Preparing for competition the method of maurizio sarri

lagar_sf@hotmail.com 09 Jul 2018

Preparing for Competition
The Method of Maurizio Sarri
© 2018 Pedro Mendonça
All rights reserved
i

Remarks on Maurizio Sarri’s SSC Napoli
"Maurizio Sarri was the author and sculptor of this “Great Beauty”: the
2017/2018 season of SSC Napoli. The team displayed a stunning fo-
otball, noticed and appreciated all over the world!"
Aurelio De Laurentiis (President of SSC Napoli)
"Maurizio Sarris’s SSC Napoli was one of the best teams I ever faced
in my career, perhaps the best!"
Pep Guardiola (coach of Manchester City FC)
“Working with Maurizio Sarri was amazing. He is the responsible for
SSC Napoli’s record-beating three seasons and its amazing way of
playing. I recommend him to any team in the world, for his football
ideas and his hectic working method!”
Pepe Reina (SSC Napoli’s goalkeeper)
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Contents:
Introduction........................................................................................iv
1. Maurizio Sarri’s Game Model.........................................................5
1.1. The System Adopted.............................................................................6
1.2. Principles of the Game Model..............................................................7
1.2.1. Offensive Organization..............................................................................7
1.2.2. Defensive Transition.................................................................................37
1.2.3. Defensive Organization............................................................................41
1.2.4. Offensive Transition.................................................................................61
1.2.5. Defensive Set Pieces................................................................................67
1.2.6. Offensive Set Pieces................................................................................68
2. Weekly Preparation.......................................................................69
2.1. “Monday”.............................................................................................70
2.2. “Tuesday”............................................................................................71
2.3. “Wednesday”.......................................................................................85
2.4. “Thursday”...........................................................................................91
2.5. “Friday”..............................................................................................110
2.6. “Saturday”.........................................................................................122
2.7. “Sunday”............................................................................................124
iii

Introduction
Maurizio Sarri managed to turn the 2017/2018 SSC Napoli into one of the best football
teams ever.
Admired throughout the world, the Italian coach definitely created a name for himself
in the football realm, being one of the most desired managers right now.
On the following pages, we will unveil the game model of 2017/2018 SSC Napoli.
We will begin with the patterns displayed in the different moments of the game (offensi-
ve organization, defensive organization, offensive transition and defensive transition).
After that, we will analyze the team’s behaviors in the different offensive and defensive
set pieces throughout the season.
We will finish with Maurizio Sarri’s weekly game plans (based on the ideas gathered
from his UEFA Pro license thesis in the Italian Football Federation).
Like “Mr. 33”, a nickname he got when he coached in the 6th Italian division for having
33 different set-piece situations, we believed that, in an increasingly optimized football
at all levels, preparing every game down to the last detail is decisive.
Hopefully, this work will be useful for every coach, prompting them to evolve and impro-
ve every day.
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This chapter will describe the SSC Napoli’s game model
in the 2017/ 2018 season, a team guided by one of the
best Italian coaches of today.
For its elaborations, the patterns repeatedly expressed
by this team in all official games of the 2017/2018 sea-
son were taken into account.
5
Maurizio
Sarri’s
Game
Model
1

1.1. The System Adopted
Sarri’s system for his team was the 1-4-3-3.
6

1.2. Principles of the Game Model
1.2.1. Offensive Organization
This is the moment of the game when the team has the ball and tries to take it towards
the opposing goal to achieve football’s main objective: Score a Goal!
1.2.1.1. 1st Phase (Build-up Phase)
Ball progression is this phase’s objective, beating the first opposing defensive lines.
Usually, this stage begins when the ball is in the possession of the goalkeeper or any
player of the team, normally those who play at the back, the third of the pitch closer to
their goal.
7

(a) Starting the play with a short build-up: this type of build-up happens when the ball
is on a player positioned on the 1st third of the pitch, i.e., in areas close to their own
goal. Below we find some of the behaviors adopted by SSC Napoli during this type of
build-up.
i) The goalkeeper should be an anchor point to change the gameplay:
The goalkeeper must be secure and confident when he has the ball on his feet,
always providing a back support (preferably outside the goal line) to his teammates
who have the ball close to his goal. He should have the ability to play the ball with
both feet, preferably with the same performance level. This support will be important
to take the ball out from areas with higher density of opponents, taking it to freer
areas, particularly in the opposite wing.
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ii) Putting the ball in the Center-Backs (usually the one closer to the ball) while
the other does the coverage in the central area of the pitch:
This type of movement by the Center-Back who does not have the ball will attain seve-
ral objectives. Right away, it protects the team against vulnerabilities if the ball is lost,
even if the opponent is able to get it back, the central space will always be occupied to
protect the goal. There is also another possibility to make a safe pass, since the distan-
ce to the ball is shortened.
9

iii) Players near the ball:
Create numerical superiority at the back. Whenever possible, at least 3 passing lanes
should be provided to the ball-carrier, close to him and vertical. With the creation of
this “diamond” in relation to the ball, the carrier has several passing possibilities, hen-
ce guaranteeing that the ball will move forward in pitch more easily. To do this with suc-
cess, almost all players on the team should get near the area where the carrier is.
This aspect is also essential for a strong reaction to the loss of the ball, in order to get
it back immediately or balance the team defensively.
10

With this type of positioning, one can also use the “3rd man” dynamics to put the ball
in a teammate who is facing the opposition.
This dynamic is particularly useful to make sure that the pivot, often deeply pressed by
the opponents, with no time nor space to get the ball, can get it behind opponent who
is pressing him, thus facing the opposing goal and having more possibilities to read
the game and choose the best solutions to move the ball towards the opposing goal.
Whenever possible, all players who get the ball, without opposition nearby, should
immediately turn around, with a good oriented control, to face the opposing goal. It is
also useful to take advantage of the usual positioning of the opponent Winger on the
side of the ball, who presses very closely the Full-Back of the attacking team, to move
down the wing by putting the ball behind the Winger, who is by sagaciously and timely
outpaced by the Full-Back of the team with the ball.
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iv) The Full-Back gets the ball slightly inside the half-space:
The Full-Back of the attacking team, positioned on the side of the ball, must try, whene-
ver possible, to get the ball into areas slightly inside the half-space and not close to
the side line. With this positioning, he guarantees that his teammates will be closer to
him, allowing the build-up to move forward, while also compensating a possible loss of
the ball. The Winger on the side will have more passing lanes next to the sideline,
thus creating at least the 3 aforementioned lines. After the ball reaches his Winger, the
Full-Back becomes the back point of the “diamond”, having to get closer to the carrier
to cover him and take advantage of the free space to get the ball or, if the opposing
team is unbalanced, to be able to make an interior overlap move, winning the oppo-
nent’s back near the ball, receiving it down the pitch. If the Full-Back gets the ball next
to the sideline, the Winger on his side should move inside to make sure that they are
always in different vertical lines, guaranteeing diagonal support if his teammate gets
the ball.
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v) Moving forward to attract the opponent:
With free space ahead, the ball-carrier must move forward with it in order to attract
some opponent. This attraction will free some teammate to get the ball free of oppositi-
on (he will become the “free man”). The player getting the ball should properly position
himself to get the ball facing the opponent’s goal, he will interpret the game in a better
way, allowing it to continue properly.
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b) Starting the play with a medium-sized build-up: this type of build-up happens when
the ball is on a player positioned on the intermediate third of the pitch, i.e., in areas clo-
se to the midfield line. Below we find some of the behaviors adopted by SSC Napoli
during this type of build-up.
i) “Big Field” to move opponents out of the area where the ball is:
Usually, with goal kicks, opponents have more time and availability to position themsel-
ves in such a way that the team has a tough time to start the build-up at the back. So,
the Goalkeeper, to avoid losing the ball near his goal, will try to put the ball in a
teammate close to the midfield line. Usually, in these situations, the other teams
gather all players and only then the Goalkeeper places the ball. Nonetheless, Maurizio
Sarri’s SSC Napoli tries to keep the opponents apart from each other when they
press, establishing the “Wide Pitch” (maximum width and depth), creating more free
spaces to move the ball and continue the play. By putting the ball in one of the sides
of the box, the Goalkeeper will force the opposing team to move to that side, often
freeing the Full-Back on the ball’s opposite side. When he gets the ball, the Full-Back
can move to a free space to control it, or if any opponent gets too close to him, he can
pass the ball
to the Winger
on that same
side with his
f i r s t t o u c h ,
who opens a
passing route
next to the si-
d e l i n e . A l l
other players
must quickly
move towards
that side to
guarantee the
continuity of
the offensive
play.
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The Goalkeeper, when receiving the ball on the central area of the pitch, and without
opposition, can take advantage of the distance between the opponents and him to
look for a free teammate next to the midfield line, so the latter can get the ball betwe-
en lines. So, the Goalkeeper must have great passing abilities (strong and precise,
normally with the instep) to take advantage of the spacing inside the opposing lines
(spaces between players in the same sector of the team).
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ii) Positional shift between the Full-Back and the Winger:
With the ball in the central area of the pitch and when the Goalkeeper has no passing
options to play from the back, one of Maurizio Sarri’s breakthrough solutions to try to
keep possession of the ball is to have the Full-Back and the Winger change positions,
to take advantage of the Full-Back’s superior aerial ability in relation to the Winger.
The Full-Back fights for the ball (preferably in an area previously defined) sent by its
Goalkeeper and his teammates get close to win the “2nd ball” and maintain its posses-
sion.
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iii) Under strong pressure, put the ball in the Striker positioned next to the midfi-
eld line:
The Center-Backs, under pressure, normally rely on the Goalkeeper to escape that sa-
me pressure. However, the pressure is usually kept and the opposing forwards try to
recover the ball from Goalkeeper. In this situation, the Goalkeeper must display safe
behaviors (for example, he cannot dribble the pressing opponents), opting to put the
ball in his Striker, who is often positioned in the midfield line. He must try to keep the
and play it with his teammates who, in the meantime, have moved down the pitch and
got close to where the ball his (this advance and approach is also important to be able
to win the “2nd Ball”, if the Striker fails to keep it).
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c) Starting the play with a long build-up: this type of build-up happens when the ball is
on a player positioned on the final third of the pitch, i.e., in areas close to the oppo-
nent’s goal. Below we find some of the behaviors adopted by SSC Napoli during this
type of build-up.
i) The Goalkeeper must try to take advantage of the moments when the forwards
are in a privileged situation to isolate themselves:
When getting the ball back with his hands, the Goalkeeper should immediately see if
there is any advantage in throwing a long ball to any of his forwards. It can be taking
advantage of the opposing defensive line and isolate any forward near the opposing
goal, it can also be a situation when the ball is placed in a forward who is in a 1v1 si-
tuation with his direct marker and without any defensive coverage nearby.
This constant attention to the possibility of taking advantage of depth will force the
opponent to move their lines back and open more spaces, so one can initiate a short-
passing build-up play from the back with fewer opponents.
When the Goalkeeper is ready to hit a goal kick, taking advantage that there is no offsi-
de in those situations, he can put the ball in a teammate behind the opponent defensi-
ve line to have
him in a 1v1 si-
tuation against
the goalkeeper.
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ii) The ball-carrier, when under pressure near his goal, should put the ball in the
forward who makes the team deeper:
When pressed by opponents, and without the possibility of passing the ball to a
teammate nearby, the players at the back must try to put the ball down the pitch,
behind the opposing defensive line, where the forward is fighting to guarantee the
offensive depth. With Maurizio Sarri’s SSC Napoli, this player is the Left Winger (Lo-
renzo Insigne), who is often solicited in these situations.
The ball, usually played to the sideline, next to the opponent’s penalty box, must force
the teammates to move forward on the pitch to get close to it and some of them must
actually occupy their positions in the opponent’s area to properly respond to an eventu-
al cross.
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1.2.1.2. 2nd Phase (Creation Phase)
This phase is intended to create disruptions, in order to reach the opposing goal in ad-
vantage. Normally, this phase begins when the ball reaches the pitch’s intermediate
sector.
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a) Creating an offensive play having the ball behind the midfield line: We will unveil
some of the behaviors of SSC Napoli when they have the ball in the intermediate third
before crossing the midfield line.
i) Attract the opposition when moving the ball ahead to pass it to the “free
man”:
Move forward with the ball to attract the opponent and then pass it to a teammate who
is free of opposition (“free-man”), preferably to players positioned between lines in the
central half of the pitch. The teammate should be diagonally oriented to create a pas-
sing lane and positioned behind the marker. There is the possibility to pass it
backwards to one of the Central-Backs who are Offensive Covering the ball-carrier.
21

ii) Put the ball between lines in the central midfield:
Take advantage of the Striker or one of the Winger’s pullback position to get the ball in
the central midfield, thus allowing to: a) turn to the opposing goal when there is no
opposition nearby; b) play the ball back to one of the three Central Midfielders (“3rd
man” dynamics), who thereby becomes “oriented towards the game” (possibility of se-
veral combinations: Center-Back-Winger-Central Midfielder / Center-Midfielder-Striker-
Interior Midfielder / etc.), to then make deep passes towards one of the Wingers or the
Striker (in case they have the chance to find themselves isolated behind the defensive
line or get the ball in a 1v1 situation when the opposing defender is alone and the de-
fensive coverage is not nearby – “4th man dynamics”).
If the Striker, when moving backwards to get the ball between lines, drags the oppo-
sing Center-Backs with him, one of the Interior Midfielders should take advantage to
cut into the free space created behind them (and he may even create a “3rd man dyna-
mics in progress”).
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iii) Small Field when attacking:
Players close to each other, creating successive triangles and diamonds, in order to
facilitate the link-up between the defensive line with the remaining lines (midline and
attacking line), mainly in the central area of the pitch. Possibility to move the ball
across the whole defensive line, from one side to the other, at low speed if the oppo-
nent does not put pressure on the ball, to attract the opponents and then accelerate
the game with a pass to midfielders or forwards positioned between lines. If the ball
cannot reach the center midfield, the progress can be achieved on the wing in short
combinations or using a long diagonal pass diagonal to the opposite side.
23

iv) Defensive Balance:
The defensive quartet balances the team at the back to counteract a possible ball
loss. Full-Backs are near the Center-Backs (in the center midfield). A possible
attacking move by the Full-Back using a one-two in his wing should be anticipated
with the movement of the other Full-Back towards the Center-Backs, hence creating a
temporary three-men defensive line. In the center of the midfield, the positional balan-
ce should be protected with two Center Midfields, to simplify ball movement and a
speedy recovery of the ball immediately after its loss.
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b) Creation of an offensive play having the ball beyond the midfield line: We will unveil
some of the behaviors of SSC Napoli when they have the ball in the intermediate third
after crossing the midfield line.
i) Movement without ball:
Players without the ball must always look for free space to get it. They should be dia-
gonally positioned in relation to the ball-carrier. The ball-carrier, after passing, can
move ahead and take advantage of the space freed by the movement of his forward
teammates.
25

ii) Move the ball from one side to the other and cut inside:
Disrupt the opposing team with many passes in a short period of time (often using the
1st touch), in order to attract the opponents to where the ball is and give time to
teammates to get in proper positioning to receive it (between lines or in depth).
Players at the back must always be aware of the best moment to play the ball betwe-
en lines (between the middle and defensive sectors of the opposing team) in the cen-
ter midfield (to the Striker, Wingers or Inside Midfielders free of opposition). Players
without ball must move to provide diagonal passing lanes to the carrier inside the
opposing lines (spaces between the players in the same sector of the opposing team),
to establish a progression conduit for the ball. The player who gets the ball between
lines (usually the Striker relying on “False 9” dynamics), if he has not opponents
around, can turn and face the opposing goal and move forward with the ball, or he
may pass it back to some teammate who is in a good position to get the ball. Usually
this back pass is performed using the “3rd Man” dynamics (play the ball back when fa-
cing the Midfielder, who, in turn, is facing the opponent’s midline), the "3rd Man In Pro-
gress" (play the ball back when facing the Midfielder, who appears in progression to
get the ball behind the opposing midline) or the “3rd Man in Depth” (isolate the Win-
gers behind the opponent’s defensive line, taking advantage of their disruptive mo-
ment).
26

iii) Keeping maximum depth:
Always ensure the maximum depth possible (using the center corridor or the wings) in
order to always have the option to get the ball behind the opposing defensive line. Pos-
sibility of positional exchanges between players to increase the offensive game’s flow
and to always make sure that there is someone available between lines (for instance,
if the Striker drops back to open passing lanes, the Inside Midfielders or Wingers can
give depth through the center of the pitch, cutting behind the Striker). If the forwards
are able to isolate themselves behind the opposing defensive line, they must be used
in depth (do a circular cutting move beforehand, in order to properly get the ball in line
with the opponent’s goal, avoiding to be caught offside). If the Winger on the side of
the ball cuts in, the Full-Back must move forward and guarantee maximum width and
depth (Full-Backs and Wingers should always be in different lines, outside/inside, to
make their combinations easier). Usually, the signal for the forwards’ deep cutting
move is when the ball is played backwards from one wing to the center midfield, whe-
re a head-on midfielder is in an optimal position, with an “uncovered ball”, to isolate a
teammate (who, ideally, is a bit distant from the last defender and, moments before
the pass, he quickly performs a deep cutting move behind the defensive line).
27

iv) Flanking the opponent:
Move the ball forward in one wing using the Full-Back’s deep movement when the
opponents close the center midfield, preventing the ball’s movement between the spa-
cing inside the lines and the spaces between the lines. Development of several offensi-
ve triangulations, mainly between the Full-Black, Winger and Inside Midfielder.
28

1.2.1.3. 3rd Phase (Finishing Phase)
This phase intends to occupy spaces where there are relevant opportunities to shot on
the opponent’s goal. It happens in the offensive third of the pitch.
We will now show some of the behaviors of SCC Napoli when they have the ball in the
offensive third, next to the opposing goal.
29

i) Preparing the middle-range shot in the center midfield:
Several offensive combinations in order to create shot opportunities, without oppositi-
on, for the players at the entrance of the opponent’s penalty box (normally the Inside
Midfielders and the Central Midfielder). Often, the combinations happen in one of the
wings to attract opponents and then release the ball into a free man to shoot in the
central part of the pitch. The players who take the shot must be able to do it with both
feet or right after an oriented reception, in order not to lose time to find the dominant
foot, thus losing the advantage in relation to the opponents. Full-Backs can also cut in-
side sometimes (with the ball or when they are in the opposing wing) to shot from
outside the box. When the forwards have the ball in the opponent’s box, they should
always have the option to pass it backwards to the box’s entrance so that one of the
Midfielders can take a middle-range shot, this option is extremely useful and dange-
rous when the other team opts for a very deep defensive line.
30

ii) Pass the ball backwards to a “head-on” teammate and deep cutting moves
from the forwards:
When forwards have no options to advance, they can pass the ball backwards to a
teammate who is “facing” the game heads-on (usually the Central Midfielder), who,
with an “uncovered ball”, then tries to isolate some of the teammates, who, in turn, do
a disrupting cutting move behind the opponent’s defensive line. Usually the cutting run
should be performed by the forward who did not do the backward pass (usually they
are not heavily marked). Preferably, the ball should be placed on one of the box’s side
areas, to prevent the Goalkeeper’s intervention, who is protecting the back of his de-
fensive line. The Striker can drop to drag the opponent Center-Backs out of the area
where the ball is intended to go (as long as the depth is guaranteed by at least two
teammates, one on each side of the pitch).
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iii) The Striker must act as an offensive pivot at the box entrance:
A Striker with the ability to play one-twos with his teammates to allow them to shoot without opposition or make
them isolated. Before this action, the Striker must step back to get away from the tight marking of the opposing
Center-Backs (if they go with him, this creates the conditions for a back player to isolate himself behind the
opponent’s defensive line, using the center corridor). Several types of situations take advantage of this Striker’s
particular ability:
- Wingers can take the ball from outside to the inside and do a one-two with the Striker to create a shot
opportunity;
- The Striker can get the ball and rotate towards the opposing goal, to then be in a privileged position to
shot on goal (ideally targeting the area near the posts). In addition to having the ball played on the pitch, the
Striker should, for instance, be able to get the ball and rotate without allowing the ball to touch the ground, to
perform a volley right away. If he is able to do it on both sides, with both feet, even better;
- The Inside Midfielder passes to the Striker, who then plays the ball behind the opponent’s defensive line,
in the space between the opponent Center-Back and Full-Back, to allow the cutting of one Winger (previously
placed right beside the opponent Full-Backs and ready to attack the depth) in order to be isolated and then sco-
re or assist a teammate;
- Dynamics of the “1st to the 4th man”, i.e., the Inside Midfielder (“1st man) passes to the Striker and then
he does a deep cutting move, the Striker passes to the nearest Winger, the Winger gets the ball and isolates
the Inside Midfielder who initiated the whole sequence (“4th man);
- The Striker gets the ball from one of the wings and then serves one of the Inside Midfielders who appear
from behind to shot on goal. It’s useful to have the Striker holding the ball a little before the pass, to attract the
opponents to
where the ball
is;
- The Insi-
de Midfielder
moves forward
with the ball,
using taking the
center of the
pitch, and plays
a one-two with
the Striker to
isolate himself
behind the oppo-
sing defensive
line.
32

iv) Offensive triangle on the left wing:
Using predominantly the left wing to reach the goal. A great link-up capacity between the Full-Back, the
Winger and the Inside Midfielder who play on the left. Use the Winger with the opposite foot (right-foo-
ted playing on the left) who performs many outside/inside movements with the ball, which allows him to
pick one of the following actions:
- Cut inside while dribbling and, after beating the opponents, shoot from outside the box (usually tar-
geting the more distant post);
- Cut inside with the ball and perform an overlapping move on the outside with the Full-Back, to be
able to get the ball ahead down the pitch, crossing it to one of the areas preestablished by the team;
- Inside Midfielder always near the Winger with the ball, to be able to receive it and shot on goal
(first-time shot or after an oriented reception);
- The Winger on the other side positions himself near the opponent Full-Back, to be able to get the
ball behind the latter and finish the play in a privileged area;
- A one-two between the Winger and the Inside Midfielder and a cutting move behind the opposing
defensive line with the possibility of isolation and shoot or pass the ball to a teammate.
33

v) Overlaps (inside or outside) near the sidelines to take the ball to crossing
areas:
A one-two with a wide and deep support (Full-Back or Winger) to then be able to get
the ball behind the opposing defensive line, down the wing to cross the ball into the
box. Occupation of predefined finishing areas by three to four forwards (Striker in the
near post, opposing Winger in the far post, Inside Midfielder and Winger in a second
line next to the penalty spot to finish a cut back cross). It’s important to create a positi-
ve "diagonal" to be able to score after a cut back cross, always having one or two
players positioned in that area. Develop the ability to make acrobatic shots.
Some of the possible combinations:
- Inside Midfielder doing a one-two with the Winger and Full-Back on his side, wide
and deep to get the ball near the sideline to cross it;
- Inside Midfielder plays the ball to the Winger or Full-Back on his side and move
behind him after he takes the ball inside (moving behind the teammate’s to whom the
pass was made, to then get the ball down the pitch).
34

vi) Connecting both wings:
When the Winger has the ball in his possession, and the opponent’s defensive line is
almost aligned with the teammate who is on the opposite side of the ball-carrier, it is
possible to pass the ball behind the defensive line to bypass it from the back, reaching
the other Winger, who is now cutting inside (he has the chance to receive the ball
behind the opposing Full-Back, who is marking him, or anticipate his move and win
the position).
The opposite Winger must be on the same line as the opponent and close to him (to
avoid being caught offside and to attack the ball before the opponent does). It is essen-
tial to avoid crossing the ball into the opponent Goalkeeper’s area of action.
35

vii) Wingers ready to get the ball deep next to the opponent Full-Backs:
When a player carries the ball through the central corridor in the pitch’s offensive third,
the Wingers and/or Striker must position themselves side by side with the opposing
Full-Backs (as deep as possible) to get the ball (in a deep movement or receiving it in
the foot with an oriented reception), to then shot it near the post or make a pass to the
teammate who is cutting on the other side. The forwards must position themselves clo-
se to the opposing Full-Backs, always ensuring some space to be able to get the ball
without opposition, they should be focused to avoid getting trapped in an offside positi-
on.
36

1.2.2. Defensive Transition
This moment of the game is focused on behaviors that players should adopt, during
the moments that follow the loss of the ball, in order to try to recover it as quickly as
possible.
1.2.2.1. Ball lost in the offensive third of the pitch
When the ball is lost near the opposing team’s goal, the team usually adopts the fol-
lowing behaviors:
- Immediate pressure on the ball-carrier (even the opposing Goalkeeper) in order to
get the ball back near the opposing goal (greater chance of scoring a goal if success-
ful) or at least force opponents to kick the ball forward, which allows a subsequent
ball recovery from the players at the back. These players must be on the midfield li-
ne, watching potential players who may get the ball behind the teammates who are
pressing, but mainly concerned to defend the depth.
- In a 1st phase, direct the opponent’s ball-carrier to the wings, in order to simplify the
ball recovery effort, since it’s easier to stop it there than in the center of the pitch.
Existence of a mobile structure of pressure (composed by three forwards, Interior
Midfielders and the Full-back on the side of the ball) and a fixed coverage structure
(Central Midfielder, Center-Backs and Full-Back on the opposite side of the ball).
- A collective effort of the whole team so that the pressure is successful, with all
players aware of the need to recover the ball immediately after its loss, with the
players moving quickly to the surroundings of where the ball is.
- If the pressure is beaten, the team rapidly organizes itself, and it’s crucial to reassem-
ble the four-men defensive line (even if done by any player with other functions – for
instance, having an Interior Midfielder taking the place of the Full-Back, who, in the
meantime, was giving maximum depth to the team) to circumvent the opponent’s ad-
vance through the space between the Center-Backs and the Full-Backs.
37

- At all times, the team should guarantee a defensive coverage done by a three-men
defensive line (with an exchange between the Full-Backs, depending on the side
where the ball is) and a player (usually the Central Midfielder), who is ahead of this
line of three defenders, centrally, trying to deter passes through the center and direct
the opponent’s game to the sidelines, allowing their teammates to have more time to
reassemble their defensive positions.
- The players beaten should quickly recover their positions behind to make the team
come together, since they may be useful a few seconds later to recover the ball and/
or defend the goal.
38

1.2.2.2. Ball loss in the intermediate third of the pitch
When the ball is lost in the midfield (offensive and defensive), the team usually adopts
the following behaviors:
- Immediate pressure on the ball-carrier right after the loss, as well as the surrounding
area, done by all players of the mobile structure of pressure (shortening the spaces
between the players and trying to win the ball “from the back or head-on”). The
players of the fixed structure should watch the space behind the mobile structure,
particularly the Central Midfielder (focused on the task to close the central area of
the pitch, trying to direct the opponents to one wing), but they should fundamentally
try to protect the deep spaces behind them (as well as the Goalkeeper). If any oppo-
nent beats the moving structure of pressure with control of the ball and takes it to the
defensive line, the defenders (three or four) must drop to protect the depth (and also
to gain time for the defensive recovery of the beaten teammates) until near the box
and then one of them must advance to contain the ball-carrier, while the remaining
elements provide defensive coverage (with a “1/3 dynamics” - 1 in contention and 3
in coverage, or with the “1/2 dynamics” - 1 in contention and 2 in coverage).
- The players beaten must quickly go back to their defensive positions behind, doing it
as quickly as possible, since they may be useful immediately or after a few seconds.
39

1.2.2.3. Ball lost in the defensive third of the pitch
When the ball is lost next to its own goal, the team usually adopts the following beha-
viors:
- It quickly closes the deep spaces (with the Goalkeeper ready to rush out to protect
the back of his defensive line, if necessary) and occupies the previously determined
defensive positions inside the box. To achieve this, a strong reaction to loss is nee-
ded, mainly by players of the defensive line and the Midfielders, to close a “2nd line”,
with a joint movement of all these players and others, always putting pressure on the
ball-carrier of the opposing team in such a way that it is difficult for him to keep the
play going (passing or dribbling). If possible, the player who rushes out to pressure
the carrier must be defensively covered.
- This quick closure of depth is vital to avoid having the ball played behind the defensi-
ve line (between the defensive line and the Goalkeeper), bypassing the defense from
the back.
- The protection of spaces in a “2nd line” by the Midfielders is also important to avoid
dangerous situations when a cut-back cross is performed.
40

1.2.3. Defensive Organization
This is the moment of the game when the team does not have the ball and tries to get
it back as quickly as possible, protecting its own net at all times to avoid a goal.
1.2.3.1. 1st Phase (Prevent the Opponent’s Offensive Build-Up Play)
This phase intends to direct the opposing team towards the pressure-loaded areas pre-
viously established, in order to prevent their progression on the pitch, while creating
conditions to recover the ball quickly and near the opposing goal. Now we will show
some of the behaviors adopted by SSC Napoli during this phase.
41

i) Let the ball in to initiate the pressure immediately after:
Initially, when the ball is in the opposing Goalkeeper (in his hands or in a goal kick),
the forwards tend to give some space to the more distant defenders of the opposing
team (usually the Center-Backs) so that they can get the ball near their goal and start
the offensive build-up from the back. Then, when the ball is received by the oppo-
nents, the players (forwards, midfielders and the full-back on that side) approach the
area and press the ball-carrier and the potential receivers, trying to recover the ball as
close as possible to the opposing goal (greater probability of scoring a goal), when the
opponents are unbalanced from a positional standpoint.
42

ii) Constant “covered ball”:
Strong and intense pressure on the opponent’s ball-carrier (even on the Goalkeeper
when he gets a ball from a teammate and cannot use his hands), never allowing the
ball to be “uncovered”. Try to recover the ball back quickly or force the opponents to
play the ball outside the pitch or kick it forward (facilitating its recovery). When pres-
sing the ball-carrier, particularly when the markers switch positions, it’s necessary to
move towards the ball (in a circular motion), closing the passing lane for the opponent
who is behind the line and there has to be a teammate nearby who can split the
marking between the opponent he had and the one who got free in the meantime (for
instance, this happens when the Striker presses the Goalkeeper and must close the
passing lane for the Center-Back behind him, who, in the meantime, is no longer
marked).
43

iii) Direct the ball towards the desired area:
After studying the opposing teams, the players who struggle the most during the offen-
sive build-up must be targeted, as well as the most beneficial areas to exert pressure
and recover the ball. Usually, in games with great teams, one tries to direct the oppo-
nents to the wide and then force to the ball to stay in that part of the pitch, using a gre-
at collective pressure. Knowing the preferred feet of the opponents who play at the
back is also important, to force them towards their “weakest side”, facilitating the reco-
very of the ball. To succeed in this, the players who play at the back must also shift to-
wards where the ball is, while protecting the spaces behind the teammates who are
pressing.
44

iv) Pressing the opponent ball-carrier when he is facing his own goal:
With a constant pressure, opponents will often be forced turn to their own goal and,
particularly in the corridor, they will try to kick the ball against the forward to win a
throw-in or a goal kick or they will allow the attacker to come close, just to throw
themselves into the ground to win a foul and diminish the pressure. So, the pressure
has to be performed smartly, avoiding fouls and stepping out of the ball’s way when it
is kicked against the pressing forward (to be successful in this ball-recovery behavior,
the remaining teammates must close down on the potential ball receivers who play at
the back, particularly the Central Midfielder and the Full-Back on the side of the ball
must be ready to intercept the ball in front of the opponents).
45

v) Protect the depth:
Pressing the opponents using the players of the fixed structure (Striker, Wingers, Interi-
or Midfielders, Full-Back on the side of the ball and sometimes the Central Midfielder),
while also guaranteeing the protection of the deep spaces behind the team, relying on
the players of the fixed structure (Center-Backs, Full-Back on the opposite of the ball
and sometimes the Central Midfielder) and also with the help of Goalkeeper (which
should “leave the goal” and position himself outside the box).
46

1.2.3.2. 2nd Phase (Avoid the Creation of Finishing Situations)
This phase intends to hinder the opponent’s interactions, which give them opportuni-
ties to create imbalances to get close to the opponent’s goal. Then we will show some
of the behaviors adopted by SSC Napoli at this stage.
i) Pressing the ball-carrier and the area nearby:
The ball-carrier of the opposing team must be pressed constantly until the ball is recovered (di-
rect recovery: through an interception or tackle; or indirect recovery: ball played outside the pitch
or handed to some teammate). Constant defensive coverages should be enforced around the
area where the ball is expected to be recovered, to avoid having a teammate of the carrier
without a marker, we can talk about a positioning that “mirrors” the opponents who can get the
ball. This strong and intense pressure makes it difficult for the carrier to take the best decisions,
which simplifies quite remarkably the team’s overall defensive effort. Sometimes the Interior Midfi-
elders need to leave the midline to press the opponent Center-Back who gets the ball from his
teammate (being pressed by the Striker). It’s important to do a marking switch with a teammate,
who starts to care about the one recently “abandoned” (when leaving his line to press the oppo-
nent, it’s important to move in order to discourage any passes behind his back to the player he
was marking).
47

ii) Creating a “Small Field” next to where the ball is:
The team has to be tight, in width (oscillation) and depth (aggregation) with the defen-
sive line close to the other sectors in order to seal spaces between lines but, funda-
mentally, oriented to protect the depth (as well as the Goalkeeper – more or less away
from his goal, depending on where the opponents have the ball and if they have it co-
vered or uncovered). If the ball is played behind the midline in the spaces between li-
nes, targeting one of the opponent forwards, one of the Center-Backs can go out to
press him, but the other three members of the sector must immediately assure him a
“three-men cover” (Full-Backs, especially the one opposite to the side where the ball
is, should focus on closing the spaces between themselves and the nearest Center-
Back). The elements of the midline should immediately get close to where the ball is
to create a “head-on and from behind pressure”.
48

iii) “Read” the intention of the opposing ball-carrier:
Differentiate the behaviors to be displayed in accordance with “Covered Ball”, “Uncovered Ball”, “Short Back
Play” and “Long Back Play”.
“Covered Ball”: the ball is covered when a teammate, or the opposing ball-carrier, is near the ball between this
and the goal of the team that does not have its possession. When this happens, the players on the back lines
may be more concerned with the protection of the space between lines, since it will not be easy to play the ball
behind their back in this situation (nevertheless, they always have to be attentive to quick changes, which may
create a favorable condition for the opponent to play the ball deep).
“Uncovered Ball”: the ball is uncovered when the opponent’s carrier has no opposition nearby and is free to
play the ball deep or move forward with it. In this situation, the players on the back lines should be ready to
step back in order to circumvent a possible cut-inside move by the opponents in the space behind them (the
Goalkeeper should also watch the space behind his teammates who play at the back). This retreat should be
fast, particularly when the carrier balances himself for the last time before he passes the ball.
“Short Back Play”: when the ball is played backwards by an opponent to a teammate nearby, i.e., the ball re-
mains virtually in the same area, the players at the back should keep the same positions and be careful with
some ball played on their backs (the same applies for a short ball passed horizontally, but, in this situation, a
horizontal movement should also be performed towards the side of the ball).
“Long Back Play”: when the ball is played back by an opponent to the farthest teammate, i.e., the ball is played
to another area, the players at the back should advance their positions in the pitch (pushing their more advan-
ced teammates forward), in order to gain ground and restrict the play space for the opposing team. Other refe-
rences, besides ball recovery, that should prompt a movement forward: the opponent gets the ball with his
back turned to-
wards the goal,
carries the ball
from a back posi-
tion and plays a
long horizontal
ball.
49

iv) 1/3 cover:
When the opposing team has no solutions to beat the intense pressure, the natural re-
action is to start to play long balls towards their Striker. This aerial battle should be
addressed by the defender who is closer to the where the ball drops, trying to win it
and, if possible, pass it to a teammate who can initiate the attack. The other three de-
fenders should ensure the three-men coverage. The midfielders and forwards will
quickly drop to keep the team with all sectors close to each other and to facilitate the
ball recovery.
50

v) Follow the cutting moves from opponents who appear from behind:
Particularly when the ball is close to a wing, the opponent midfielders will try to come
from behind to get the ball without opposition behind the defensive line. In these situa-
tions, the team can react in the following ways: a) the Center-Back curbs the oppo-
nent’s cutting move, with the Full-Back on the side of the ball compensating his
teammate’s dispositioning, quickly moving inside, in order to reassemble the three-
men coverage as fast as possible (defensive positional exchanges); b) the Inner Midfi-
elder on the side of the ball follows the cutting move of an opposing midfielder. Avoid
moving the Central Midfielder from the center of the pitch, since he occupies a crucial
area both for the offense and defense. When the ball is played down a wing, the defen-
ders should orientate their bodies towards the ball, positioning themselves sideways
with their feet facing this sideline.
51

vi) Moving back to an area near the box:
When the forwards and midfielders are beaten by opponents and they take the ball
forward facing the defensive line, the four defenders move back to an area near the
box. Located around the area, one of the defenders should contain the carrier and the
other three defenders should cover the central space behind them, watching any po-
tential deep cutting moves by the opponents. The Goalkeeper should monitor the spa-
ce behind the defenders in order to cover their teammates, without however neglec-
ting his main duty: protect the goal.
52

1.2.3.3. 3rd Phase (Avoid a Successful Finishing)
This phase intends to protect relevant significant areas around the box in order to
avoid a goal from the opposing team. We will now show some of the behaviors adop-
ted by SSC Napoli during this phase.
i) Close the direct progression route of the opponents:
When the opponent forwards are targeted with rupture passes behind the defensive
line, the defenders near them should protect the Goalkeeper when he rushes out, clo-
sing the ball’s direct progression route. This will force the opponents to run a greater
distance, thus giving more time for the Goalkeeper to recover the ball.
53

ii) Following the opponents who cut from behind:
The Inside Midfielders (on the side of the ball) should, whenever possible, follow the
opponent midfielders who cut behind the defensive line. When they do this, they will
allow their teammates (including the Center-Backs and the Center Midfields) to be pri-
marily concerned with defending the central space of the box. If the Inside Midfielder
cannot follow the opponent’s cutting move, the Center-Back should do it, with the Cen-
tral Midfielder moving to the center of the box, occupying the position of his teammate
and rearrange the three-men defensive line.
54

iii) Defensive Positional Game:
Knowing the positions and defensive behaviors to assume, based on the ball-carrier’s
location and his distance to the goal. The positions should be swapped with teamma-
tes based on what the moment requires, always with compensation between the team
to avoid unoccupied defensive positions.
Ball around the box near the wings:
The Full-Back on the side of the ball must press the opponent’s carrier (1st line of pres-
sure) while the other three members of the defensive line should drop to cover their
teammate (2nd line of Coverage – aligned with the Center-Back who is closer to the
ball and with the feet turned to the sideline). If the carrier beats the Full-Back, the
nearby Center-Back can contain him, with the Full-Back running to the central area of
the box, to protect the goal and compensate his teammate’s dispositioning.
55
1st Line - Pressure
2nd Line - Coverage

Ball around the box in the central area of the pitch:
The defenders must form a “4-men Defensive Line” in the center area (if the ball has
advanced down the wing, the Full-Back on that side must, as soon as possible, move
inside to established the four-men line), with the players close to each other to avoid
spaces where the opponent can pass the ball through. If any opponent carries the ball
towards the box, one of the defenders should press him, while the other three defensi-
ve linemen should drop to give coverage to their teammate (with their feet placed pro-
perly to protect the space behind their back). If the first defender is beaten, they go
from a “1/3 Coverage” to a “1/2 Coverage”, that is, a defense presses the carrier and
the other two teammates cover his back.
56

After the ball reaches the spaces on the side of the box:
With the ball 16 meters from the goal line, the Full-Back must press the carrier and the
other three linemen should drop in a diagonal movement to the center of the box to
protect the goal, in a rearmost line. They should orientate their feet to the side of the
ball and protect the space behind their teammate in front.
57
Ball 16 meters from the goal line

With the ball 8 meters from the goal line, the Full-Back must press the carrier. The
Center-Back closer to the ball is positioned slightly backwards to intercept a near post
cross and avoid a potential anticipation of that same opponent. The other two defen-
ders are positioned in an intermediate line in relation to their two teammates to protect
the space in front of the goal.
58

With the ball 2 meters from the goal line, the Full-Back must press the carrier and the
other three linemen should create a “Negative Diagonal”, i.e., give a diagonal covera-
ge starting with the Center-Back closer to the ball and ending with the Full-Back on
the opposite side. The Central Midfielder should align himself with the Center-Back on
the side of the ball, in order to intercept a cut back cross to a 2nd line (the area where
the Center-Back on the side of the ball cannot intervene).
59

iv) “Clean” the box:
When some player manages to intercept the ball and kick it outside the box, all
players should move forward together, advancing as much as possible to move away
from the areas near the box. The progression speed must be appropriate to the situati-
on, they have to read the game to know if they can continue, or if there is a need to
stop and prepare a defense to cover the space behind.
60

1.2.4. Offensive Transition
This moment of the game refers to behaviors that players should adopt following the
recovery of the ball, trying to take advantage of the defensive disorganization of the
opposing team and create scoring opportunities.
1.2.4.1. Ball recovery in the defensive third of the pitch
When the ball is recovered next to its goal, the team usually adopts the following beha-
viors:
- Whenever possible, players must get the ball back in a way that allows the team to
keep its possession. Then we have the “legal tackles” and "positive interceptions” as
fundamental elements during this moment. They will be the ones allowing the play to
unfurl from the back with the ball controlled.
- The first intention is to take the ball out of the area where it was recovered, vertically
or horizontally. Vertically: as a forward-movement option, the players will look for the
Striker, in the deep (if they are in an advantageous situation in relation to the oppo-
nents) or in space between lines (between the opponent midfielders and defenders).
If he gets the ball in the deep (usually with a circular motion in order to be able to re-
ceive it facing the opposing goal), he should advance towards the goal and then try
to score or assist a teammate who comes from behind. If he gets it between lines,
with the opposition far from him, he must turn to the opposing goal and attack the
free space through the central of the pitch, while the Wingers or Offensive Midfiel-
ders occupy, one on each side, the spaces beside the opponent’s last defensive line,
to be able to get the ball and find themselves isolated. If he gets it between lines,
with the opposition near him, he should hold it and give time for their teammates to
advance and start an offensive organization. Horizontally: take the ball, carrying it or
passing it, to the other wing, since there is often a great density of opponents in the
area where the ball is recovered. After succeeding in taking the ball out of the “pres-
sure zone”, they can progress, taking advantage of the open spaces created (it
should always be a collective progression, with players close to each other, particu-
larly with the advance of the back players, in line with the ball progression). Many ti-
mes, to take the ball out of “pressure zone”, the players perform quick one-touch
combinations to beat the opponent pressure. To have success in these build-ups, the-
61

re has to be a constant and close diagonal support and the constant creation of trian-
gles and diamonds in relation to the ball-carrier.
- If there are no conditions to move vertically or horizontally, the team can use the
Goalkeeper to beat the opposing pressure and this can change the center of the ga-
me, to initiate an offensive organization from the back.
62

1.2.4.2. Ball recovery in the intermediate third of the pitch
When the ball is recovered in the midfield area (offensive and defensive), the team
usually adopts the following behaviors:
- In this third of the pitch, it continues to be important to recover the ball in a way that
allows the team to use it immediately to create scoring opportunities, using for instan-
ce the “directed tackles”.
- As the first option, and if there is an opportunity to do it, the player who recovers the
ball looks immediately to play it deep, to have the Striker cutting behind the defensi-
ve line (preferably in an area where the opponent Goalkeeper struggles to reach it).
63

- If the Striker is not able to get the ball deep, he drops a bit and makes himself availa-
ble between lines. When he gets the ball, he should try to rotate and move forward
towards the opponent’s goal (if he has no opposition nearby) or work as a connecti-
on point with a teammate who is a bit further back, but “facing the game head-on"
(the “3rd man” dynamics), who then chooses to carry it or pass it to a teammate bet-
ter positioned to move forward towards the opposing goal.
- Another option is to take the ball out of the pressure zone (usually from one site to
the other) and put it in the opposite Winger, who makes himself available to get the
ball between lines. When he gets the ball, the Winger will choose to carry it towards
the opposing goal (preferably using the center of the pitch) and then choose to shot
or pass it deep to the Striker or to the other Winger, who quickly try to position
themselves on each side of the opponent’s defensive line (neither very close nor
very far). If the Winger gets the ball right next to the sideline, he can take advantage
of the overlap (interior or exterior) of the Inside Midfielder closest to him, to take the
inside and be able to shoot or pass it to his teammate, if the Inside Midfielder re-
mains in good conditions to get the ball deep.
- In situations where it’s impossible to take advantage of the opposing defensive disor-
ganization, the team retains the ball in security (using, for instance, the players at the
back to rotate the center of the game) and initiates the offensive organization.
64

1.2.4.3. Ball recovery in the offensive third of the pitch
When the ball is recovered near the opposing goal, the team usually adopts the fol-
lowing behaviors:
- If the ball is recovered in the central part of the pitch, especially when the Striker or
any of the Interior Midfielders (or Wingers) press the Center-Backs of the opposing
team, they advance with it towards the opponent’s goal and try to score or assist a
teammate nearby. If it is recovered in the central part of the pitch due to the pressure
put on the other team’s Midfielders, the priority will be to put the ball in the Striker
between lines (behind the opponent’s Midfielder who has just lost the ball) who must,
as mentioned earlier, rotate with the ball and move towards the opposing goal to sho-
ot or assist some teammate who, in the meantime, managed to receive a deep pass
on the side of the opponent’s defensive line.
65

- If the ball is recovered on the wing, with a great density of opponents, one can look
for the Winger on the other side, to get the ball between lines and move forward to
shot or make a deep assist to one of his forwards (who attack the spaces beside the
opponent’s defensive line). This change of the center the game can be accomplished
using the Striker to serve as a link between one runner and the other. After passing
to the teammate at the back, the Striker (and also the Winger or Inside Midfielder)
should then perform a move to try to receive it isolated behind the opposing defensi-
ve line or drag opponents with him, thus giving more time and space to the carrier to
progress and shot from outside the box.
- If the ball is recovered on the wing, without a great density of opponents, the ball-car-
rier can progress with it towards the touchline and then cross it to box. In this case,
his teammates should immediately occupy the attacking areas. Usually, the Striker
takes the “near post” to deflect the ball in front of the opponent Center-Back oppo-
nent and other forwards occupy the areas in a “Positive Diagonal” to shoot after a cut
back cross. The players a bit further back also approach the area quickly, to occupy
the spaces at the entrance of the box to shot or to give continuity to the attacking mo-
tion (nullifying the opponent’s counter-attack).
66

1.2.5. Defensive Set Pieces
This moment of the game is related to behaviors that players should adopt when the
opponents take goal kicks, throw-ins in their offensive third of the pitch, wide free
kicks, corners, direct free kicks and penalties. Maurizio Sarri defines, for each of these
situations, the positions to be taken by his team and the reactions to take next in accor-
dance with the specificities of the opposing team.
In the following link, you can see some of the solutions found by SSC Napoli for the se-
veral set piece situations that opponents came up with during the 2017/2018 season.
https://payhip.com/b/J2Fm
67

1.2.6. Offensive Set Pieces
This moment of the game refers to behaviors that players should adopt when the team
has to take freekicks (direct or indirect), goal kicks, throw-ins, corners or penalties.
Maurizio Sarri defines, for each of these situations, the initial positions to be assumed
by all players, the movements to be carried out before, during and after the ball is
played, the area where ball drops and the execution moments for each situation.
In the following link, you can see some of the solutions found by SSC Napoli for the se-
veral set piece situations that they had during 2017/2018 season. The most effective
(goals or scoring opportunities) were chosen.
https://payhip.com/b/2i1Y
68

Taking as inspiration the thesis of Maurizio Sarri for obtai-
ning the UEFA Pro license in the Italian Federation of Fo-
otball, we'll show you what, in the Italian coach’s perspec-
tive, must be the work carried out on each weekday that
precedes the upcoming fixture. The participation in ma-
tches from Sunday to Sunday will be taken as a referen-
ce.
69
Weekly
Preparation
2

2.1. “Monday”
Players should rest the day after the match. The technical staff should take advantage
of this day to analyze the match held on the previous fixture.
For Maurizio Sarri, the video analysis of the previous match allows him to verify the
difference between the match preparation and the match actually played. The objecti-
ve is also to fix the intended behaviors in the medium-term and it is important to sche-
dule the training to be carried out in the following days, particular to fix the mistakes
and solve the issues brought by the match.
70

2.2. “Tuesday”
During the morning there is no training session, but the technical staff conducts a
meeting to outline the week training schedule and to exchange views on the previous
fixture. This meeting’s conclusions should be told to the team, which are useful for the
scheduling of tactical objectives to be addressed during this week. A video analysis of
the previous match should also be conducted during this meeting, as well as a written
report about it.
Video analysis of the previous fixture:
This video is focused solely on tactical issues found during the match and takes into
consideration the following aspects (presented in sequence):
1. Collective tactics: The video begins with the analysis of the team’s length, i.e.,
if the sectoral distances (between the several sectors of the team) and the dis-
tance inside the sectors (among the players in the same sector of the team)
are in accordance with what has been outlined during the fixture’s preparation.
71

2. Defensive phase in the offensive third of the pitch: the individual pressure on
the ball is taken into account, to know if the pressure is carried out in the area
of the pitch defined, using the movements trained, and if the opponents are
effectively directed in accordance with the preparation undertaken during the
week. Essentially speaking, the defensive phase of the forwards is analyzed.
72

3. Defensive phase in the intermediate third of the pitch: the situations when the
opposing team has the ball beyond the forward sector are taken into account.
The time taken by the Wingers to reentry, the pressing movement and the cove-
rage of the midfield sector are all analyzed. A lot of attention is placed on how
the action of opponents is directed by the player who moves out to put pressu-
re on the ball-carrier.
73

4. Defensive phase in the defensive third of the pitch: it analyzes the movement
of the defensive line in long build-ups by the opponent Goalkeeper and then
the opponent’s action with the ball, behind the midfield line, focusing on the
pressure and the defensive line coverage. A lot of attention is also placed on
the movement of the defensive line (horizontal and vertical) and the ability to re-
ad the covered and uncovered ball and their reactions.
74

5. Defensive Set Pieces: the analysis tries to find if the positions defined during
the match preparation were respected in all defensive set pieces in the several
areas of the pitch and if the reactions were those trained during the week. Fi-
nally, the effectiveness of the several individual markings, whenever expected,
are scrutinized.
75

6. Offensive phase in the defensive third of the pitch: it analyzes whether the
Goalkeeper favored the build-ups (short or long) preestablished in the match
preparation. For long build-ups, the focus is placed on where the ball drops,
attacking the ball and the space. For short build-ups, the preestablished ball
movements are scrutinized, as well as if the ball is played from the back, using
the areas chosen and expected.
76

7. Offensive phase in the intermediate third of the pitch: the attention is placed on
the movements and plays performed by Central Midfielders.
77

8. Offensive phase in the offensive third of the pitch: the attention is placed on the
movements and plays performed by the forwards, with particular attention to
the box-attacking movements, when touchline crosses are performed.
78

9. Offensive Set Pieces: the offensive set pieces, established during the match
preparation, are analyzed. The initial positions are verified to know if they were
respected, if the movements were done properly, if the area where the ball dro-
pped was the one expected and if the execution times were respected.
For each of the aforementioned aspects, some situations particularly significant about
what happened on the pitch are showed and a video is prepared to be presented to
the team. For Maurizio Sarri, this sequence circumvents an eventual confusing lecture
about the game, following the principle of simplicity and clarity. It also gives us some
suggestions for the video’s completion and its presentation to the players:
- In order to get as much attention as possible from all players, the video should be ex-
tremely clear and short (never more than 10-12 minutes).
- One should try to involve the players with the video (principle of active participation),
avoiding a situation where they watch it passively, always conveying the message
that this process is not to blame anyone for their mistakes, but to help the individual
and collective growth.
79

- Take into account the team’s psychological momentum. The video’s assembly pro-
cess should be different, depending on whether team is experiencing a moment of
negative or positive results: In the event of a negative moment, to prevent even more
hesitation, the video editing should give preference to situations in which the team
did something positive in order to strengthen the belief that something positive is
being done, despite the negative result; in the event of a positive moment, the prefe-
rence goes to situations where the in-game errors are shown, to convey the messa-
ge that there is still much to work and to improve.
- Take into account the individual psychological differences within the team. Within a
group, there are players who are more sensitive and vulnerable to error than others.
Therefore, when dealing with players like these, you have to be careful with what is
shown in the video, trying to alternate situations where mistakes were made with si-
tuations where the action was properly performed.
A written report on the previous fixture:
In this report, besides the tactical aspects highlighted in the video analysis of the previ-
ous fixture, there are other aspects, also decisive for the match’s unfurling. These are
the aspects analyzed by it:
- Mental aspect: it is analyzed whether the team entered the pitch with an appropriate
level of motivation and if, during the game, they were capable of expressing a good
level of determination. The attention is also focused on the reactions showed by the
team significant moments (for instance, the way they reacted to a disadvantage or
how they handled an advantage).
- Behavioral aspect: It analyzes the team’s behavior when dealing with the referee and
opponents. Regarding the referee, players should not waste their energy with as-
pects of the game that they cannot influence. Disciplinary sanctions should only be
those deemed necessary for the team’s success in match situations and never cau-
sed by protests. Attitudes that are not aligned with the behavioral rules established
by the group are also assessed, in order not to tolerate attitudes, which, in the long-
term, may create problems in the team’s management. It’s also crucial to constantly
convey the message that the current individual objectives are important, but they
should be always in the background in relation to the team objectives.
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- Physical aspect: The team is assessed from a physical point of view, with the coach
deciding what must be said to the team and what should remain within the technical
staff (to avoid having players using their physical condition as an easy excuse in cer-
tain moments).
Afternoon period:
2:15 pm - Brief meeting of the technical staff for the practical organization of the trai-
ning session.
14h30m - Meeting with the team to analyze the previous fixture. A lecture is given by
the coach, following this order:
- Mental aspect;
- Behavioral aspect;
- Physical aspect;
- Tactical aspect supported by a video analysis of the match.
3:00 pm - Training session with an exclusively physical objective.
In the week shown as an example (indicative of the work carried out in all others), the
objective of this training was the aerobic power, using the “intermittent Gaçon
method”: 15 seconds/30 seconds with 3 sets of 6 minutes at 95% of M.A.S. (maximum
aerobic speed) for those who have played and 105% of M.A.S. for those who have not
played with an active 4-minute pause after each set.
With the “intermittent Gaçon method”, players must do a high-speed course for a cer-
tain period of time (in this case, 15 seconds at 95% or 105% of M.A.S.), followed by a
lower intensity course (in this case, 30 seconds at 60-65% of M.A.S.). The course can
be completed in a single direction in a straight line or with some changes of direction,
boomerang style.
81

After this work, those who played the previous game do their individualized pro-
gram, whereas those who do not have played the previous game perform an ex-
tra work (which, this week, consisted initially of 3 sets of 4 minutes of a 5vs5 ball pos-
session exercise within a 40x25m area, changing the limit of free touches from one
set to the other – 3 touches in the 1st set; 2 touches in the 2nd set and 1 touch in the
3rd set, except for the recovered balls, which allowed the player to touch it 2 more ti-
mes - with a 2-minute recovery after each set. For the 5vs5 ball possession exercise,
one should bear in mind the training’s aerobic objective in order to determine the area
to be used. On this day, the areas must be quite wide in relation to the number of
players, to ensure that the organic work remains above the muscular work. After that,
2 sets of a GK+5vs5+GK for 6 minutes with a 3-minute recovery between sets – 1st
set played with 3 touches with a valid first-touch goal and 2nd set played with 2 tou-
ches and a valid first or second-touch goal). After this extra work, the players who ha-
ven't played the previous game also complete their individualized program.
Individualized Program: two sheets are given to each player.
- The 1st sheet is about the physical work in relation to the player’s possible deficienci-
es and also any serious injury that he may have suffered during his career. The work
referred to in this document should be performed twice a week: usually Wednesday
afternoon and Thursday morning. This sheet is prepared using as its starting point an
assessment carried out at the beginning of the season by the medical department
and the regular physical tests.
- The 2nd sheet is focused on the technical work that has been chosen, taking into
account the shortcomings spotted in the previous game or using the need for a speci-
alization as a basis (for instance, direct free kicks and penalties). The work referred
to in this document should also be performed twice a week: usually Thursday mor-
ning and Saturday. This sheet is based on the impressions that the technical staff ex-
tracted from the video analysis of the previous fixture, as well as the training sessi-
ons
82

An example of a sheet with an individual program is found below:
ASSESSMENT AND PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL-TACTICAL COMPENSATION SHEET
Player: _________________________________________________________________________________
Physical Issues: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the _____________________________________ knee,
performed surgery in _______________________. Rigidity of posterior chain demonstrated by a flexibility test.
Physical Compensation Work: Posture for the posterior chain – Proprioceptive work with and without support
– Toning of flexors and adductors with an elastic band – lumbar dorsal abdominal – Back relaxation with ball –
Machine-based Strength Work.
Objective: Balancing the flexors and have high muscle tone in the upper limbs. Release the muscular tension
in the pelvis.
Tactical-Technical Issues: Difficulties in attacking air balls, despite high stature.
Technical-tactical Compensation Work: Calculation of trajectories based on where the ball is going to drop
and using circles to define the areas where the ball has to be attacked. Attack the ball after crosses from seve-
ral areas of the pitch; First, attack the ball without opposition and then with opponents.
Objective: The 1st objective is to understand whether the meagre attack on the ball, which is the match’s evi-
dent outcome, depends on the difficulty to understand the ball trajectory, the disruption performed by the oppo-
nent or the fear to attack the ball as expected; the 2nd objective is to clearly fix the shortcomings highlighted.
When the work should be conducted:
- Every day before the training session: posture – proprioceptive work with and without support – strengthening
the flexors and adductors with an elastic band.
- Every day at the end of the workout, relax the back with ball.
- Tuesday and Thursday in the morning: Strength workout with machines, IF the player has participated in the
Sunday match, he should only do Toning exercises on Tuesday.
- Thursday morning and Saturday: Technical exercise.
83

The exercise found in the individualized program should, whenever possible, be perfor-
med by players themselves. Initially, and they have to be familiar with the exercises,
and are currently assimilating the proper way to execute them, they should be guided
by the elements of the technical staff.
5:30 pm - The technical staff initiates the preparatory work for the next match with a
brief meeting, where they gather all available statistical data from the upcoming oppo-
nent. The coach and his assistant also split between them the videos of the upcoming
opponent’s last four matches (two for each). The remainder of the afternoon must be
used to watch, separately, the videos of those matches.
84

2.3. “Wednesday”
Wednesday morning:
9:30 am – Regular meeting of the technical staff to structure the two training sessions
scheduled for this day.
10:00 am – Morning training session
Objective: For this training session, there is an exclusively physical goal, which, on
this day, should be “strength specific”.
Organization: After starting the session with a specific strength-focused warm-up, a
“strength specific” circuit is performed next and the training session ends with a drilling
in tune with the intended goal:
85

- “GK+(5+5)vs(5+5)+GK game” played with a 3-touch limit and the goals are only valid
with a first-time shot. Two 6-player teams (GK+5v5+GK) face each other with the
support of 5 external supporting elements. Every minute, and when the coach gives
the sign, the 5 external supporting elements exchange roles with their five teamma-
tes who are in the pitch to play. 2 sets of 10 minutes are completed, with a 3-minute
recovery between sets. To achieve the goal, this session gives preference to short
spaces (30x20m match) in order to emphasize the muscular work to the detriment of
the organic work.
86

Wednesday afternoon:
3:00 pm – Afternoon Training session
Objective: Fix and solve the issues identified in the last game. Perform all corrective
situations with high intensity (in order to monitor the workout’s intensity, each player
uses a device during the session, allowing the staff to read the digital data).
Problems found in the previous fixture: During the build-up, the team excessively
opted for a horizontal play, barely opting for the vertical play. The team’s offensive tran-
sition was not very effective, despite the pressure applied and the number of recove-
red balls in the midfield of the opposing team. During the final minutes of the match,
the team had slightly to stay compact with both and without ball.
Organization: The warm-up begins with individual technique exercise, steadily increa-
sing its speed, and this training session phase ends with a 2-touch ball possession
exercise in narrow spaces. Then, 3 corrective exercises are applied to solve the pro-
blems found in the previous match.
87

Corrective Exercise no.1:
In relation to the lack of verticality in the team’s game, a GK+(8+2)vs(8+2)+GK game
is played on a 40x30m pitch, in which each team has 2 offensive supporting elements
placed beside the opponent’s goal. The players can only touch the ball 3 times at most
and the goal is only valid when there is a first-time shot. The goal is doubled if the last
pass comes from one of the offensive supporting elements and is trebled if the ball,
immediately after being recovered, is immediately played, using a vertical pass, to a
supporting offensive element, who then assists a teammate to score. 5 sets of 3 minu-
tes are performed, with 30 seconds of recovery after each set (therefore, each player
plays four sets inside the pitch and one as an offensive supporting element).
88

When the issue is the scarce number of counter-attacks after the ball is recovered
using high pressure, a game GK+10vs10+GK is played on a 55x40m pitch, with both
teams deploying the usual system. Normally, it’s played with 3 touches at most and
the goal is only valid with a first-time shot. Scoring in less than 5 seconds after a ball
recovery in the midfield of the opposing team is worth 3 times more. 3 sets of 4 minu-
tes with 1-minute recovery between the sets.
89

Regarding the team’s inability at the end of the match, when they were mentally and
physically tired, to keep itself tight (with players near each other) and “progress on the
pitch” when the opponent plays backwards, a GK+10x10+GK game on a pitch with the
same dimensions as the previous one (55x40m) should be organized, with the teams
deploying the normal system. 3 touches at most and they can only score with a first-ti-
me shot. The goal is valid only if all members of the team (except the Goalkeeper)
who managed to score it, are, during the shot, positioned on the opponent’s half (the
goal is doubled if any opponent remains in his own offensive half when that happens).
2 sets of 12 minutes with a 3-minute recovery between the sets.
At the end of the session, the technical staff assesses if the physical training’s objecti-
ve was accomplished, analyzing the data obtained using the workload device. The co-
ach and the assistant coach analyze the upcoming opponent.
90

2.4. Thursday
Thursday morning:
9:00 am - Meeting between the coach and the assistant coach on the next opponent.
They decide the content that must be worked out on the pitch, and that must be part of
the opponent’s video analysis.
9:30 am - Regular meeting of the technical staff to structure the two training sessions
scheduled for this day.
10:00 am – Morning training session
Objective: Correction of the issues found at the sectoral level in the previous match.
For this training session, there are no physical objectives, therefore the training should
be essentially didactical, without subjecting the players to an extensive physical wear.
Problems encountered at sectoral level in the previous match: The team
struggled whenever the opponents did changes on the wing, particularly in depth. The-
re was also a poor reaction, not complying with the game principles, to the uncovered
balls used by the opponents to challenge the defensive line. Taking these issues into
account, the players of the defensive line work with the coach, while the others con-
duct the work designated in their individualized program (physical level and technical
level).
91

Organization:
The defensive line moves horizontally during the ball circulation of the opponent midfi-
elders, from one wing to the other. This is a warm-up exercise, therefore the ball move-
ments begin with 2 touches at most at a slow pace, then the exercise increases its
speed, alternating between 1 and 2 touches.
92

Reaction when the ball is moved from one side to the other, after a backward pass.
This drilling works the change of direction of the game to the Winger on the opposite
side, there is a lot of attention placed on the position of the body (which should not be
very closed to the ball or too open in relation to the pitch) and the timing of the move-
ment (they should have as reference the support leg of the opponent who changes si-
des, in order not to risk a delayed movement).
93

A situation similar to the previous exercise, but this time the ball goes from one side to
the other with a deep play. Therefore, the movement of the three players accountable
to cover it changes, allowing them to quickly cover the space next to the goal, to inter-
cept a possible first-time cross from the opponent. The Full-Back on the side of the
ball should move in to close the crossing lane for the opponent who receives the ball.
94

This training targets a situation where the uncovered ball is played backwards from the
opponent Striker to a teammate. In the last match, this situation caused some difficulties for
the team. Even though the defensive line kept itself together and aligned, the truth is that
they tried to play an “offside trap”, which led to risky situations caused by wide-positioned
opponents. The coach positions himself next to the player who gets the ball from the Striker
and then decides whether he “covers” the ball or allows it to remain “uncovered” (a situation
where the ball-carrier moves towards the defensive line). When the ball is played
backwards, the defensive line should follow the ball and "shorten the pitch". If the ball is co-
vered by the coach, the defensive line must “remain high” on the pitch. If the ball is uncove-
red, the defensive line must come together and drop on the pitch, around 20 meters from
their own net (the defender should then advance to pressure carrier, while the remaining
three defenders cover their back, when the opponents have no possibilities left to play the
ball deep).
95

In the following link Francesco Calzona (assistant coach Maurizio Sarri) shows 27 trai-
ning exercises for the defensive line work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJwsAOfpOFI&t=2s
After the training session, the technical staff elaborates the video of the opposing
team's offensive phase, which shall be watched by the team in the afternoon.
Wednesday afternoon:
2:45 pm - Meeting with the team to analyze the opponent’s offensive phase. The co-
ach uses the tactical board to introduce the system of the opposing team and its offen-
sive moves. The meeting finishes with the assistant coach’s analysis of that same vi-
deo.
96

The video of the opposing team's offensive phase has the following order:
1. Any wide picture in which one can identify the system of the opposing team
and their starting positions in the offensive phase.
97

2. The choice of the Goalkeeper to start the game from the back. If he uses a
long ball, the area where the ball drops should be analyzed, as well as the
player who attacks the ball and how and by whom are attacked the spaces
behind him. If the Goalkeeper uses a short ball to start the build-up, the
analysis is focused on whether he opts for a certain area to play the ball or a
specific player.
98

3. Analysis of the opposing team’s ball possession in its defensive third, particu-
larly the ball movement done by players of the defensive line. One should try to
identify what type of build-up and players are used to initiate the play. If there
are players of the defensive line particularly vulnerable when pressured, those
should be identified, as well as those less technically gifted.
99

4. Analysis of the opposing team’s ball possession in its intermediate third, particu-
larly the midfielders who make themselves available to the ball-carrier defen-
ders and the way the action is developed.
100

5. Analysis of the opposing team’s ball possession in its offensive third, mainly fo-
cused on the movement of the forwards and how they attack the box in cros-
sing situations.
The video of the opposing team's offensive phase also takes into account all the
suggestions mentioned during the analysis of the previous match, in terms of length
(which should be brief, trying not exceed to 6/7 minutes) and also taking into account
the psychological implications giving the team’s momentum (show the opponent ha-
ving more or less success, depending on the objective).
101

3:00 pm – Afternoon training session
Objective: The match preparation on the pitch is started with this straining and the
sole purpose of this session is to practice the defensive phase.
Organization:
The training session takes place in three blocks of work.
1. A didactic phase against the system commonly used by the opponent and its
dynamics, played at low intensity as a warm-up.
102

Establishing that the next opponent will play with a system of 1-3-4-3, in which the
Goalkeeper always tries to play short balls from the back using one of his three defen-
ders who extend the width, this stage is prepared with “numbered dummies”, with two
alternating teams (one on the pitch and moving according to the “dummy” number
mentioned, and the other stretching outside the pitch). The work starts only with the
opposing “three defenders”, then “four midfielders” are added and finally “three
forwards”.
The three defenders display great quality when they have the ball in their possession,
managing to reach the midfield with ease. Once the ball reaches the offensive midfi-
eld, they opt to play a lot with the Wide Midfielders or Forwards (quite mobile and
always swapping positions) and then they force the opponents to drop their lines
(which becomes dangerous, since they have players of great efficacy at the front). The
decision for this match is to pressure the opponents, especially when the ball is played
in their defensive third (between the Goalkeeper and the three defenders). The only
change in relation to the usual system is the advance of the Inside Midfielder to the
Striker line. The team’s reaction to the first ball transmission between the opponent
Goalkeeper and one of his three defenders is essential, where the two players more
advanced on the pitch should isolate the ball-carrier from the other two teammates in
order to direct the ball to the wide.
103

If the ball reaches the defender placed in the middle, who preferably uses the right fo-
ot, he should be directed by those two players to his left.
104

After having decided that an intense pressure is crucial for this game, if any of the side
Center-Backs manages to beat the two-forward line with the ball, the team does not
drop, it continues to put pressure, using the Wide Midfielder on that side to force the
opponent to move inside, to ensure that a numerical superiority is not achieved on that
side of the pitch.
In the intermediate and defensive thirds of our team, the system and its dynamics do
not pose major problems, therefore one should not allocate a great amount of time to
it during this first part of the training.
105

2. Defensive phase in the several sectors of the pitch against the system and
dynamics used by the opponent.
Two teams face each other, one simulates the opponent and the other develops the
desired behavior for the defensive phase. After some time, the teams swap roles.
- In the offensive sector of the pitch, a situation is initiated, with the ball in the oppo-
nent Goalkeeper’s hand, who should pass it to one of his three defenders. The ball-
carrier defender, with the aid of his Central Midfielders, must take the ball up to their
offensive midfielder (without using long passes), in order to analyze and correct the
high pressure.
106

- In the middle sector of the pitch, a situation is initiated, with the ball in one of the two
of Central Midfielders of the opposing team. The usual play is having one of the Win-
gers dropping to get the ball behind the opposing midfield line, to allow the cutting
move from the Wide Midfielder on that same side. The option taken to counteract
that is forcing the ball-carrier Central Midfielder to the center of the pitch. If the ball
crosses the midfielder sector, the Central Midfielder accountable for the cover should
block the passing lane to the opponent Winger or he should be followed by the Full-
Back on that side. On the pitch, the ball is always played by one of the opponent Cen-
tral Midfielders who, after the coach gives the sign, which indicates an “uncovered
ball”, makes them initiate the preestablished movements, which must be solved in a
planned manner. After each action, the situation begins again, with the ball in one of
the Central Midfielders.
107

- In the defensive sector of the pitch, a situation is started by one of the opponent Win-
gers, who plays with “switched feet” (i.e., a left-footed plays on the right wing and a
right-footed plays play down the left wing). Their usual movements try to link-up with
the other two forwards, who attempt to get the ball deep, or play the ball to the Wide
Midfielder on the other side, who attacks the depth. The ball-carrier must be pressed
by the Central Midfielder on his side (who, if beaten, is covered by the other Central
Midfielder). Whenever the ball is “uncovered”, the defensive line must absorb the
opponent’s deep attack, dropping on the pitch. The Wide Midfielder on the opposite
side must cover the “weak side” (the ball’s opposite side). Do not let the players for-
get that, whenever the ball is "covered", they should move forward.
108

3. Defensive phase in numerical inferiority..
A line occupies ¾ of the pitch. The team that simulates the defensive phase must de-
fend their goal and try to beat the ¾ line with the ball controlled. The other team must
try to score, using the opponent’s usual system and trying to replicate their move-
ments. After playing some minutes in numerical evenness, the four players more ad-
vanced on the pitch can only engage in the defensive phase after the coach tells them
to (therefore, for a few seconds, the team will play in numerical inferiority). Attention
must be given to fixing the team movements whenever the opponents reinitiate the
play, to ensure a good temporary management of the numerical inferiority situation.
The drilling is completed by reversing the roles of their teams.
109

2.5. “Friday”
Friday morning:
10:00 am – There is training session for the players, but the technical staff gets to-
gether to perform the following tasks: elaboration of two more videos to show to the
team, one addressing the defensive phase of the opposing team and the other cove-
ring the set pieces of the opposing team (for and against). One should also prepare
the individual report of the players who are part of the opposing team (usually, these
players are already registered in the database, so the individual sheet only has to be
updated).
Friday afternoon:
2:30 pm – Regular meeting of the technical staff to organize the training session.
2:45 pm – Meeting with the team to analyze the defensive phase of the opposing
team. The meeting takes place in the same way as the previous ones, with the coach
talking first, to show the characteristics and movements of opponents in their defensi-
ve phase. The assistant coach then shows the video, to complement the coach’s
analysis.
110

The video of the opposing team’s defensive phase, which is edited taking into account
the same logic of the previous ones, has the following order:
1. Any image that allows seeing the opponent’s movement after their Goalkeeper
plays a long ball. Here, one tries to find any shortcomings at an individual level,
either in the air or when providing coverage to the teammate.
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2. Analysis of the opposing team's defensive phase in its offensive third. One
should try to understand if the players more advance on the pitch are attracted
to initiate the pressure, the areas where that happen and what references are
used. A lot of attention is placed on the possibilities to initiate the build-up from
the back, highlighting them to the players.
112

3. Analysis of the opposing team's defensive phase in its intermediate third. The
defensive moves of the Central Midfielders of the opposing team are studied,
checking if the defensive line gives them proper coverage.
113

4. Analysis of the opposing team's defensive phase in its third defensive. The
behavior of the defensive line is assessed in several game situations, trying to
show their actions and reactions to players.
In the video editing of the opposing team's defensive phase, we use the same re-
commendations of the previous videos. From a length standpoint, the video should al-
so have a 6/7-minute duration and the situations to be trained in the pitch afterwards
should be depicted. From a psychological point of view, one can emphasize the oppo-
nent‘s mistakes or right decisions, depending on the coach’s choice. For instance, one
can opt to show the opponent’s defensive errors in an attempt to increase the players’
confidence, so they can believe that it’s possible to get a positive result against a team
with good technical abilities, which is going through a great moment in terms of results
and has an excellent position in the table.
114

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