Author and Presenter: Athanasios Terzis
Language: English
Length: 69 min.

Counterattacking with the 1-4-4-2 formation – An analysis of the tactics of Diego Simeone

The counterattack is a part of the positive transition phase and it can be proved a very effective weapon in order to score goals and win matches. This stands not only for teams which apply a counterattacking style of play, like Atletico Madrid, but also for teams and coaches who want to apply any style of play like positional, direct or mixed.  

In this presentation, which includes detailed diagrams and videos, we will analyse the stages of the counterattack and how Atletico Madrid of Diego Simeone, one of the most successful counterattacking sides, apply their tactics to counterattack with the fewest possible passes and within the less possible time.

The present project provides also information about how the players will counterattack effectively according to the part of the field where possession is won, and which is the best way to secure possession when the opponents put pressure on the ball to stop the counter. Furthermore, it includes information about how the defensive positioning of the forwards affects the counterattack and where the target player should move to find the free space according to the positioning of his direct marker.

Finally, the twelve progressively designed drills will help coaches to train their players in order to carry out quick and effective counterattacks by simply adding or adjusting them to their own training sessions.