⚽Three Centre-Backs – And Still Brave

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Hello and warm welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, the following topics take center stage:

1. ⚽Three Centre-Backs – And Still Brave (incl. Checklist)

2. 📽️Video Recommendation

⚽ Three Centre-Backs – And Still Brave

How Modern Back Threes Really Work

There used to be a clear image:
Three centre-backs? That meant parking the bus. Five at the back, deep block, no risk. A system built on fear.
But that’s changed – radically.

Today, the back three isn’t a sign of retreat. Quite the opposite: it’s often a bold, structured way forward. Those who understand it know: this formation is now part of football’s tactical avant-garde.

🧱 The Old Prejudice: Wall Instead of Play

For a long time, back threes were mainly associated with two things:

• Defending against stronger opponents

• Destroying play rather than creating it

Especially at major tournaments like the Euros or World Cup, underdogs turned to a back five to crowd the middle and cover the wings with hard-working full-backs. It worked – but it wasn’t pretty.

But that view is outdated. Because today’s back three isn’t defensive out of fear, but out of conviction – and more than anything, it’s a tool for smarter buildup and proactive possession play.

📐 What Is a Modern Back Three?

Simple:

• Three central defenders

• Two wide players (usually wing-backs) who can play high or deep depending on the phase of play

• High tactical flexibility in possession, pressing, and transitions

Importantly: it’s not a rigid “five-man defense” – it’s a fluid structure. A 3-4-3 often shifts into a 3-2-5 or 3-1-6 in buildup, depending on the opponent, pitch zones, and match dynamics.

🚀 Bravery Through Structure: What Today’s Back Threes Deliver

1. Structured Buildup
Three defenders provide more angles, more calmness, and more resistance to pressing.
→ Especially useful against aggressive high presses.

2. Width AND Security
Wing-backs provide attacking width, while five players stay in position to secure the rest defense.
→ Teams can play high lines while staying compact.

3. Flexible Midfield
With defensive cover, midfielders can take more creative risks and push higher.
→ Your “eights” become bolder and more fluid.

4. Greater Positional Control
Three at the back helps organize possession through smarter spatial occupation.
→ Classic example: Leverkusen, Inter, or Atalanta.

🧠 Example: Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen

Leverkusen has played an asymmetrical back three throughout the 2024/25 season.

• Tapsoba (centre) organizes the game

• Tah (right) adds athletic cover

• Hincapié (left) plays almost as a hybrid between centre-back and left-back

What stands out:
These players build play, not just stop it. They push high in possession, are technically confident, and brave – never passive.

👀 But What About Losing the Ball?

Great question – because yes, possession always comes with risk.

The answer?

• Width comes from wing-backs, not deep full-backs – so they’re ready to recover instantly after turnovers

• With three centre-backs, rest defense is often better than in a back four with high full-backs

• Back threes anticipate transitions – players are already in position to react to ball loss

In short:
You attack with intent – and defend with foresight.

🧰 Back Three ≠ Defensive: It’s a Matter of Perspective

So why do people still think back threes are defensive?

Because they look defensive – five across the back looks like a wall.

But modern tactics aren’t about shape alone. They’re about:

• Space occupation

• Game intentions

• Structure in motion

A 4-2-3-1 can be passive. A 3-4-3 can be bold.
It’s not about numbers – it’s about principles.

🗣️ What Do the Coaches Say?

Pep Guardiola once put it simply:

And Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta) phrased it more practically:

In other words:
Courage comes from structure – not from chaos.

📌 Conclusion: The Modern Back Three Is a Springboard – Not a Wall

It’s no longer a symbol of fear. It’s a platform for bold, controlled, dominant football.

Those who play with three centre-backs today aren’t looking for a 0-0.

They’re thinking about:

• Controlled dominance

• Calculated bravery

• Taking risks with built-in insurance

And maybe, that’s where the future of football lies:
No longer choosing between attack and defense – but combining both in a single, dynamic system.

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📽️Video Recommendation

Oliver Glasner is the current manager of Crystal Palace. He previously lead Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory. With a career rooted in resilience and personal growth, he brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to lead a team and overcome challenges.

In this episode, Oliver shares his insights on what it takes to build a successful team, emphasising the importance of trust, respect, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. With a focus on teamwork and unity, he also delves into how fostering confidence and communication on and off the pitch leads to stronger performance.

This episode is all about mindset, growth, and what it really takes to lead, with heart, purpose, and a bit of risk.

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