Defending Tactics

Ajax Error, Recovery

1-1 Draw On Sept. 23rd; Ajax Survive Flat Performance

A mistake in the back as Ajax attempted to play out of the back nearly costs the perennial Dutch power, but sharp reactions and defending averts the danger.  While it might be a case of two points lost, ADO Den Haag are a surprise this season currently in 7th place, while Ajax sit 4th.

In pictures, some highlights of the defensive phase of the play:

Ajax, in white, achieve their attacking shape, but the left back is dispossessed.  This frame shows the ADO winger just taking his touch past the wing back, with the holding center mid (red circle) stepping out to challenge...

...but he misses the tackle and the counter attack is on.  The two Ajax center backs, knowing they have two forwards to account for, drop fast, but on lines (red arrows) that allow them to continue tracking the two central attackers.  The dashed yellow line is where a youth player tends to run (often at the behest of an ill-informed but well-intentioned parent) clearly leaving a single back to handle the two attackers.  Never mind that leaving the middle is so predictable that the ball carrier will hardly notice the central player running out at him because his two teammates (now in a 2 v. 1) will look like unmissable targets, but there is virtually no chance of a central defender getting there in time!

Two things that separate the amateurs from the pros.  A; the central mid who missed the saving tackle wastes no time on feeling sorry about it.  He's up, and recovers to the inside of the winger with the ball, ensuring that a pass central is difficult, and that there is not a chance to dribble centrally and create a better angle to score from.  B; the goalkeeper is seen as a integral part of the defense.  Notice the two center backs are not helping near the ball at all- this is because the GK is viewed here as the covering defender, not just a block against a shot.  The central mid needs no one else around him at this time because any tackle, loose ball, long touch or mistake will be covered up by the GK.

The center backs are covering the two runners in the penalty area, waiting to defend a pass or cross, or clear away rebounds.  The goalkeeper and the central mid are forcing the attacker into the yellow box where his angle to shoot is poor (and eminently predictable) and any pass back to his teammates is easily read and cut out by the center backs.  In the end, he chooses to challenge the GK, and misses at the front post.  While no team wants to give up such chances, because of the quick recovery of the Ajax midfielder, and the understanding of the goalkeeper's role in such a situation by all players involved, the chance is very limited.

Concluding Thoughts

While some will point out this is the inherent danger of playing out of the back- the central defenders split apart by some 40 yards, the wing backs high up the field - and offer situations like these as reasons teams should stay buttoned-up and safe, it is not unlike the argument surrounding defending corner kicks.  The logic there is that every time a team which doesn't put defenders on both posts concedes at an uncovered post, it is shouted to the heavens about the riskiness of the decision not to mark that post.  But for every corner that fails to score, the opposite is never heard: the team survived because the extra player who would have been on the post in another set-up was able to help frustrate the attack.  Playing out of the back is the same way.  Barca, Ajax and Swansea, as well as many other top-flight teams who play this way, will give up some absolutely disastrous goals as shown by Barca in this link.  But it's tough to know how many goals they won't give up with the extra minutes of possession their styles of play gain them.

However, even such frightening moments can be overcome by disciplined 1v1 defending, complete understanding of other player's roles on the field (recall...it is a central mid who knows exactly how to guide the winger into the GK's cover...at a lesser level he might be forgiven if he doesn't account for the GK as covering defender).  While the midfielder is working very hard, the other three Ajax defenders involved are fairly relaxed...they get to their spots, manage their responsibilities and trust that those around them will do the same.  Absolute understanding of the situation, their roles, and trust in the execution of their teammates.  An ugly situation turned fine example of professionalism on the pitch.