Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid: A Tactical Analysis - Defending in the 4-2-3-1

This book contains a full analysis of Real Madrid’s defending tactics which have been so important to their success. They scored 121 goals in La Liga and this book shows Real’s 4-2-3-1 system of play, each player’s responsibilities, positioning and movement within every possible phase of play.

The defensive phase was key for Real Madrid and the main features were applying pressure near the opposition’s penalty area to regain the ball, aggressive zonal marking across the whole pitch, using intelligent positioning to double mark opposing players and Xabi Alonso’s great tactical awareness.

Terzis Athanasios is a Tactical Professor of Football and has compiled an extensive assessment of Real Madrid’s defensive play after over 1000 hours of studying all the games from the 2011-12 season. Real Madrid won the La Liga title, beating Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team, one of the most successful club sides in history, by 9 points.

The book starts with the characteristics of the players and builds into a comprehensive overview of the defensive tactics employed with clear diagrams and detailed descriptions.

Session and Practice Topic SAMPLES:

• Strategies used to counter specific formations (the 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-3-2-1, and the 5-4-1).
• Goal Side Marking and Tracking Runs: Providing Security<
• Pressure, Cover, Support and Pressing
• Closing Passing Options inside: Forcing Play down the Line
• Defending from set-pieces

Full Book Contents: Click Here