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A Chance for You to Learn Mourinho's 4-2-3-1
System of Play, Tactics, Each Player’s Responsibilities,
Positioning & Movement With Every Possible Phase of Play

The long awaited study of Jose Mourinho’s tactics is finally here with an extensive analysis of his Real Madrid team’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

You can now see a full analysis of Real Madrid’s attacking and 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 attacking phase was key for Real Madrid and the main features were creating width, maintaining superiority in numbers around the ball zone, long diagonal passes, in/out swinging crosses from the flank and Ronaldo’s efficiency in front of goal.

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.

Both Attacking and Defending books starts with the characteristics of the players and builds into a comprehensive overview of the attacking and defensive tactics employed with clear diagrams and detailed descriptions.

This gives you a unique opportunity to use the same 4-2-3-1
pattern of plays that Jose Mourinho's used for his winning
Real Madrid team.. Integrate them into your sessions Now!
This Attacking and Defending
2-book set includes:
Pages: 530
Diagrams: 681
Coaching Topics: 234
Printed: B/W
See full coaching topics below:

What's Included in the ATTACKING Part of this Book

3 Stages of the Build up & the Target Areas
Movement with and without the Ball
Retaining Possession in the Central Zone
Central Midfield Passing Options
Switching Play
Passing Combinations after Long Pass
Transition from Defense to Attack
Counter Attacking
Plus a lot more - See Full Book Contents below
What's Included in the DEFENDING Part of this Book

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
Plus a lot more - See Full Book Contents below

Don’t miss this unbelievable chance for you to learn Jose Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1, how the team play and adapt their tactics to all conceivable situations. Their attacking and defensive play is key to their great success and the blueprint is available right here for you to learn and apply the same tactics for your team.

ATTACKING Book Contents
How the Phases of Play were produced for this Book
How to use use this Content in your Practices and Sessions
How to use use this Content in your Practices and Sessions
Example Practice
Practice Progression
Introduction

Chapter 1
The Characteristics of Real Madrid players
The Players
Jose Mourinho
Real Madrid’s First 11 and Player positions in the 4-2-3-1 System of Play

Chapter 2
Real Madrid in the four phases of the game
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase
Real Madrid in the Transition from Attack to Defence
Real Madrid in the Attacking Phase
Real Madrid in the Transition from Defence to Attack

Chapter 3
Real Madrid in the Attacking Phase
Real Madrid’s Formations during the Attacking Phase
The Width on the Left Is Created by the Winger
The Width on the Right Is Created by the Winger
Playing with 2 Forwards
Both the Winger and the Full Back Create Width
The Centre Forward Drops Deep on the Strong Side
Central Defender Build up Play from the Back
The 3 Stages of the Build up & the Target Areas
The Target Areas
Retaining the Team’s Balance during the Build up
Positioning: Creating the Correct Shapes
Movement with and without the Ball
Forwards: Rotating Positions

Chapter 4
Real Madrid during the Build up
Real Madrid during the Build up Play on the Left Side with the Width Created by the Full Back
Numerical Superiority in the Centre
Defensive Midfielder’s Passing Options
Full Back’s Movement inside
Creating Space to Receive on the Left Flank
Receiving with Your Back to Goal
Long Passes to Advancing Full Backs
Rhombus/diamond Shape in the Central Zone
Defensive Midfielder’s Positioning
Starting the Build up through the Centre with the Width Created by the Full Backs
Retaining Possession in the Central Zone
Alonso’s Role: Covering in Defence
Developing the Build up Play through the Centre
Defensive Midfielder at the Base of the Rhombus Shape
Decision Making in the Final Third
Starting the Build up on the Right with the Width Created by the Full Back
The Right Winger Dropping Deep to Maintain Possession
Centre Forward Receiving on the Flank
Movement without the Ball: Creating Space
Diagonal Runs in the Final Third
Central Midfielder’s Forward Runs
Deep Movement: Creating Space in behind
Central Midfield Passing Options
2 v 1 Attacking Down the Flank
Central Midfield Passing Options (2)
Correct Positioning When the Central Midfielder Has Possession
Starting the Build up on the Left with Both the Full Back and the Winger Creating Width
2 v 2 Attacking Down the Left Flank
Switching Play to the Right Flank
Ronaldo’s Driving Runs from the Left
Attacking Midfielder Receiving Vertical Passes from Central Defenders
Attacking Midfielder: Dropping Deep to Receive
Starting the Build up on the Right with Both the Winger and the Full Back Creating Width
Wingers Movement inside without the Ball
Limited Space in between the Midfield and Defensive Lines
Full Back’s Advancing Run
Receiving in the ‘Passing Lane’
Switching Play to the Left Flank
Right Winger’s inside Runs
Starting the Build up on the Left with the Width Created by the Winger
Switching Play from the Right to the Left
Full Back’s Overlapping Runs on the Flank
Diagonal Runs in behind the Defensive Line
The Full Back Creating Space for the Winger
One Touch Combination Play on the Left
Ronaldo’s Final Pass in behind the Defence
Starting the Build up on the Right with the Width Created by the Winger
The Right Winger Receiving the Ball Deep on the Flank
Chapter 5
Combinations after a Long Pass towards the Weak Side of the Opposition
The Long Pass is Directed towards the Left Side and the Full Back Provides Width
Long Pass: Switching Play to the Left Back with Time and Space
The Long Pass is Directed towards the Left and the Winger Provides the Width
Ronaldo in Space on the Left Flank
The Full Back in the Final Third
Full Back’s Overlapping Run on the Left Flank
Centre Forward Runs in behind the Right Back
The Long Pass towards the Left with Both the Full Back and the Winger Providing Width
Positioning for the Negative Transition
Diagonal Runs/Passes in the Final Third
The Long Pass Is Directed towards the Right and the Full Back Provides Width
Right Winger with Back to Goal on the Flank
Centre Forward Runs in behind the Left Back
The Long Pass Is Directed towards the Right and the Winger Provides Width
Right Back’s Overlapping Runs on the Flank
Outnumbering the Opposition on the Flank
Long Diagonal Pass to the Centre Forward
Building up from the Back Using a Long Ball

Chapter 6
Transitions
Retaining Possession
Applying Immediate Pressure When Possession Is Lost
Defensive Midfielder Maintaining Balance and Cohesion
The Negative Transition
Winning the Ball Back in the Central Zone
When Immediate Regaining of Possession is Not Possible
Preventing the Switch of Play
Safety Players
Team Cohesion: Regaining Possession
Safety Players: The Left Side
Regaining Possession in the Centre of the Field
Safety Players: Ronaldo’s Driving Runs
Limiting Passing Options for the New Ball Carrier
Safety Players: Full Back’s inside Movement
Winning the Ball Back in an Advanced Wide Position
Safety Players: Alonso’s Covering on the Left Side
Keeping the Opposition near the Sideline
Safety Players: In the Centre of the Field
Losing Possession near the Opposition Penalty Area
Safety Players: Advanced Supporting Positions
Losing Possession near the Opposition Penalty Area (2)
Safety Players: Supporting the Forward
Cohesion: Closing down in Numbers
Safety Players: The Right Side
Safety Players: Inside Right Positions
Creating a 5v2 Numerical Advantage around the Ball Zone
Safety Players: The Right Flank
Tracking Runners on a Counter Attack
Safety Players: The Right Flank (2)
Tracking Runners on a Counter Attack (2)
Safety Players: Alonso’s Covering Position
Ensuring Superiority in Numbers at the Back
Safety Players: Khedira’s Advanced Position
Shifting across into Covering Positions
Safety Players: Support Play near the Penalty Area
Superiority in Numbers High up the Pitch
Safety Players: Near to the Byline
Positioning for Clearances from Crosses

Transition from Defence to Attack
Switching Play from the Strong Side to the Weak Side
Transition to the Final Attacking Stage
Applying Immediate Pressure on the Ball Carrier
Pressing near the sideline: Quick Counter Attack
Counter Attack from a Defensive Clearance

Chapter 7
Real Madrid's Attacking from Set Pieces
Corner Kicks
Free Kicks near the Sideline
Playing with 10 Men
Conclusion

DEFENDING Book Contents
How the Phases of Play were produced for this Book
How to use use this Content in your Practices and Sessions
How to use use this Content in your Practices and Sessions
Example Practice
Practice Progression
Introduction

Chapter 1
The Characteristics of Real Madrid players
The Players
Jose Mourinho
Real Madrid’s First 11 and Player positions in the 4-2-3-1 System of Play

Chapter 2
Real Madrid in the four phases of the game
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase
Real Madrid in the Transition from Attack to Defence
Real Madrid in the Attacking Phase
Real Madrid in the Transition from Defence to Attack

Chapter 3
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase
No Risky (Goal Side Marking)
Aggressive Marking
Defensive Positions in a Closed Ball Situation
Defending a Winger’s Wide Positioning
Transition from a Closed Ball Situation to an Open Ball Situation
The Back Four Defending an Open Ball Situation
Situations When the Aggressive Marking of the Forwards Was Not Possible
Maintaining Safety and Balance in an Open Ball Situation: Central Midfielder in Space
Goal Side Marking and Tracking Runs: Providing Security
Providing Cover When Using Aggressive Marking
Abandoning Aggressive Marking to Maintain Balance
The Full Back’s Positioning on the Weak Side
Defending near the Side of the Penalty Area
Defending near the Sidelines
Defending near the Sidelines and Close to the Penalty Area on Real’s Left Side
Defending near the Sidelines and Close to the Penalty Area on Real’s Right Side
Collaboration of the Full Back with the Defensive Midfielder and Winger during Aggressive Marking on Real’s Right Side
Defending When Di Maria’s Positioning Was Poor
Dealing with the Numerical Disadvantage on Real’s Left Side
Alonso’s Role: Defending in Wide Areas
Central Defender Providing Cover for the Full Back
Defensive Midfielder Tracking the Advancing Full Back’s Run down the Flank
Coping with Ronaldo’s Poor Defensive Positioning
Balanced Positions in an Unbalanced Team
Balanced Position
Positioning against Barcelona When They Are Building up Play from the Back
Collaboration between the Centre Forward and the Attacking Midfielder during the Pressing application
Pressure on the Central Defender Receiving the Ball from the Goalkeeper
Team Cohesion: Creating a Strong Side
Pressure on the Goalkeeper
Limiting Passing Options for the Central Defenders
Collaboration of the Wingers and the Defensive Midfielders
Preventing Midfielders Receiving Short Passes from the Defenders
Preventing the Right Back Receiving from the Central Defender
Pressing High up the Pitch: Benzema Is the First Defender
Pressing High up the Pitch: Ronaldo Is the First Defender
Pressing High up the Pitch against the 4-2-3-1
Pressing High up the Pitch against the 4-3-3
Pressing High up the Pitch against the 4-3-3 (2)

Chapter 4
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-4-2
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-4-2
Keeping the Ball near the Sideline and Preventing the Switch of Play
Extensive Shift towards the Strong Side to Create a Numerical Advantage around the Ball Zone
Getting Multiple Players around the Ball Carrier: Regaining Possession
Creating a Numerical Advantage in and around the Ball Zone
Using Body Shape to Prevent Potential Passes
Applying Pressure When Both Real Wingers Are in Balanced Positions
Pressing High up the Pitch and Covering Positions
Defending Build up Play down the Flank
Defending a Goalkeeper’s Pass to a Full Back
Creating a Numerical Advantage near to the Opposition’s Penalty Area
Chapter 5
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-2-3-1
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-2-3-1
Aggressive Goal Side Marking
Balanced Positioning in the Pressing Application
Utilising Balanced Positions to Cover 2 Potential Ball Receivers
Defending against a Central Defender Carrying the Ball Out from the Back
The Opposition Full Back Receives the Ball on the Halfway Line
The Opposition Play across the Back Line with the Goalkeeper

Chapter 6
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-3-3
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-3-3
Defending against Opposition Winger’s Movement inside and Overlapping Runs of the Full Backs
Marking Forwards Who Drop Deep to Receive
Closing Passing Options inside: Forcing Play down the Line
Defending a Long Pass towards the Forward
Defending a 2 v 2 Situation by the Sideline
Defending a Goalkeeper’s Pass to a Midfielder
Closing down Short Passes High up the Pitch
Preventing the Opposition Moving the Ball to the Weak Side

Chapter 7
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-3-1-2
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 4-3-1-2
Triple Marking the Receiver near the Penalty Area
Preventing Vertical Passes and Creating Superiority in Numbers around the Ball Zone
Preventing the Switch of Play
Closing Passing Options inside: Forcing Play down the Line
Creating a Strong Side to Limit the Opposition
Defending a Long Kick towards the Advanced Full Back

Chapter 8
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 5-4-1
Real Madrid in the Defensive Phase against the 5-4-1
Closing down the Midfielders Receiving Short Passes from the Defenders
Preventing the Ball Carrier from Passing or Turning High up the Pitch
Defending against a Team Playing across the Back Line
Defending a Pass Out Wide to the Left Wing Back
Defending a Pass Out Wide to the Right Wing Back

Chapter 9
Defending on the Weak Side
Defending on the Weak Side
Defending a Switch of Play to the Weak Side
Defending a 2 v 2 in an Advanced Position on the Flank
Coping with Ronaldo’s Poor Defensive Positioning
Defending an Advancing Full Back’s inside Run
Defending an Advancing Full Back’s inside Run (2)
Defending the Centre Forward’s Movement towards the Sideline
Defending the Attacking Midfielder’s Movement towards the Sideline

Chapter 10
Defending when Pressing Application was not Possible
Defending when Pressing Application was not Possible
The Opposition Have Space to Bring the Ball Out of Defence
Defending a Long Kick to the Centre of the Field
Defending against a Central Midfielder with Space to Create
The Opposition Winger Receives the Ball in Space in the Central Zone

Chapter 11
Defending from Set Pieces
Defending a Goal Kick
Defending a Corner Kick
Defending a Short Corner Kick
Defending a Free Kick near the Corner Flag
Defending a Free Kick outside the Penalty Area
Defensive Positioning from Throw-ins
Conclusion

Meet the Author

Athanasios Terzis

Athanasios Terzis

UEFA 'B' coaching licence

M.Sc. certification in coaching and conditioning
Soccer Team Tactics

I played for several teams in Greek professional leagues. At the age of 29 stopped playing and focused on studying football coaching. I have been head coach of several semi-pro football teams in Greece and worked as a technical director in the Academies of DOXA Dramas (Greek football league, 2nd division).

I wrote and published three books. My third book, ‘FC Barcelona, A Tactical Analysis’ has sold thousands across the world and has had a great reception from fellow coaches, impressed at the level of detail in the blueprint of Guardiola’s team.

Analysing games tactically is a great love and strength of mine. I think teams have success only when they prepare well tactically.

I have always been interested to watch Real Madrid’s games in the past, as well as many of Jose Mourinho’s past teams.

There were many key tactics, but Real were particularly good in the transition phase and were renowned as the best counter attacking team in Europe.