SCI 06.17 opmaak 14-11-2006 16:58 Pagina 4 Adenor Bachi,Tite: 2006 SE Palmeiras coach Carlos Alberto Parreira used the 4-4-2 with Brazil at the 2006 World Cup, however, the team was eliminated and this tactical system lost popularity back in Brazil After the World Cup, the new trend for Brazilian teams was a 3-6-1 formation, with con- stant movement and diagonal penetration. By: Estevão Bertoldi Sanches and Guilherme Costa The first coach to use this system in Brazil was Tite, who was forwards you have, but on how many players you can include in hired in order to attempt to save Palmeiras from relegation. The the attack and also at the speed at which your team can make new 3:6:1 formation, inspired by the French team‘s World Cup this transition.” Even with only one forward in the starting line- play, is much more solid defensively, correcting a weak point in up, Tite organized his system in order to create the illusion of Palmeiras‘ string of losses prior to Tite’s arrival. Tite implemen- up to seven players occupying the offensive field. “We train ted the new formation in order to strengthen the team’s forma- with triangulations on both sides of the field. When we start an tion, providing more offensive and defensive consistency. After offensive move from a wing, the midfielders on the other side 20 games the team realized 48.3 % of possible attainable have to be able to run into the open space towards the box. points. Tite, however, quit the job after a public disagreement With this move, we have at least six players attacking, which with the Football Director. increases our offensive power.” The use of a 3-6-1 system in Brazil Variations The team progressed significantly after the coach’s arrival and During the 2006 Brazilian season, this system was used by at improved its performance in the 2006 Brazilian Championship. least half of the participating clubs. The only common characte- Created through the combination of players’ characteristics, the ristic employed by all the teams was the number of players in 3-6-1 used by Tite places the main accents on the diagonal each field zone. The Brazilian 3-6-1 has a lot of variations. For movements of outside midfielders and the overlapping of cen- example, it can include the presence of one defensive midfiel- tral midfielders. “The system does not depend on how many der acting as a defender or of three holding midfielders protec 4 No. 17 - October/November 2006 A complete soccer coaching experience SCI 06.17 opmaak 14-11-2006 16:58 Pagina 5 ting the defense. “This depends are able to make changes. If the on which variation the team opponent has less offensive adapts to best. We train this for- power, we can release one midfiel- mation during our sessions and der of his defensive role and make apply this system because we had him play closer to the forward or a positive performance. But, for 9 even be an attacking winger.” instance, I cannot accept the idea of a 3-6-1 with three genuine Training 7 defensive midfielders. In my way In order to be able to organize the 10 of thinking, this would create an team with numerous tactical varia- excessive defensive formation 8 tions, Tite highlighted the impor- within the team, with limited 11 2 tance of successive repetition at option to start offensive plays.” 5 training sessions. “We worked firmly on simulations of game movements with and without oppo- Interpretation 4 3 Tite’s interpretation of the 3-6-1 nents in order to be prepared for formation only has one holding every possible situation.” Unlike midfielder in front of the defen- 6 other Brazilian clubs, Palmeiras ders. In addition, one midfielder is did not have scrimmage games in responsible for starting the plays its training sessions. The team’s on the sides with the outside mid- 1 activities were divided in physical fielders and to give the ball to the preparation, tactics and recrea- two offensive midfielders. The for- Diagram 1: Palmeiras 3-6-1 tion. Tite’s justification for this ward does not have the role of an condition is his planning and the authentic striker, so he moves cohesion of his work. “I try to around the wings instead of being stuck in the box (see dia- have an honest conversation with each player and establish a gram 1). routine that explains each of the exercises applied in the trai- Tite’s explanation is due to the fact that most of his midfielders ning session. Everyone understands the concept of our work, and forwards move a lot. “Our offensive players are fast, with and this is important. My players already know during the week constant positional changes. This is the essential idea, but we what I am going to talk about before the weekend game.” “In order for this formation to work, you need to have players with great speed and quick reaction.” No. 17 - October/November 2006 5 A complete soccer coaching experience SCI 06.17 opmaak 14-11-2006 16:58 Pagina 6 PALMEIRAS STATISTICS UNDER TITE: 20 games played 8 wins 7 losses 5 draws 32 goals scored 30 goals against Total points: 29 of 60 possible Performance (% of points): 48.3% 11 games in a row without losing Sessions less space for the midfielders to go to the left wing, so it incre- During the sessions, the most practiced exercises are the ases plays with the forward.” - See diagrams 2 and 3 options for initiating plays on the sides. Tite set up practices focusing on the defensive balance and the possible movements Build up that the team has for each type of marking. “We practice pas- The systematization of building up from the back is trained with ses between our defenders from one side to the other side. On and without opponents. When there is no opponent, the players each side, we train everything that might happen in a game and with possession have more freedom to pass the ball. With the it changes according to players’ styles. On the right, our outsi- presence of an opponent, the team also trains its reserves and de midfielder, Paulo Baier, is more of a playmaker than a quick the possible pressure made by the other team. player, so we train short passes and penetration at speed of our inside midfielder, Wendel, who is a faster player. On the left Formation related to culture side, Michael works as a winger and prefers to play on the side With his new formation employed at Palmeiras, Tite initiated of the field and reach the end line. In this situation, there is what became a tendency by other clubs: the use of 3-6-1. OR 9 9 7 7 10 10 OR 11 11 2 8 2 8 5 5 3 4 Diagram 2: Offensive move (triangulation) on Diagram 3: Offensive move with midfielder the left side penetration on the right side 6 No. 17 - October/November 2006 A complete soccer coaching experience SCI 06.17 opmaak 14-11-2006 16:58 Pagina 7 PASPORT Name: Career as a coach Adenor Leonardo Bachi 2006 – SE Palmeiras (SP) 2005 – Clube Atlético Mineiro (MG) Nickname: 2004/2005 – SC Corinthians Paulista (SP) Tite 2003/2004 – AD São Caetano (SP) 2001 to 2003 – Grêmio Football Porto-Alegrense (RS) Date of Birth: 1999/2000 – Caxias (RS) May/15/1961 1998 – Veranópolis (RS) 1997 – Juventude (RS) Place of birth: 1996 – Ypiranga (RS) Porto Alegre – RS, Brazil 1992 to 1995 – Veranópolis (RS) 1991 – Caxias (RS) 1990 – Guarany de Garibaldi (RS) Career as a Player Played as a midfielder for Caxias (RS), Best moments Portuguesa (SP) and Guarani (SP) As a coach: 2001 Brazil Cup Champion with Gremio As a player: 1986 Brazilian runner-up with Guarani ADENOR LEONARDO BACHI He explained this situation stating that the culture of Brazilian Brazil, cover is often provided by the defensive midfielders, players makes them feel more comfortable using the system. while the outside backs are in charge of protecting the sides “In Europe, many teams play with a line of 4 authentic defen- and supporting the attack. ders, while in Brazil we usually play with 2 outside defenders who predominantly have offensive roles within the 4 man Alternatives defensive line. “We don’t typically cover diagonally with the full- As an example of alternatives he could have used with backs, and if we do it, almost everyone will say that the team Palmeiras, Tite mentioned two Italians clubs. “Juventus always is not well positioned and the cover is askew. Our culture play with two lines of four players and two forwards. AC Milan allows for longer fields and the use of sidelines. It’s a different also does that, and sometimes uses defenders who are not so mentality and the way you set up the defense changes.” In attacking-minded on the wide positions.” The only Brazilian club No. 17 - October/November 2006 7 A complete soccer coaching experience SCI 06.17 opmaak 14-11-2006 16:58 Pagina 8 which experimented with this line-up this season was Sao Paulo. Tite, howe- Palmeiras fire coach Vilar ver, believes that Sao Paulo’s formation would not apply to other Brazilian for second time this year teams. “In order for this formation to work, you need to have players with great speed and quick reaction. Also, you cannot arrange your defense like that if your defenders do not know how to mark well.” The situation in Palmeiras continues to struggle this season, resulting in yet another dismissal: coach Palmeiras was completely different.