False nines? 4-4-2? The tactical trends defining World Cup so far
Summary
The article explains new and familiar football tactics seen in the 2024 World Cup after twelve games. Teams are returning to the 4-4-2 formation and using diagonal passing to create attacking chances.Key Facts
- The 4-4-2 formation, popular in early 2000s Premier League, is widely used by teams like Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Brazil, Haiti, Scotland, and Japan.
- Teams often defend in a mid-block form in 4-4-2, which balances wide coverage but leaves gaps between midfield and defense.
- Intense pressing is used at key moments rather than all game, due to heat and player stamina.
- Teams like Mexico, Morocco, and Germany have scored quickly after forcing turnovers from pressing.
- Diagonal passing from wide to central positions helps attackers find better scoring opportunities.
- Defending teams with flat lines of players find it harder to cover diagonal attacking moves.
- Brazil used a 4-2-4 shape with two central midfielders, which created vulnerable spaces on the far side.
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