What is right plan against opponent's constant pressure?

[zzgloo]

We saw it on the game between Czech-turkey, as one half one team was attcking all the time, and the secound half the other....
We saw it with the game with UAE,as they put us inder presaure all game.
We saw it , as the russian strategy playing aginst Holland....as attcking as means not to defened....
It seems, these days, more than ever, the team who plan to put presaure are more successful and the ones who work on the counter attacks...
If that is the case, why not do that more often ?

[Adesor Vafaseya]

well, it depends who is defending and who is attaching IMO.

Italy can play defensive and beat anybody. But other teams cannot do that.

Likewise Brazil can play 5 man attack and win a game by not letting the opponent to steal the ball from them. Others, who will try to do it will just loose the game.

To me the system and style doesn't matter, it is moreover how and who is proceeding it.

In this respect the perfect en-counter would be Spain vs Italy tonight. Offensive approach vs Defensive approach. Lets see how that goes. Beisdes its a massive game

[Martin-Reza]

Well, forechecking demands really god physical condition. It also demands excellent fast defenders so you can defend "high" in the field to keep your team compact despite having more players upfront. This can't be easily achieved and needs good players and training, otherwise you will be handing your opposition easy goals.

[Adesor Vafaseya]

^ something Iranian players dont have.
The reason we played so well versus Yugoslavia in WC 98 was because we had a defensive approach at first with a compact and decent defensive formation and based on counter attacks, were the better team on the field.
Contrary to that in WC06 we tried to play something we couln't do and hence ran out of fuel (energy).

we can dominate weaker teams in Asia based on a pressing or forechecking approach but can't do that on international level, since our league, hence the basement of our football, is physicaly beyond any European standard.
There, realy what Tomislav Ivic implemented in teams strategy and tactics of WC98, works out better given our circumstances.

Thats why I said in my earlier post, its isn't about offensive or defensive, its about who plays it.

[Doctor DOOM]

very good topic for discussion, bahram jan.

If your team is heavily under pressure, the worst thing you can do is "bezan ziresh" as soon as your players can connect with the ball. the ball will be back in ur half or 1/3rd within 2 seconds.

I believe the best things to do is :

1- to have QUICK wingers/runners always ready for passes to the sidelines to counterattack.

2- possession football. keep the ball and pass it around which relieves a lot of pressure.

3- and lastly, have a player or two who can hold the ball and shield it. a dribbler or a tough guy like daei who can hold onto the ball , thus keeping the ball away from the opponents, also allowing your other players to come out, and maybe pass to a runner to counter.

[Nokhodi]

I say slow the game down by committing fouls. Not the violent type, but just minor ones to get rid of the flow.

[zzgloo]

^ something Iranian players dont have.
The reason we played so well versus Yugoslavia in WC 98 was because we had a defensive approach at first with a compact and decent defensive formation and based on counter attacks, were the better team on the field.
Contrary to that in WC06 we tried to play something we couln't do and hence ran out of fuel (energy).
we can dominate weaker teams in Asia based on a pressing or forechecking approach but can't do that on international level, since our league, hence the basement of our football, is physicaly beyond any European standard.
There, realy what Tomislav Ivic implemented in teams strategy and tactics of WC98, works out better given our circumstances.
Thats why I said in my earlier post, its isn't about offensive or defensive, its about who plays it.

There may be two approaches.

1-To defend compactly,slow the game , and wait for the counter attack.

2-To equaly putting pressure on the opponant as well.

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Although,as you said, it depends who is playing, and what talents a coach has at his possesion.......but, there are circustances that can change the game...............................


may be the opposite side needs the win desparately.( case of Turkey on his secound half )
may be is the case of ,two teams had the same attacking plan. ( The case of PP and saba in the first half of thier last game.)
may be it is the case of a game between a very strong team and a not so strong one.
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No matter what players any team has, they are going to encounter such senario, either against them or they themseleves have to do it.because it is requried by theturnement's circumstances.
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But, the point I have been noticeing is that, it seems, teams who do select to put pressure, now a days, are more successeful than the ones defending it...............and if that is realy the case....why, defending ?..and why not to put equal presuure against attacking opponants as well ?

[Martin-Reza]

^ something Iranian players dont have.
The reason we played so well versus Yugoslavia in WC 98 was because we had a defensive approach at first with a compact and decent defensive formation and based on counter attacks, were the better team on the field.
Contrary to that in WC06 we tried to play something we couln't do and hence ran out of fuel (energy).
we can dominate weaker teams in Asia based on a pressing or forechecking approach but can't do that on international level, since our league, hence the basement of our football, is physicaly beyond any European standard.
There, realy what Tomislav Ivic implemented in teams strategy and tactics of WC98, works out better given our circumstances.
Thats why I said in my earlier post, its isn't about offensive or defensive, its about who plays it.

well said!

[Doctor DOOM]

adesy jan, one of the BIGGEST strengths of the 98 squad and the BIGGEST failings of 06 was : PHYSICAL FITNESS of the team.

the 98 team was put through the rigors of Ivic's tough training which made the team very fit and match-ready, complemented with a tight formation.
in simple words; Our lads ran hard and kept at it.

in 06, one of the biggest factors caused the crumble of the team was their poor physical fitness.
becoz we did NOT have a physical trainer in the team and we all noticed how the team simply lost its breath and energy beyond minutes 55-60 in each & every game.


contrast it with how we ran in Malaysia 07.
mind you, malaysian climate is 10 times tougher than germany's. the humidity by itself saps the energy , forget about the heat.
but in the game against S Korea , we showed we could run as hard even for 120 minutes in a damp, energy-sapping humid and hot weather.


trust me, if we get the PHYSICAL FITNESS right in the team, we are halfway through the gates.
coz it's that simple.
if you can run hard and fast:
- you can put pressure on the opponent, and constant pressure always pays off (what russia did to holland)
- you can find more spaces, quicker
- you can outlast the opponents in the dying minutes of a game
- you can execute the tactics of the coach better
- you can make use of counterattacks
- your defense or team will not be caught napping or on the back foot in counterattacks against you
- .... etc