In attack…

Start in a wide position, so we occupy all five lanes and stretch the opposition. This allow us to play around…

Look at Diogo Jota’s position in this clip, for example – starting wide on the left, to create space for his teammate and himself.

You can see that here, too, higher up the pitch, where Salah stays wide, and connects with the 8.

This video below gives many examples of the wide strikers starting position – in 5 lanes, stretching the pitch, creating space to get free.

When you get the ball, you can either go 1v1 against the opposition defender if you have time and space…

…but mainly you’ll look to create flexible triangles with the 8s, with the aim of releasing a forward runner in behind in the halfspace.

Watch this video carefully, focusing on the wide strikers.

You’ll see that you’ll sometimes play a short pass in behind for an 8 or wing-back making the forward run…

…and sometimes you’ll be the player making the run to get free in the ‘assist zone’…

…and sometimes you’ll have a teammate ‘go around’ you to get free.

If this happens, you can then get into the box to become a poacher yourself!

You might even start the move wide, then end up in the box to score – like Foden does here!

In defence…

You work alongside the striker to form the first line of defence – a line of three, protecting the middle!

You should look to protect the middle first, but if the opposition plays a pass you can press, then keep chasing the ball like Mane does here!

That’s a textbook example of being hungry and aggressive in the press. We want this all over the field…

It is important to remember to always protect the middle, though. Start compact and stop the opposition playing through. Then, look for pressing cues, like someone receiving with their back to goal…

…or they pass sideways within a lane…

…but if you don’t see the cue, then just stay compact and protect the middle.

If you are beaten, like you can see below when the centre-back dribbles past Mane, then make sure you reverse press! This is about working hard to help the team, and suffocating the opposition!

In Block B & C, you stay in that compact position, always protecting the middle.

Even if the ball is on the opposite side, you ‘fold in’ to keep the team compact and inside 3 lanes.

…always making sure you keep the team together with hard work…

…and looking to never take a backwards step by stepping forward wherever possible!