Sibo Philosophy
Part 3
Positional Play
Ange Postecoglou
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By Sibo Magongo
INTRODUCTION
Going a month unbeaten has been a pleasant surprise for a team as undervalued as Tottenham,
having gone through a hectic pre-season where they lost arguably their greatest-ever player
SYSTEM OF PLAY: 4-2-3-1
Ange Postecoglou has set-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation so far this season, allowing for the best to
come out of his midfield triangle with a clearly defined ‘6’, ‘8’, and ’10’. The triad of Maddison,
Sarr and Bissouma have been immaculate to start the campaign.
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Ange Postecoglou’s attacking style focuses on fluid rigidity to achieve various pitch superiorities
(numerical, qualitative, dynamic, and positional). Rather than just possession, Spurs are
attempting to accelerate play at the right moment to strike.
Tactics Overview
The team starts as a 4-2-3-1 but during possession, they turn into a 2-3-5. Unlike other teams,
Tottenham implements two inverted full-backs which is unique. The fullbacks move centrally
and the CDM drops deep to form a link between the center-backs and the inverted fullbacks.
This creates smooth ball circulation.
As the play progresses to the second phase, the second CDM(cm) moves deeper towards the
flanks, while the AMF, RW, and CF move a bit wide to create a double diamond on one side of
the pitch. This usually creates numerous vertical and diagonal passing lanes into the final third.
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This also gives a significant overload centrally with the fullbacks moving centrally the team
manages to create a Midfield powerhouse with 5v3, leaving multiple players unmarked
providing more passing options, and helping to move the ball effectively. In the illustrated
examples, while they are in 3-2-5, full-backs (Porro and Destiny) invert to open the passing
angles for the wide players and create overloads to facilitate clean progression. Both No. 8s drop
wide from the interior channels to receive.
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Final Third
The team players a 2-3-5 setup but adds some flexibility and positional rotation to it. The
players are to move into spaces and rotate positions which makes the opponent's defensive line
confused. With No. 8s, the inverted full-backs usually create waves of movements into the
half-space that are very confusing. Usually, that’s followed by a diagonal movement for the
reverse No. 8 in the gap between the opposition’s centre-backs. At the same time, the striker
drops off/takes the attention of the other defender
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Without the ball (defensive Phase)
The Team prioritizes winning the ball in advanced positions on the field. When Pressing they
transform from a 2-3-5 into a 4-1-3-2 setup meaning that the striker and the number 10 press
the opponent's defense whilst the wingers mark the full-backs while the other CM(8) keep a
close eye on the opposition pivot creating a 5 man high press strategy.
At Times the CDM falls back to create a back three with the left CBs
Player Roles
CF-Deep lying forward- to link the attack to the midfield. Runs into open space withor without
the ball.
LW & RW- inverted winger. Moves into open space on the flanks but also stays wide at times.
AMF- Roaming Playmaker- move out of position to find spaces.
CDM- Roaming playmaker- moving back to create wide patterns
CDM- Anchor Man- connects defense to attack while detecting the teams tempo.
RB & LB- Inverted Full Backs- move into midfield creating an overload
CB’s- Ball playing defenders but still staying back.
GK- Sweeper keeper-
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SHORT PASSING STYLE
