback and deepest-lying midfielder who will move to the ball-near flank to receive possession will drop deeper to attract pressure for the centre-back to work a direct pass to the ball-near 8 in between the lines. Red Bull Bragantino can also use these sequences to play direct balls to the nine space or the fullback, deepest-lying midfielder, ball-near 8 can all drop deep with the winger moving into the half-space to receive a pass in between the lines.

Red Bull Bragantino will frequently switch to a back-three in the build-up phase with the deepest-lying midfielder dropping in between the centre-backs in order to create a numerical superiority in the first-line. Barbieri’s side will normally do this to attract pressure from the opposition front two and circulate the ball to the free centre-back who will push forward to work a pass in between the lines. Red Bull Bragantino will also evacuate the six-space to attract pressure and allow a centre-back to push forward before a midfielder will make a late drop into the six-space to receive possession to turn and move the ball forward or for the centre-back to have easier access for a deep vertical pass in between the lines.

In the situation above, the deepest-lying midfielder has dropped in between the centre-backs to evacuate the six-space while the fullbacks have maintained deep positions to receive possession while if a teammate drops into the six-space to receive possession, this will act as a trigger for the fullbacks to push forward. The opposition have marked both of the wide centre-backs which creates the opportunity for the central centre-back in possession to push forward and attract pressure before playing the ball to one of the wide centre-backs who will drive forward with the ball with a teammate dropping into the six-space to receive possession or he can attract pressure from the opposition midfield line to play a deep vertical pass in between the lines.

With the deepest-lying midfielder dropping in between the centre-backs, one intriguing ploy is Red Bull Bragantino playing the ball back to the goalkeeper to attract opposition pressure with the six pushing back into the six-space for the goalkeeper playing the ball to one of the centre-backs who will play the ball to the six-space for a one-touch pass to the deeper-lying fullbacks to evade the first wave of the opposition press. Or once the goalkeeper receives possession, the deepest-lying midfielder can push into the six-space to disorient the opposition press and create an extra man in the second line for the goalkeeper to play a direct pass to the six-space, a lobbed pass to the fullbacks in the wide areas or one of the 8s in between the lines.

Red Bull Bragantino can also establish a back-three with one of the fullbacks creating a back-three with the two centre-backs as in this situation, they would not evacuate the six-space, operating in a 3+1/3+2 shape with the same tenets as the wide centre-backs push up in possession to create passing angles into the central areas by attracting pressure from opposition midfielders. This 3+2 shape will normally form a part of a wider 3-2-5 shape where the three-chain will circulate the ball amongst each other with one of the deeper-lying midfielders dropping deep to receive possession to turn and work a pass into the attacking line or lay-off for the three-chain to circulate possession to the ball-far centre-back for a pass in between the lines.

In this 3-2-5 shape, one of the fullbacks will create a three-chain with the two centre-backs while his opposite fullback will push forward into the attacking line which is a shift from Barbieri deploying two deeper-lying fullbacks. The deeper-lying midfielders will move into the wide zones to receive possession with the ball-near attacking player dropping into the half-space to receive possession as this will allow the fullback to maintain his high position. This 3-2-5 shape allows Red Bull Bragantino to transition into their approach play phase with greater regularity as once the ball is moved into the wide areas, the central three in the attacking five will make divergent runs with one player, dropping deep, the ball-near attacker in the half-space making a run in behind to drag a defender out of position and clear a passing lane to the central player with the ball-far player making a run to receive a pass in behind. Barbieri’s side will move into the wide area to work the vertical pass to facilitate a switch to the ball-far fullback for a cross or to work a central combination to play an attacker in behind.

In all of Barbieri’s shapes, Red Bull Bragantino are no strangers to more direct passages of build-up as in the 2+3 shape, they can work a direct switch from one flank to the other as they symmetrical player spacing allows for an interchange of positions for a direct pass down the flank or into the channels on the weak side in order for the Brazilian side to create an opportunity. The deeper-lying fullbacks or centre-backs will work direct passes into the 8 in the half-space to receive possession with an overlapping run being made behind him while he will be able to work a vertical pass into the central channels. Barbieri’s side can also work direct passes in behind for runs in behind the opposition defence if the attacker is available as this can lead to knock-ons or flick-ons for high quality opportunities.

Red Bull Bragantino will normally work switch balls to the weak side to put their wingers or fullbacks in 1v1 situations against the opposition fullback so they can cut inside and have a shooting opportunity or thread a pass for a teammate making an underlapping run into the half-space to have a high-quality crossing opportunity. A direct switch for a 1v1 situation also allows Red Bull Bragantino’s wide players to cut into the centre and work a pass for teammate so Barbieri’s side can work combinations in the opposition to string together attacking moves. In their 2+3 build-up shape, the ball-near 8 can consistently act as a conduit to receive possession in the half-space, turn and switch the ball to the far side while using both fullbacks in deep and inverted situations eases switches as once fullbacks tuck inside, the ball-near 8 will have a direct passing option to the far side. Barbieri also positions Artur as a left-footed right winger, consistently looking to switch possession to him during the build-up and attacking phase to put him in 1v1 situations against the opposition fullback so he can cut inside onto his stronger foot.

Positional Play

Barbieri is one of the few Brazilian managers who incorporates positional play aspects into his style of football as his side will look to create triangles and intricate passing interchanges in the final third while also stretching the pitch with their wingers and fullbacks switching in between the wide one and the half-spaces. His essential attacking playmaker is Claudinho who he utilizes in a second-striker/playmaker hybrid role as Claudinho will drop deep to receive possession, occupy the ten space in between the lines as a passing outlet so he can receive possession and orchestrate one-twos to create shooting opportunities for himself and teammates.

In the image above, the centre-back has pushed into the opposition half as the central striker has occupied the two centre-backs by positioning himself in between them while the two players in the half-spaces are positioned in between the centre-backs and fullbacks. It is integral to notice that the fullback is making a run into the centre which will clear a space to the wide zone for the centre-back to work a pass to the flank for the winger who will work a one-touch pass into the half-space for the fullback who will work a cut-back into the box. The winger who will be Artur can also cut inside and have a shot on goal or attempt to lob a cross from the half-space. The fullback is also moving inside to occupy the eight-space since the ball-near free 8 has pushed up into the attacking line so the fullback can receive possession in between the lines and look to work a one-two or switch a pass to the opposite flank.

The attackers are also in positions where they can drop deeper into space to receive possession from the centre-backs in between the lines as in the situation, the ball-near attacker in the half-space can drop deeper to receive possession to work a one-touch lay-off for the fullback making a run inside who can lob a cross from the half-space or switch the ball to the far side. Red Bull Bragantino are in a situation where they can drag the opposition defensive shape out of position as a lay-off to the inverted fullback can force the ball-near opposition deepest-lying midfielder out of position to work a pass to the nine space or thread a through ball in behind to create an opportunity.

Inverted fullbacks and interchange with the wingers are an essential facet of Barbieri’s sides attacking play as in certain situations, when the fullbacks drive the ball then they will normally drive the ball into the half-space where they have the option to play the ball to the attackers inside or to the winger establishing width in the wide areas. In build-up play, the fullbacks are normally positioned deep while the wingers establish width in the wide zones which give the fullbacks to make late runs when Red Bull Bragantino are circulating play in the final third. For instance, if the winger tucks inside to receive possession and work connections in the centre then the fullback can make a late overlapping run into the wide zone as an extra man to receive a lobbed pass in the wide zone to cut-back or work a pass to the winger in the half-space. If Barbieri’s side are working combinations on one flank and are looking to switch the ball to the weak side, instead of making an overlapping run, the fullback will make a run into the half-space to receive possession and act as an extra midfielder connecting play.

Under Barbieri, Red Bull Bragantino’s attacking play relies heavily on lay-offs as these are key to the triangular passing sequences and how the Brazilian side circulate play in the final third to create shooting opportunities. When a ball is played in between the lines, a teammate will make a supporting run to receive a lay-off so he can either switch the ball into a different zone or continue to the combination in the same zone with a one-two sequence. Red Bull Bragantino’s player spacing in the final third is to create these kind of interactions as they can work an early pass in between the lines to the nine-space to lay-off for an attacking midfielder who will then switch the ball to far side or the look to thread a pass in behind into the channels for a winger or fullback to run into.

Claudinho is extremely crucial to these sequences as his moves into space to receive the ball in between the lines or in the channels with his back to the opposition goal to work lay-offs before receiving possession again while facing the opposition goal to connect play in the centre to create shooting opportunities. He can also receive possession in between the lines as he loves to turn and thread passes into the attacking line to receive lay-offs of his own and have shots on goal. The Brazilian playmaker also participates in the channels, connecting play so his team can have high quality crossing opportunities.

Right-winger, Artur is an integral player in the channels as well as left-footed right winger as he excels at receiving switch balls on the right flank and cutting inside to dink lobbed crosses into the box or have shots at goal. Once Artur receives the ball in 1v1 situations to cut inside, this allows a teammate to move into the zone in front of him to clear the space for him to cut inside as well as for his fullback to overlap to disorient the opposition defence. Once the ball is switched to Artur, the central attackers will make divergent attackers to clear a space for the Brazilian winger to make a pass inside to a teammate to have a clear-cut shooting opportunity.

In the final third, Red Bull Bragantino will utilize blind-sided movement in the final third to create space and open passing lanes in the centre to work connections in between the lines. Claudinho can normally be found in the ten space or the nine-space, making movements to receive the ball or Barbieri’s side will sometimes have the fullback make a vertical run into the centre with Claudinho’s strike partner occupying the nine-space allowing Claudinho to drop deep to receive the ball in between the lines. The movements of the fullbacks in the attacking phase are quite interesting. They are key in making movements in the half-space to clear space for the winger to cut inside or late overlapping runs once their wingers receive the ball in the wide areas.

Switching is one of the more regular attacking ploys that Red Bull Bragantino utilize in order to put their wingers in 1v1 situations against the opposition fullbacks. However, Barbieri’s side have worked moves with fullbacks making runs inside their winger before switching the ball to the opposite flank, only to switch the ball again to the fullback making a run in behind the half-space to have a shooting opportunity. Red Bull Bragantino also work triangular passing sequences in order to create crossing opportunities from the half-space as once they switch the ball, they can create a situation for a higher quality crossing opportunity from the half-space for runners in the centre and at the back-post.

Counter-pressing

Red Bull Bragantino utilize a counter-press in order to regain possession in the opposition half as well as prevent opposition counter-attacks while looking to dominate games. With their approach to positional play in the opposition half, especially the one-two combinations in between the lines, they can lose possession while they can also regularly lose possession with their crosses into the opposition box. Barbieri’s side will normally look to apply pressure on the man on the ball but with a more intense focus on press security to continue to apply pressure once the first line of counter-pressure is beaten.

When Red Bull Bragantino counter-press, the three players closest to the ball will then push up with the nearest players to the man in possession engaging the opposition player in possession while his two teammates man-mark the opposition players in that zone to force a turnover or a long-ball. This proves to be a very effective format of counter-pressing, especially when Barbieri’s side lose possession in the wide areas as it allows them to close down the opposition players in that zone and suffocate the opposition to force a turnover or prevent a counter-attack. Due to Red Bull Bragantino only using three players, their counter-press is not as ferocious as if they lose the ball in the centre the ball-near striker, winger and midfielder will move forward to apply direct pressure in the zone and the men in that area while the rest of the side can organize their defensive shape for press security.

In the counter-pressing phase, if the opposition move the ball through zones then the closest player to the opposition player in possession will be engaged to press the ball but Bragantino will usually always press the ball in units of three which will allow fullbacks and other players to retreat into their defensive position. As Red Bull Bragantino are counter-pressing the ball, they can also win interceptions in the next line as the defenders retreat to their positions. Barbieri’s players will also cover for each other as if the winger moves into the nine-space to counter-press, his striker will move to occupy his wide role or if he is one of the three attackers closest to the ball then the fullback will maintain a high position to win a turnover through an interception in the next line. Barbieri’s side utilize triangles in possession which facilitates their ability to transition and press in units of three when they cede possession as this is crucial in their effective counter-press.

When Red Bull Bragantino lose possession with crosses into the box, they are more effective with their counter-pressing as if the opposition regain possession in the box, their nearest three players can then compress the space and force a lose pass or a turnover to regain possession in the opposition box with immediacy. If the opposition manage to deflect possession out of the opposition box then they can win possession in the next line and create quick combinations to attack the opposition box. If the opposition manage to play through the first line of their counter-press then with other players retreating and Barbieri’s side counter-pressing in units of three, his side can continue to squeeze the opposition player in possession in the next line before eventually forcing a turnover and ending a counter-attack.

Pressing

Red Bull Bragantino normally press in a more traditional 4-4-2 shape but during some games they can switch to a 5-2-3 press as they will normally look to press high to win turnover in the higher areas and win possession in the opposition half. Barbieri can tweak his press to fit certain in game situations, especially with the positioning and timing of pressure from the wingers in his 4-4-2 press while the 39-year-old manager can also switch to a 5-2-3 to gain better defensive solidity and coverage in his press while still looking to use a higher defensive line.

The above situation is an example of Red Bull Bragantino adjusting in the pressing phase against Fernando Diniz’ Sao Paulo who will use their midfield double-pivot as centre-backs before moving the centre-backs into fullback roles. In the picture, the strikers are applying the press to the opposition centre-backs with the ball-near striker directly engaging the centre-back in his zone and forcing the pass to his centre-back partner before his strike partner will push up to apply the press. The wingers have taken more narrow positions and are marking the space in between the fullbacks and the centre-backs as Barbieri tasked them with staying deeper as if the deeper-lying midfielders move into the centre-back positions with the centre-backs moving into the fullback roles, the wingers will engage the centre-backs if the ball is played to them and apply the press. However, if the midfielders remain in their positions and the ball is played to the fullbacks, Red Bull Bragantino’s double-pivot will man-mark Sao Paulo’s double-pivot while the ball-near winger will push up to mark his fullback as the ball-far winger will tuck inside to secure the middle with the midfielders while also looking to intercept switch balls.

Barbieri’s adaptation to Diniz’ Sao Paulo was allowing the opposition to form their shape before players adjust to their man-orientations as his side press in a less stringent 4-4-2 than other sides that operate with a 4-4-2 high press. Diniz’ Sao Paulo would also switch to a three-chain with a midfielder dropping in between the centre-backs as the front two were tasked with marking the three-chain while the wingers retreated to a deeper and more central shape, only engaging the opposition when their fullbacks received possession.

Normally, the strikers are initially tasked with pressing the centre-backs while the wingers are initially tasked with pressing the fullbacks but the wingers will sometimes also tuck inside to press. For instance, if the ball is worked back to the goalkeeper then the strikers will both push forward to apply pressure on the goalkeeper while the wingers will tuck inside to press the centre-backs to deny them passing access to the fullbacks with more active pressure while the midfield double-pivot denies the centre-backs access to their midfielders. In other situations, the wingers will continue to mark the space in between the opposition centre-back and midfielder even when the centre-back is holding the ball in the wide areas as the striker is still marking the centre-back with his winger positioned directly behind him. If the centre-back carries the ball past the striker then the winger will engage the centre-back with the striker covering for him by marking the fullback while their ball-near midfielder will close down the opposition’s deepest-lying midfielder in the six-space to force a turnover or a long-ball.

Another way that Red Bragantino press is with both strikers moving to the same flank to press the opposition with the strikers pressing the centre-backs and the goalkeeper as in certain situations as if the opposition the move the ball to the opposite flank, one of the midfielders will push up into the front line to mark the opposition player on the ball. This will be facilitated by the ball-far winger tucking inside to move closer to the midfielder as if the opposition move the ball to the fullback, the winger will move out to close down the fullback with the midfielder dropping into his natural position while the strikers will continue to close down the opposition centre-backs. Barbieri utilizes an element of flexibility when pressing the opposition while encouraging his players to cover for each other when they move out of position to regain possession.

Red Bull Bragantino will also press in a 5-2-3 shape as they will switch to this shape after defending in their 5-3-2/5-4-1 defensive shape as they specifically look to apply pressure on the opposition goalkeeper. The two wide attackers will be tasked with marking the opposition centre-backs while the central attacker will mark the opposition goalkeeper as the wide attackers will also be tasked with covering the passing lane from the centre-backs to the midfielders. If the opposition manage to bypass pressure then the two midfielders will be man-marking the opposition double-pivot with the wing-backs marking the opposition fullbacks as Red Bull Bragantino look to win turnovers in the opposition half to create opportunities with quick combinations.

Defensive Shape

Red Bull Bragantino usually defend in 4-4-2 shape, closing down the central spaces and looking to force the opposition into the wide areas as they look to close down the opposition in the wide areas before looking to counter-attack. Barbieri will also usually look to defend in a 5-4-1/5-3-2/4-5-1 shape with one of the wingers dropping into the defensive line, especially as the opposition get deeper into the opposition half. The Brazilian side will look to deny the opposition passing access to the central lines by squeezing the space in the pockets and force the opposition into 2v1/3v2 in the wide areas while the winger in the defensive line will push up to press if the ball is played to his flank.

In the situation above, Red Bull Bragantino are defending in a 4-4-2 medium block looking to close down Sao Paulo’s wide combinations by denying the player in possession passing options in the half-space. There are two players in the half-space as Sao Paulo could work a move where one player pushes forward while the other drops deep to receive possession. The effectiveness of this sort of blind-sided movement and combination is negated by Red Bull Bragantino keeping tight spaces in between the opposition lines. There are two midfielders denying Sao Paulo passing access to their midfielders in between the lines as one of the midfielders would have to drop in front of the midfielders to receive possession which would mean the striker would drop deep to regain possession as Barbieri’s side could win a turnover in a 3v1 situation. Forcing the opposition to drop in front of the second line to receive the ball allows Red Bull Bragantino to hold a rigid shape.

Barbieri’s front-two is active in the defensive shape as if the ball is played back to the centre-backs and the goalkeeper, the strikers will push up to lead the pressure phase by applying pressure on the centre-backs and the goalkeeper. However, the ball-near striker can also move across to apply pressure on the player in possession as Red Bull Bragantino have coverage on that flank. If the player in possession works the ball back into the centre to the centre-backs, his strike partner will then apply the pressure as if the ball is played back to the goalkeeper then both strikers will move forward to force a long ball or a turnover. The high positioning of the defensive line is also key to restraining Sao Paulo in this situation as if they play a ball in between the lines then the defenders can push up to regain possession. The ball-far winger, Artur is marking the ball-far fullback in case the opposition move the ball back to the goalkeeper and he looks to switch a pass to the opposite flank or Sao Paulo work a direct switch as Artur would then lead the pressure phase against the opposition winger. Artur’s wider positioning on the opposition fullback would also allow his own fullback to tuck inside as the defensive line seek to shift to the opposite flank to apply pressure on the ball and gain coverage in the wide areas.

Throughout games, Red Bull Bragantino will regularly switch to a back-five or a midfield five, especially in their deeper defensive shape as they look to maintain two rigid and tight lines in the centre, denying the opposition access to their central attackers and forcing them into the wide areas where the deeper winger can push up to press or where they can regain possession with a numerical superiority. The ball-far winger will normally be the player tasked with dropping into the defensive line to create a back-five so his teammates can shift to the far side while his ball-near striker will drop into the midfield line to create a line of four.

In the situation above, Red Bull Bragantino are defending in their 5-4-1 shape as the ball-far winger has dropped into the defensive line while Barbieri’s side are still looking to close the central passing lanes with the two opposition midfielders closely marked by Red Bull Bragantino’s double-pivot. The opposition are looking to work a pass down the line as the Brazilian side would be able to show their numerical superiority in this situation. A pass down the line would lead to the ball-near fullback being a direct marker for the opposition player in possession while he would be supported by his centre-back as the deepest-lying midfielder would also move closer to the flank with the ball-near winger. Red Bull Bragantino could have a 4v1, 4v2, 4v3 situation on the flank where they would be able to regain possession and work quick connections to start the counter-attack.

If the opposition player in possession manages to get out of the situation and play the ball to his deepest-lying midfielder in the six-space, Red Bull Bragantino’s lone striker would drop deeper while the two midfielders would push up with the striker trying to make a challenge on the opposition midfielder’s blind-side while the midfielders deny him passing access to the central pockets and will look to push up and compress space the longer the midfielder holds the ball to force a turnover, back-pass or a pass into the wide areas. The effectiveness of the opposition switching the ball would also be negated by the use of the ball-far winger as a wing-back as if the opposition switch the ball to the far side then the winger could directly mark the opposition winger to force a back-pass. Forcing a back-pass would be crucial as Barbieri’s side are well positioned to switch into their 5-2-3 pressing shape with the wide attackers pressing the centre-backs and the central striker pushing up to apply pressure on the goalkeeper to force a turnover.

The key tenet of Red Bull Bragantino’s defensive shape is protecting the centre and forcing the opposition out wide despite the shape they play as they are always well positioned to have numerical superiority in the wide areas. Sideways and backwards passes in any zone are also some of the key triggers for Barbieri’s side to push up and press the opposition as forcing the opposition into the wide areas where they can maintain numerical superiority before forcing the opposition into playing a back-pass where the Brazilian side can push up to apply pressure on the opposition to force a turnover.

In the situation above, the opposition are deep in the Red Bull Bragantino half as the Brazilian side have prioritised closing down the spaces in the centre in a 4-4-2 shape as two opposition wingers have been granted yards of space in the wide areas as the Brazilian side look to cover passing lanes in the central areas. The midfielders are looking to cover the spaces in between the centre-back and fullback to prevent the opposition from threading through balls into that area while the wingers have both tucked inside to close down opposition players who have moved into the centre. Every opposition player in the centre of the pitch is tightly marked as Red Bull Bragantino look to force the switch ball to the flank where the winger and fullback will shift across in a 2v1 situation against the opposition wide player or a back-pass where they can transition into a higher press.

In terms of counter-attacking situations, Red Bull Bragantino’s close player spacing in the defensive shape allows them to facilitate quick passing sequences in tight situations before a long-pass to the striker or a switch pass to a winger on the flank who will be in a 1v1 situation against an opposition defender where he can hold his marker and wait for runners overlapping him and running inside before threading a pass to the wide areas or cutting inside. In the situation above, Claudinho is in a high position in the corner of the screen as he can receive an early pass to hold up play and work a one-two with a teammate making a run into the half-space before switching the ball to the opposite flank to facilitate his side transitioning into a counter-attack.

Conclusion

Mauricio Barbieri is one of the more enthusing young managers in Brazilian football as at some point in the last year, fans of the Brazilian giants like Flamengo were making pleas on social media for their clubs to hire him as Red Bull Bragantino responded by extending his contract until the end of 2022. His club was fighting relegation at the beginning of last season but ended earning a place in the Copa Sudamericana and are now in the knockout stage. The fast-paced nature of Brazilian football mean that his fortunes could turn as they have turned in the past as he would be a fantastic candidate for many sides in the Portuguese Primera Liga as well as most teams in the French Ligue 1 as the European footballing calendar is more forgiving than the South American one. At 39, he has a wealth of experience and an entertaining brand of football which could mean that he gets an opportunity abroad at some point.