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paris saint-germain Carlo attacking movement in a 4-3-2-1 formation Ancelotti Formation philosophy Attacking At AC Milan, Chelsea and movement 1 now at PSG I have frequently SIRIGU JALLET/BISEVAL CECH in a 4-3-2-1 used a 4-3-2-1 formation IVANOVIC/BOSINGWA ALEX/LUGANO formation CARVALHO/ALEX SAKHO SISSOKO Overview: TERRY ESSIEN/BALLACK THIAGO MOTTA/BODMAR This session is based MIKEL/DECO on tactical work, NENE MAXWELL J COLE/KALOU A COLE movement and PASTORE patterns of play in the LAMPARD middle and attacking HOARU/GAMEIRO MENEZ DROGBA/TORRES MALOUDA/ANELKA thirds of the field. It uses a 4-3-2-1 formation, and a system that has always offered me great success at The central Milan, Chelsea and defenders split and look to receive the PSG. Of course, no ball from the keeper system is perfect – 4-3-2-1 working each having its own for each other distinct strengths 2 and weaknesses – The central midfield player controls the rhythm of play but this one links well and looks to pass forward with our playing style whenever possible and philosophy. This formation is particularly effective when constructing box-to-box passing The full-back on the side of the ball moves - counter- pushes into an attacking play that advanced position involves passing and ‘In to out’ The advanced midfield player looks receiving between diagonal run to make a diagonal run (in to out) the lines, well-timed behind the opposition full-back in an movements and attempt to ‘open’ their back four. He can also rotate with lateral crossover runs, and midfielder the exploitation of The central striker looks to space behind the penetrate the defensive line with intelligent well-timed opposition’s back movements line.

The session develops SISSOKO in the following order: game – technical/ MENEZ movement – phase of play – game. NENE

Passing GAMERO move from box to box In our match against Evian on February 4, 2012, this direct passing move from box to box saw the team playing Key Ball between the lines to maximum movement Player effect. The ball worked through to movement Dribble the overlapping Jérémy Menez, Optional pass/ run whose closing shot hit the post.

4 april 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net In partnership with

attacking movement in a 4-3-2-1 formation

SET-UP What do I get the on this session if they We are very fortunate at Area players to do? are to make maximum PSG to have excellent use of it. They should Carlo Ancelotti Up to half-pitch This session is split training facilities. We build progressively on use two pitches every PARIS Equipment up into a number of SAINT- GERMAIN progressive set-ups, each element, taking day that run parallel to Balls, cones, goals through ideas and each other. This allows Carlo Ancelotti has Number of Players each rehearsing been manager of principles from each us to set up all the Full squad different positional France Ligue 1 club separate part of the exercises before the Session time and tactical elements Paris St Germain since contained within the practice. start time and then to December 30, 2011. Warm-up – physical 4-3-2-1 formation. It takes time for move quickly from one trainer 15mins, to another during that The Italian had 10v10 game (two What are the key players to learn the previously taken small goals) 15mins, things to look out fundamental parts of session, maximising charge of Chelsea in Pattern of play 20mins, for? playing this formation, time and intensity. It’s the Barclays Premier Phase of play 20mins, but the rewards a good way to keep the Players must League and Serie A side or Possession practice are impressive, players focused. AC Milan, and is one 10v10 20mins, concentrate on and all built around of only six men to have Total 90mins the technical and possession with a won the European Cup/ positional elements Champions League as positive end result. a player and manager (twice as a player and twice as a manager). The 52-year-old also enjoyed fantastic domestic success in his time in Italy, and is looking to repeat those 55 achievements now in Paris. As a midfielder, Ancelotti starred in two World Cups for Italy, and played for club sides Parma, AS Roma and Milan.

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Key Ball movement Player movement Dribble 10v10 game with two small goals We begin with a possession exercise in formation, using two target goals placed at either end of a 45x55-yard area. Players “This work as they would do in any normal game, but they must retain a strict formation formation is throughout. particularly In this game, possession is used to generate goalscoring opportunities through intelligent effective passing and movement, plus positional play. when We like to use possession exercises that are directional and have a clear aim. constructing There are no offsides in this game, which is played for 15 minutes – we will practise five box-to-box minutes using free passing, five minutes two-touch, then the final five minutes as passing one-touch. moves.”

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attacking movement in a 4-3-2-1 formation

The striker pulls away first, Patterns of play – technical Blind side run then makes a blindside diagonal run to receive a pass The next set of exercises feature one from the right midfielder, striker, two advanced midfielders before shooting at goal and one central midfielder, on a half-pitch. Their start positions are as shown in the diagram. Movement patterns are developed gradually, as outlined below.

Crossover The striker pulls off the shoulder and heads for the box

The right midfielder creates space by running long to come short. He receives the pass from the central midfielder, then lays the ball long

Over The left midfielder makes a diagonal run

The striker positions himself The right midfielder for a pass into now has a choice of feet, and prepares options to shoot at goal Third man run The left midfielder makes a well-timed forward, blindside run in order to receive a pass from the right midfielder

As before, but the striker this time looks to come and receive a ball to feet. At that last moment he allows the ball to run past him, and the left midfielder moves to receive

Here, two midfielders and the striker combine to Key produce a triangle passing Ball movement combination Player movement Dribble Optional pass/ run

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attacking movement in a 4-3-2-1 formation

Phase of Play Practice Attackers must ensure (10v9 plus a keeper) they maintain balance Players on the attacking when attacking in order to team of 10 look to score in the prevent counter-attacks goal, while defenders must penetrate the dotted line, but only by passing to a team mate who receives the ball when already beyond that line.

Blues, with a one- man advantage, build from the back Looking initially to construct an overload in midfield, attackers then combine with team mates using the movements in the ‘Patterns of play – technical’ exercise. Possession Practice - 10v10 in 60x55-yard area Teams line up 4-3-2-1 against 4-3-3. The aim of the practice is for teams to build play with the clear aim of penetrating the end line with a pass to an onrushing team mate. The final pass 60 cannot be made until the ball has gone over the halfway line (this prevents a ‘long ball’ mentality), and offsides are in play from the end lines.

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10 v10 game We conclude with game – 10v10 plus keepers. Offsides apply as normal. In a tight playing area, all aspects from the previous practices should be applied to this game situation.

Key Ball movement Player movement Dribble

7 april 2012 www.elitesoccercoaching.net