False 9
The False 9, in some ways, similar to a more advanced attacking midfielder/playmaker role, is an unconventional lone striker or centre-forward, who drops deep into midfield. The purpose of this is that it creates a problem for opposing center backs who can either follow him, leaving space behind them for onrushing midfielders, forwards or wingers to exploit, or leaving him have time and space to dribble or pick out a pass.
Key attributes for a False 9 are similar to those of a deep lying striker, dribbling ability to take advantage of space between the lines, good short passing ability to link up with the midfield and vision to play through team-mates making runs from deep.
One of the first examples of a False 9 system is Roma under Luciano Spalletti who used Francesco Totti, nominally a trequartista, up-front in an innovative "4-6-0" formation, this was met with a run of 11 consecutive victories. Lionel Messi was often famously used as a false 9 under Guardiola at Barcelona. Arsenal FC under Arséne Wenger utilised Robin van Persie as a False 9, often partnering with Theo Walcott who would move into the box from the flanks, in a false 4-2-3-1. At Euro 2012, Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, although sometimes using a typical striker in Fernando Torres, used a false 9 in Cesc Fàbregas in several matches, including the final. Luis Suarez has also been mentioned as a False 9 player by manager Brendan Rodgers.
Read more about this topic: Forward (association Football)
Famous quotes containing the word false:
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