Defending deep

[SimonHoddle]

When my team is 1 or 2 goals up I often switch to a deeper, drop back to shape, system to calm the press and reduce space.  It almost always causes my team to concede opportunities from balls over the top or through balls behind my defence. It doesn’t add up.

I understand that dropping deep will allow more crosses into the box and invites pressure but increased one and ones behind my defence feels like a complete contradiction to what should happen.

anyone else experiencing this?

[fc.cadoni]

Do not have defense line lower than standard. 

[HUNT3R]

29 minutes ago, fc.cadoni said:

Do not have defense line lower than standard. 

No, you can. What you shouldn't do, ideally, is be too defensive. Curling up in a defensive ball will invite too much pressure. By all means, be more cautious, but draw a line between more cautious and too defensive.

[CARRERA]

1 hour ago, SimonHoddle said:

When my team is 1 or 2 goals up I often switch to a deeper, drop back to shape, system to calm the press and reduce space.

You should also consider making changes to your basic shape. A 4-2-3-1 for example is a very aggressive formation that suites perfectly a pressing style and naturally exposed space on both flanks as well as in front of the defensive line. A 4-1-4-1 for example does not have that natural exposure. Also re-adjusting the the balance of D-S-A duties can help your team to become effectively compact, when shifted towards more defend duties.

Edited March 5, 2022 by CARRERA

[SimonHoddle]

Cheers all. I really don’t mind the theory of being too defensive invites too much pressure. I’ll take all your advice  and it’s much appreciated 

I’m still slightly concerned that a deeper DL with a more defensive mentality causes more one on ones against my keeper than when I have a high line with attack and more pressing. Feels like mechanics are wrong.

I/ we must all remember this is a game to be deciphered. So it’s anomalies aren’t deliberate but things to be worked out.

 

[ceefax the cat]

Yep there's nothing like putting your defensive line on very low with two DMs in front of it and then watching a ball casually chipped through it for a 1v1 in loads of space