A delusive nine is a centre-forward who repeatedly moves towards the ball in deeper positions from a high starting place, much dropping to receive centrally. The chief intention is to get on the ball away from the opposition centre-backs – and, in doing therefore, to draw players out of put and disrupt the defense .
Where does the term false nine originate from?
It is thought that the false nine was first used by Corinthians in the belated 1890s. then, centre-forward GO Smith preferred to supply the wingers with through balls and create for others. This was a switch from staying angstrom high as potential, as was accustomed for the striker .
further examples include at 1920s River Plate, whose centre-forward acted as what at the time was described as a “ conductor ” in a five-man movement line. In the 1930s, Matthias Sindelar was used as a dropping centre-forward in the austrian national english. subsequently, Nándor Hidegkuti and Péter Palotás were used in the lapp means for the celebrated Hungary team of the 1950s.
Reading: The false nine: explained
‘ False nine ’ is a term that has only been used in more mod times, however. The idea is that the striker might have a count nine on their back but be active into ‘ fake ’ positions – that is, areas in which you would not normally find a number nine .
The first gear case of the assumed nine in a contemporary constitution is Johan Cruyff using Michael Laudrup in the role at Barcelona – in a team that included Pep Guardiola, who late used Lionel Messi in the role ( below ) .
What are the in-possession responsibilities of a false nine?
One of the most significant responsibilities for a delusive nine is timing movements away from the centre-backs to receive between the lines, both during sustained periods of possession and as a link to the forwards during counter-attacks. This movement into deep positions can give the opposition ’ s centre-backs a dilemma as to whether to follow the forward into midfield or leave them and stay in their slot. If the false nine gets their time right, they can cause havoc .
A top-level false nine needs exceeding awareness and the ability to scan regularly. In this way, they know where to take their first gear allude to avoid any incoming imperativeness, particularly from behind. This then helps them move into space to link with teammates .
It is besides important for a delusive nine to be versatile, and posse on-the-ball skills such as quick turn, dribbling and playing through balls. That said, finishing – frequently under significant defensive imperativeness from a assortment of angles – is hush an significant part of the function. Given a fake nine will frequently have to catch play up again after coming deep to link, they besides have to be adept at making immediate, late runs into the penalty sphere before finishing first time .
What are the out-of-possession responsibilities of a false nine?
A false nine entirely actually differs from an orthodox centre-forward when their team is in possession. Out of possession, they often perform the duties of a regular striker .
Their main defensive province much comes via counter-pressing, adding another numeral in central-midfield areas to help force play out wide or create a numerical overload to win the ball back .
When defending for prolong spells, the false nine much takes up a position as the highest cardinal actor. This means screening passes into the pivots or aggressively pressing the centre-backs.
Read more: S.S. Lazio
Who are the best false nines?
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was famously used as a fake nine under Guardiola, predominantly ascribable to his ability to receive between the lines, turn and penetrate with his huge dribble. Messi is exceptional at receiving on the half-turn ; if he created himself evening half a yard of space by dropping, he could then drive directly at the centre-backs. alternatively, if he was followed by one of the centre-backs, he was able to dribble away from blackmail and look for the wingers – frequently inside forwards playing on their ‘ faulty ’ flank – via through balls. These wingers started incredibly wide, before running into the space vacated by the pressing centre-back .
Cesc Fàbregas
Cesc Fàbregas was besides used as a false nine with Barcelona under Tata Martino, and besides in the Spain team that won Euro 2012 under Vicente del Bosque ( above ). Fàbregas was predominantly used there for his ability to receive under pressure and find a guide. Given how comfortable he was in cardinal midfield, he besides helped create meaning overloads in the center of the pitch. This gave his team more control during their build-up, as the confrontation midfielders much dropped to cover Fàbregas ’ position and block passes into him. From here, the likes of Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta – for both baseball club and nation – faced less blackmail when they received and could dominate the ball through the middle one-third of the peddle .
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema has demonstrated the attributes of a false nine at times throughout his career at Real Madrid, but particularly so under Zinedine Zidane. His dropping movements have besides seen him move into broad positions, both when facing a deeper blocking and through incisive counter-attacks. His movements and ability to hold on to the ball and link shimmer meant Real could find aim runs in behind from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo ( below ) and, on juncture, Gareth Bale excessively .
Who else is an example of a false nine?
• Harry Kane under José Mourinho for Tottenham ( below ) and under Gareth Southgate for England
• Roberto Firmino for Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp
• Francesco Totti for Roma under Luciano Spalletti
• Carlos Tevez for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson
• Michael Laudrup under Johan Cruyff at Barcelona
• Johan Cruyff under Rinus Michels at Ajax
• Raheem Sterling, Ferran Torres, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündogan have all played the role for Manchester City under Guardiola .
What are the benefits of playing with a false nine?
The dropping centre-forward helps create gaps in the enemy ’ s back line. If the opposing centre-back presses, gaps appear for others – normally a wide forward or attacking midfielder – to make a acute run into. If the full-back narrows as the centre-back presses, distance then appears to attack around the narrowed back argumentation. If no defender presses, the centre-forward can receive and turn freely between the lines. If a cardinal midfielder drops to screen the false nine, a central midfield teammate can then progress into the space they have left and pick a pass from there .
What are the disadvantages to playing with a false nine?
Playing with a false nine requires a central forward who possesses great quality on the musket ball but is besides comfortable receiving under blackmail between the lines. Without that, a false nine basically becomes useless.
Read more: Sevilla FC
besides, having a false nine means there is no immediate cardinal menace in behind the resistance ’ s back line, so there is little blackmail on them to drop. This can besides mean there is less threat from crosses into the center .
If the opponents set up with three centre-backs, they can much manage the cardinal spaces efficaciously against a fake nine, tied if one of the defenders follows them into midfield .
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