Season 2: Tactics Page;  Episode 7: Patterns of play brought to life (Through the Middle and Direct)

Soccerblog, Soccermanager, Soccertactics 3 Minutes

” I only have one understanding of development and of making success, and that’s by going step by step” : Jurgen Klopp

📢FAVORITE SYSTEM ALERT! FAVORITE SYSTEM ALERT!📢

Now that the cat’s out of the bag (as well as the sirens) let’s get straight into our next pattern of play, shall we…

Today we’re taking a look at, in my opinion, the BEST system Soccermanger has to offer: THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND DIRECT. This system gives me wet dreams as I absolutey love every aspect of it. When implementing this pattern of play the main aim will be to move the ball rapidly while maintaing a central overload in order to cause your opposition to make mental errors while defending. The key to this system when in possession will be a huge emphasis on having players “between the lines”. Put simply, playing between the lines means that a number of players are looking to find space between the opposition’s midfield and defence, as well in between their attack and midfield (the latter will be done primarily by ‘Deep-lying Playmakers’). What this does is allow your players to get into a position where they can effectively causea lot of havoc because your players’ postitioning makes them difficult to pick up.

Not only will your players look to operate between the lines, but this system is also a ‘Wide Forwards’ dream as it allows them to constantly make “out to in” runs in between the ‘Fullback’ and Centerback due to the nature of direct passing (think Salah and Mané at Liverpool or Ronaldo and Bale at Real Madrid). It is also worth mentioning that the direct style means that your players will be running at the opposition with pace and precision and doing this in central areas makes it all the more challenging for the opposition to prevent it from happening. You need intelligent players who are incredibly good at finding pockets of space as well as making intelligent runs to get the best out of the Through the Middle and Direct.

For today’s illustration, we will be using two different teams playing two different formations. The first team will be Liverpool from a match in 2018 vs Manchester City at Anfield

An image of LIverpool setting up in their traditional 4-3-3 A formation
In this image, we can see Liverpool operating with their Through the Middle style with thier Midfielders (yellow circles) and Forwards (orange circles) all operating in the central region of the pitch.
An illustration of the Midfielders operating “between the lines”. A ball to any in this position means immediate danger for City defensively
An image of the Through The Middle and Direct in action as both ‘Wide Forwards’ are looking to make runs in behind the City defence, plus both Midfielders have found space between the lines and are now ahead of City’s DM(C) which has the potential to take him out of this play.
Another image showcasing the eagerness for Forward players playing this system to make runs in behind. Additionally, notice that yet again the midfielders find themselves in between the lines and are in arces of space. The man on the ball (Joel Matip, white circle) has various options due to this set up.
A final image showcasing the ‘Wide Forwards’ hunger within this system to make runs into goal scoring positions. Salah has found himself between City’s DLC and DM(L) (an ideal position for Liverpool’s set up) and is looking to receive a through ball from Wijnaldum.

Up next, we take a look at a team playing Through the Middle and Direct but with a 4-2-3-1 A formation, to illustrate the difference between both. The team in question is a Chelsea team who played Crystal Palace back in 2019 at Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea setting up in a 4-2-3-1 A formation
A different formation but the principles remain the same: Chelsea’s double pivot (yellow cirlces), The 3 Attacking midfilders (purple circles) who are all operating in between the lines, and the Striker (red circle) making space for teamates and being a ‘Target Man’ figure up front. Notice how all 6 circled players are operating in central regions of the pitch.
The beauty of the 4-2-3-1A formation and the T.T.M playing style is that it allows players to switch positions frequently, causing the opposition’s defence a tun of problems. Notice that Mateo Kovačić (yellow circle) has made his way in between the lines causing even more of an overload.
The last 3 images will be an ilustration of how your attackers look to manipulate the ball while playing direct passing. Here, Mateo Kovačić plays a crossfield ball towards Christian Pulisic
Pulisic now drives towards goal (another inidcation of the Through the Middle aspect of their system)
Pulisic continues to drive at Palace’s defence. Notice how his teammates have made runs to open up extra space for him.

And there we have it, folks. Another episode completed within our tactics marathon… I hope this was helpful, and wish you all the best on your journey towards becoming the best manager that you can be!

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