AN INTRODUCTION TO ROBERTO DE ZERBI'S IMPACT
Ever since Roberto De Zerbi took charge of Brighton on September 18th, 2022, Brighton's tactics have been one that football fans and analysts across the world observe in awe. From revolutionary build-up play, to smooth transitions that has caught the likes of managers like Klopp, Brighton's system has undergone a major boost under De Zerbi. Let's look at some of the key principles and tactics that De Zerbi has brought to the club, in three elements: Build-up, Transition and Pressing
BUILD-UP PLAY
Brighton usually line up in a 4-3-2-1. However, this shape is rarely maintained, when an attacking midfielder and the striker drop down slightly to support the transition, the shape switches to a 2-4-2-2. This allows, in effect, a double box -- one in the midfield, one in the defense, which goes a long way in providing numerical advantages and overloads. To address this dangerous double box structure, the opposition have two options: An immediate man-to-man mark – Which leaves a lot of space in the final third, or sending a center-back into the midfield, in which case, Brighton have an overload of 8 v 7 players in their own half.
While most managers look to limit the number of players involved in build-up play to allow numerical advantages in the attack and the final third, Roberto De Zerbi involves two holding midfielders, the center-backs, the full-backs and the goalkeeper, in a 7 man, passing-sequence-geared build-up system.
This system is fantastic, in the way that it creates passing triangles, such as the ones seen in a 4-3-3 system (Read more about the 4-3-3 at https://www.uniscorefootball.xyz/post/beginner-s-guide-to-football-analysis-understanding-the-tactics-of-the-4-3-3-formation). With the awareness, and skill of the players involved in the build-up, Brighton are able to effortlessly, and beautifully transfer the ball from one channel to another, using intricate passing sequences.
Another important benefit of this 7 man build-up, is that it forces the opposition to commit a great number of players to the high press, allowing the attackers to find themselves in exploitable pockets of space between the lines. Throughout this season and the last, we've of course seen the Brighton center-backs place their sole on the ball, seemingly teasing the press of the opposition. This behavior is part of an elaborate 'inviting the press' tactic of Brighton, where they look to bait the opposition players to commit to the high press, so that a simple line breaking pass can take several players out of the game at once, and create attacking threats. De Zerbi's strategy frequently include putting the opposition under pressure. This is a fundamental tactic that gives his teams the ability to control the defensive form of the opposition and establish numerical advantages in their own half. They look to destabilize the opposition's defensive line, create space, and allow the attacking players to pass by opening pathways by inviting pressure.
THE TRANSITION
The goal of every passing sequence is to free up space for a player, allowing a counter-attack. This may involve indirect passing sequences to allow a player to reach a better region, or draw out opposition players who are a threat to the transition. De Zerbi places an extreme importance on the ‘third man principle,’ where an unmarked player enters a strategic area to receive the ball, and take players out of the game with no trouble – An important tactic in positional play.
The effectiveness of the third man depends solely upon the player's awareness and vision. Brighton have perfected the art of the third man, with players often entering spaces just to lay off line-breaking diagonal passes, to enter into the final third quickly. The efficient use of the third man makes almost every Brighton movement with the ball look like an attacking threat. The effect of the third man principle can be seen with the fact that Pascal Gross is currently 15th in the league for key passes, while last year, Lewis Dunk and Gross were in the top 20 players for attacking threats from a pass
THE PRESSING STRATEGY
When out of possession, Brighton will shift to a 4-4-2 in effect, with a line of four midfielders. When pressing, the two forwards look to initiate by going directly for the ball, while the wingers tuck in to create a sort of 4-4-2 diamond structure, which is incredibly compact, and has result in a high rate of turnovers
So there it is, the breakdown of Brighton under Robert De Zerbi, and his winning formula. If you enjoyed this article and want to read more from our writers,
Read more about the history of football tactics: https://www.uniscorefootball.xyz/post/football-history-and-the-evolution-of-football-tactics
Read our Arsenal analysis: https://www.uniscorefootball.xyz/post/the-art-of-scoring-and-the-surge-of-arsenal-under-mikel-arteta
Learn about the 4-3-3 formation and its principles: https://www.uniscorefootball.xyz/post/beginner-s-guide-to-football-analysis-understanding-the-tactics-of-the-4-3-3-formation