Today there are a large number of various football schemes and constructions. They are used by different trainers around the world. Teams play three, four or even five defenders. They can exhibit both three forwards and none. Some of the patterns are common, others are experimental. At the same time, some of them have already become legendary and went down in history. For example, the so-called Brazilian system. Nobody practically uses this tactic. However, fifty years ago, she was one of the most popular and successful in the world. But what is the Brazilian system?
The essence of this construction
It's no secret that eleven people play on one field. And it is with this number of athletes that coaches have to experiment. One of the most outstanding differences in the new scheme, which was eventually called the “Brazilian system”, was the fact that there were one more defenders in the team. Until the fifties of the last century, in most cases, teams played three fullbacks. While the new construction led to the fact that there were four defenders - two extreme and two central.
To date, such a construction is the most common. Although, as already mentioned, there are teams that play in three defenders. And even at five. Two central midfielders play over four fullbacks. And above them, a saturated line of attack of four attackers is built. Each of the zones that the Brazilian system created will be described in more detail below. In the meantime, it's worth taking a look at exactly how it originated.
How did the construction come about?
This construction can be described by the standard digital indicator for football schemes - 4-2-4 (four-two-four). What is it about? This means that four defenders, two midfielders and four forwards are involved in the match. But so no one played until 1950. The emergence of this scheme surprised and amazed the football world. One of the most famous stories related to this building and its birth is the arrival of the Hungarian team to visit the founders of the popular game - the British. Until 1953, the England team had never lost to any other European team. But then Hungary appeared. She suddenly decided to demonstrate a very unusual tactical approach.
The nominal center forward of the Hungarians, due to the fact that there were three more people in the line of attack, was drawn almost to the central circle. He led away the central defender of the British, who was ordered to patronize him individually. He did not understand what was happening. He was not ready for something like that, so he left behind an empty space that was used by other Hungarian attackers. As a result, the match ended with a score of 6: 3 in favor of the Hungarians. They were one of the first European football players to start playing according to a scheme called “four-two-four.” This was the beginning of the formation of this structure. It reached its peak of popularity in 1958 when the Brazilian national team using it won the World Championship. So, it's time to parse each zone of the circuit separately to better understand how it works.
Goalkeeper
Football rules do not prohibit the goalkeeper from taking part in field activities. There are libero goalkeepers. They are not tied to the goal line and act as an additional defender-cleaner. History knows a lot of goalkeepers who were full-time penalty kicks in their teams. And Jose Luis Chilavert, the goalkeeper of the national team of Paraguay, went down in history by performing even free kicks for his team.
But under the Brazilian system, the goalkeeper plays the usual role. He stands at the goal and must guard them from the ball. In principle, if there are not three, but four defenders, there is absolutely no need for the goalkeeper to play the role of Libers. Therefore, there is nothing surprising. Football rules may not prevent the goalkeeper from leaving the penalty area. But no one will force him.
Protection
The protective orders in the circuit have changed very much. This formation is also often called the “Revie Plan" - in honor of the British football player "Manchester City" Don Revie. He became one of the first and most striking athletes who played the role of a striker pulling the central fullback of the opponent onto himself. It was already impossible to do similar with this type of protection. After all, the presence of a second central fullback meant that in the event of an enemy attack, one of them could enter the battle with the enemy striker. While the other defender will insure him, that is, holes in the center did not form.
Flank fullbacks in this scheme, unlike modern football, performed mainly only a defensive function. They prevented attacks, and also worked on an additional safety net for the central defender who played closer to them. Tactical constructions in football are constantly evolving. So now flanking defenders often help in the attack. Sometimes they even replace the wingers, plowing the entire edge from their own to someone else's free kick. But under the Brazilian system, defenders only defended themselves.
Midfield
Two midfielders received more freedom. They were universal players - they could help the defense in destruction, and if necessary they went forward to carry out creative work.
Attack
Naturally, the attack has changed the most. Four attackers are incredible power. She allowed the teams practicing this scheme to score a lot. But at the same time, the presence of four defense players did not allow them to miss too much. The main figure was one of the two central fullbacks. He played a drawn forward. And he led with him closer to the center of the field the central defender of the opponent to provide a chance to three other attackers to score a goal.