welcome to my new tactic emulation.
This time I tried to emulate the first version of Total Football, Rinus Michels's Holland at 1974 World Cup.
I made a youtube video where you can see the analysis of how Holland played in World Cup 1974, the formation in possession and out of possession and how the players moved during the different phases of the game.
Then, I added some highlights of that world cup too. Then I introduce how to create the tactic on Football Manager 2023 and then show you the in-game creating, and finally the results I had in the season 2023-2024 with PSG , without any player transfer-bargain (when I started the save, I checked "do not allow transfers in the first session that means in summer 2023 I could not do any transfer.
In the second session, January 2024, I rejected all the offers I received for my players and did not make any offer for any other team players. I used an updated database and started my career on June 2023, so at the beginning of this season and not at the beginning of the game.
If we think about modern football, we think of something fluid, characterized by off-the-ball movements and quick exchanges between players. We think of courageous defenses pushing forward to try to stifle the opponent's play.
However, it can undoubtedly be said that all of this was anticipated and developed by Rinus Michels' Netherlands in 1974.
This magnificent team, with Cruijff as its leading figure, didn't manage to win the competition (losing in the final), but it showed the world something new that would go down in history as Total Football.
In particular, when observing the 2-0 victory over Brazil (the reigning champion), it becomes evident how the team led by Michels was already ahead of its time compared to other teams (even the best ones). Let's delve into the characteristics of this Netherlands team in more detail.
Giving a numerical definition to this team is quite limiting, but if we were to try to define a basic system for this team, we could call it a 4-2-4 or a 4-2-3-1 (depending on Cruijff's position).
In goal, Jongbloed was fielded; the defensive line consisted of Suurbier on the right and Krol on the left (although often the two freely exchanged flanks), with both full-backs pushing forward vigorously to provide width to the Dutch attack and allow the wingers to cut inside the field.
The central defenders were Rijsbergen (the marker of the defensive line) and Haan (a player with great technical ability, crucial in the build-up play).
The two central midfielders were Jansen and Van Hanegem, both essential in maintaining balance for a team that always sought to move forward. At the same time, both, especially Van Hanegem, were highly skilled in passing and geometry.
The attacking line consisted of four players, with Rep on the right and Rensenbrink on the left (both highly technically proficient and fast), and Neeskens and Cruijff (the captain and absolute talent of the team) roamed freely in the central zone, dropping deep to meet the team and participate in the passing game to avoid giving reference points to opposing central defenders and to provide numerical superiority for their team during the development phase.
In the possession phase, it's even more challenging to provide a numerical definition for Michels' team setup. However, we could describe their arrangement as a 2/2-6 formation.
Rijsbergen and one of either Haan or Jansen were tasked with pre-marking the opposing forwards (who would often be sought with long passes). Van Hanegem and one of Jansen or Haan positioned themselves halfway between the two pre-markers and the rest of the team, providing constant support for Dutch possession play.
The remaining six players formed a cohesive block that constantly rotated among themselves (although Suurbier and Krol tended to stay wider).
This rotation was designed to deny reference points to opponents and create space for themselves, offering a passing outlet for the player in possession of the ball. It's evident that this structure was made possible by the high technical and tactical quality of all Michels' players.
They demonstrated the ability to adapt to the various situations that the game presented regardless of the area of the field they had to occupy at that moment. This adaptability based on the team's needs in a particular situation is the foundation of positional play in football.
In the defensive phase, providing specific numbers is also very complex because players must adapt their roles based on their position on the field. Nevertheless, there was a tendency to form a 4-4-1/1 structure.
One of either Cruijff or Neeskens would take turns staying higher up the pitch to disrupt the opposing center-backs and preemptively mark them when they attempted long passes. The other player in the Dutch duo would hinder the opponent's central midfielder from dropping deep to assist in the build-up. If the opponent received the ball, they would be immediately pressurized.
Rep and Rensenbrink formed a line of four with Van Hanegem and Jansen, but even in this case, the players (except Jansen, who stayed somewhat deeper) tended to detach from the line to press the opponent in their respective zones as soon as they gained possession.
The defensive line comprised Suurbier, Haan, Rijsbergen, and Krol, and it played high and aggressively to maximize the offside trap and keep the team compact.
Possession Phase
Regarding the build-up, the key player is Haan. He is highly technically skilled and often receives the ball, unafraid to manage it, take risks, and engage in one-on-ones in his own half, knowing that his fellow defender Rijsbergen is ready to cover for him.This enables him to carry the ball into the opponent's half and play a vertical pass to an attacking teammate (often either Cruijff or Neeskens, who serve as high points) or an outside forward.
When Haan cannot progress into the opponent's half for vertical passes, the Dutch defender can pass the ball to Van Hanegem (who then initiates the Dutch build-up characterized by numerous exchanges) or to Jongbloed, who, after receiving the ball (back-passes were still allowed), will attempt a long pass to one of the four players in the forward line (most often Cruijff or Neeskens).
The development phase of Michels' team is marked by the great movement of its players, especially Cruijff and Van Hanegem. While the width in possession is provided by Suurbier and Krol's movements across the wings, Van Hanegem and Cruijff are the real stars because they constantly adjust their positions to support the player in possession. Van Hanegem often drops deeper to provide support, while Cruijff moves forward to offer an advanced option.
This results in continuous player rotations in the central part of the field, forming triangles and diamonds in the build-up. The ball moves quickly between players and is then played wide behind the opponent's defense to one of the full-backs, who can cross for one of the many attacking teammates entering the opponent's box.
The typical sequence in which the Netherlands developed their play involved: the ball to Van Hanegem, a pass to Rep or Rensenbrink (who had moved inside, dragging their marker and creating space for the full-back), a lay-off to Cruijff or Neeskens, a return pass to Van Hanegem, a wide ball to Suurbier or Krol, and a cross behind the defense to find Cruijff, Rep, Neeskens, or Rensenbrink.
Another characteristic of Michels' team is the use of non-"positional" attackers who are playmakers in the attack, such as Cruijff and Neeskens. These players don't stay static in the penalty area to be marked by opposing defenders; instead, they move towards the team, shifting the opposing defensive line. This movement creates spaces that can be exploited by their attacking teammates who advance, providing numerical superiority and facilitating quick passing play.
This tactical flexibility and the ability of Cruijff and Neeskens to adapt to the game context by moving to create space and opportunities for their teammates were key elements in the success of Michels' system of play. Their skill in combining fast passing with intelligent movement made the team extremely dangerous in attack.
As for the work on the flanks, we've already discussed how this responsibility falls to Suurbier and Krol (full-backs with the qualities of wide attackers). The play that the Dutch team most frequently employed involves laying off the ball to Cruijff or Neeskens, with Rep and Rensenbrink tucking inside to draw the opposing defense in.
Krol and Suurbier attack rapidly into the open spaces to receive the ball from the layoff by Cruijff or Neeskens, or from the vertical pass played by Van Hanegem (if he received the layoff from the forwards). They then deliver a swift cross behind the defense.
The 2-0 goal scored by Cruijff against Brazil perfectly illustrates this. Haan delivered a pass to Krol, the full-back laid it off to Neeskens, who came forward, causing the Brazilian defensive line to step up.
Neeskens then played a deep ball down the left flank, received by Krol, who had by then advanced to the opponent's penalty area. Krol delivered a cross behind the Brazilian defensive line, and with them focused on Neeskens, Cruijff, who had already bypassed the Brazilian central defenders, could attack the near post and receive Krol's cross.
The non-possession phase of Michels' team is characterized by the players' high level of aggression. The objective is to suffocate the opposing ball carrier by pushing forward and pressing them as soon as they enter the player's area of responsibility.
This constant pressure forces the opponent to retreat continuously until they are compelled to play a long pass. At that point, the defensive line moves up to the midfield to catch the opposing attacker offside if the ball is played towards them.
Defending line very high to keep the team compact.
Non-Possession Phase
In the non-possession phase, Michels' team displayed a high level of aggression. The goal was to press the opposing ball carrier relentlessly as they entered the player's area of responsibility.This constant pressure forced the opponent to retreat continually until they were compelled to play a long pass. At that point, the defensive line moved up to the midfield to catch the opposing attacker offside if the ball was played towards them.
This approach led the Dutch forward line of four to continuously press the opponents in their own half. This tactic could potentially expose the Dutch defensive line to a counter-attack by an opponent who could quickly break through their pressing via fast passing or sprinting. However, this risk was mitigated by the tactical intelligence of Van Hanegem and Jansen.
They acted as the "second defense," covering the back of the forward who pushed forward and immediately closing down the opponent coming out of the pressure (even committing fouls if necessary) before they could gain momentum.
To allow for this ultra-aggressive approach, it was crucial to carefully time when to move the defensive line. Haan served as the coordinator of the defensive unit, guiding their movements and instructing teammates to step up to continually compress the space for the opponents, forcing them to play in tight areas where the Dutch were often superior to their adversaries. The overall result was a continuous territorial gain by Michels' team.
The forwards pressured the ball carrier, who was forced to retreat. As they retreated, the defense stepped up, and Van Hanegem and Jansen worked to further close the gap between the four attacking players and the defensive line. Consequently, the opposing team was forced to play quickly and in very tight spaces, often resulting in turnovers.
Transitions
The transitions of the Dutch national team led by Michels were heavily influenced by the incredible density the team maintained around the ball (a result of their defensive aggressiveness and off-the-ball movement in possession).If the team was in possession and lost the ball, they would have many players in close proximity to the opponent who had regained possession and could immediately press to regain control of the ball (negative transition).
If the team had just won back the ball (positive transition), the player in possession could choose to play quickly with one of the nearby teammates to initiate the rapid passing sequences typical of this team.
Alternatively, if the situation allowed, they could initiate a fast counter-attack in open space, capitalizing on the technical skill possessed by all players in the team.
In conclusion, we can say that the Netherlands of 1974 played a crucial role in the development of modern football characterized by intensity and off-the-ball movements.
Its strengths included:
1. The Difficulty for Opponents to Find Stable Reference Points on the Field: This was due to the constant movement and interchangeability among Michels' players.
2. The Versatility of Its Players: Dutch players were functional in every area of the field, forcing their direct opponents to follow them across the pitch, thereby opening up spaces in the defensive system that could then be exploited by another player.
3. The Exceptional Individual Technical Skills of Its Players: The team was filled with players who possessed outstanding technical abilities.
4. A Star Like Cruijff: Johan Cruijff's ability to roam across the field forced multiple opponents to track him, creating space for his teammates.
5. A Highly Aggressive Defensive Phase: Their aggressive defensive style pressured opponents into making mistakes.
Weaknesses included:
1. The Need for Perfectly Timed Defensive Movements: The Dutch team relied on precise defensive line movements to advance, and any mistiming could expose them to long balls over the top.
2. Limited Defensive Contribution from Rep and Rensenbrink: These attacking players were not as inclined to defend the flanks in their own half.
3. Frequent Fouls Committed by Van Hanegem and Jansen: When an opponent managed to break through the pressing of the attacking players, Van Hanegem and Jansen often resorted to fouls to halt the play.
Overall, the 1974 Netherlands team left a lasting impact on football with its innovative and dynamic style of play, and their approach to the game has influenced the way football is played today.
HOW TO EMULATE TOTAL FOOTBALL ON FOOTBALL MANAGER 2023
TACTIC: 4-2-4 (OR 4-2-3-1 DEPENDING ON CRUIJFF’S POSITION)IN POSSESSION: 2-2-6
NON-POSSESSION: 4-4-1-1
We should start from the non-possession formation to emulate the tactic in Football Manager, because when the players have the ball then they will move according to the tactic to the positions they have in the possession phase.
So, now let’s examine how I emulate this on Football Manager 2023
In this emulation, we are looking for player rotations, high press, and attacking mentality where everyone contributing to the attacking phase because this is what total football means, every player must be able to play in every position, attack as a team and defend as a team.
1. Formation Line-Up and Mentality
First of all, formation and mentality.
For total-football, an attacking mentality is a must, so let’s start with this.
The formation, as mentioned before, when in possession was a 4-2-4 or a 4-2-3-1 depending on Crujiff’s position, while when out of possession, it was a 4-4-1-1. It’s my personal opinion that to decide what formation to pick up, you must start using the out-of possession formation, because when the team gets the ball back, the players will move to form the attacking formation.
Having that said, in this case, we have the two wingers, Rep and Rensenbrink who are a part of a block of 6 attacking players which includes them, the two full-backs and the two forwards. To replicate this, we can’t put the two wingers too down, in line with the midfielders, so we must make a compromise.
I believe the best compromise is a 4-3-3 with two wingers high-up and instead of 2 midfielders on the same line, one close to another, we will have 3 midfielders, one of them will drop down, in front of the defense to cover up more, while the other two midfielders will have more attacking duties.
2. Team Instructions
In total-football, possession is one of the keys, so your team must control the ball. To do so, I chose shorter passing, so that the players will pass the ball to each other with greater accuracy and less mistakes while they move all around the pitch. Michels wanted his team to play wide, so a wide attacking width is also a must.
What about tempo? Well, players in total football moved very fast, but to replicate it on Football Manager Match Engine, you should select Higher tempo, but this will lead your players to mistakes sometimes, so a slightly higher tempo is maybe a better choice to retain possession more. Work the ball into the box is also a good choice if you want to see good possession play.
Another instruction you can give ONLY if your players have good skills is be more expressive. Why? Because this way those more skilled players will sometimes try something different from the tactic instructions and probably create more opportunities to score.
The other thing we must notice is Crujiff and Neeskens roles, they are real playmakers in attack, they create space for other players, they switch positions and duties, one drops deeper the other moves forward, they are an example of non-positional forwards.
In the transition phase, counter and counter-press are both a must, if you search some video of Rinus Michel’s Holland games, you will see how they pressed the opponents and immediately started fast counter-attacks.
With the aggressive defense, the off-the-ball movement in possession and the density they had, when they lost the ball, there were many players close to the opponent who had the ball so they could immediately counter-press to regain control and once won the ball they will play quickly to the nearby teammates or try a fast counter-attack.
In defense, as we said, we want high press, so to keep the team compact, our defensive line must be higher or much higher too. Obviously, trigger press will be on much more often and also prevent short Gk distribution and stay up (to use off-side trap).
On football manager 22 the instruction was “use offside trap” but on Football manager 23 they changed it to stay higher. Well, we have other two options here, trap outside or inside and stop crosses or invite crosses. I chose trap outside and stop crosses too. Let’s explain this.
Trap outside as written in the game instructions means that you force your opponents to attack from the flanks, to play the ball wide because the center is not an available option.
If you do that, you have one great advantage, because your opponent can dribble just straight or cutting inside because he can’t go wider or it will be a throw-in, or he can pass the ball back to another player and this means slowing down the play making it easier for our players to steal the ball. If you trap inside, you funnel the ball into the center and force turnover in advantageous areas but it’s always a risk that the opposition tries to exploit the flanks.
The other two options, if you invite crosses it means you want to allow the opponent to cross the ball in the box because you know your defenders are taller than the opponent’s forwards, it’s quite risky if your opponent usually likes to play long balls or a lot of crosses so I often choose to stop crosses or I don’t choose any of those two options.
3. Players roles and instructions
Let’s start from Jongbloed, he was comfortable in playing the ball and he can be considered a pioneer of the sweeper-keeper role. He is a sweeper-keeper on attack duty.
As I said before in the tactic explanation, the two full-backs were pushing forward to provide width. That means we have two options here. One is to choose a role like complete wing-back or wing-back because they already have the “run wide with the ball” as preset instruction and in the case of the complete wing-back there is also another preset instruction, “stay wider”.
The other option is to choose a full-back and give the instruction myself. If I give this instruction, it is enough to provide width and I don’t need, unless I want, to choose overlap right and left in the team instructions. Conversely, if you choose the overlap instruction you can avoid to give the full-backs.
For this tactic I chose one wing-back on support duty on the right to emulate Suurbier and one complete full-back on support on the left to emulate Krol.
Let’s see now the two central defenders, one was Rijsbergen, the more defensive one so I will choose a simple central defender on defense for him and tell him to mark tighter while the other was Haan a ball-playing defender, the more technical one.
I will put him on defense duty because in my opinion it’s always better that the two defenders even if they have different roles (such as in this case a central defender and a ball playing defender) have the same duty, to avoid one of them moves later than the other and the offside trap does not work.
If you still want to emulate Haan’s stopper duty, you can set him as stopper (he was a former midfielder converted by Rinus Michels into a central defender), besides, since he often moved forward and carried the ball into the opponent’s half, I will give him the instruction to dribble more.
Let’s now examine the midfielders, the one in front of the defense, the one who dropped more to help the defense to cover was Janssen, very good at tackling and marking. For him, I think a defensive midfielder role on defend is the best to stop opponent’s attacks in the central area of the pitch between our midfielders and our defenders.
The other two midfielders, one of them. Van Hanegem was more technical and had great skills with the ball and great passing skills, I think for him, a deep-lying playmaker would be a good choice.
Now, the other midfielder of our 4-3-3. I believe a central midfielder on attack or a mezzala on attack with the instruction to get further forward is the best way to replicate his movements to replicate the attacking fluidity of the classic Total Football system.
I think if we pair a deep-lying playmaker with a mezzala, the first one can dictate play from deep positions, meanwhile, the mezzala on attack is an attack-minded role that looks to make forward runs into the box and contribute to the attack. This combination can create overloads in central areas during possession, resembling the 4-2-4 shape more realistic.
If we pair a deep-lying playmaker with a central midfielder on attack, we provide a balance between creativity and forward runs. The central midfielder will join the attack with more urgency and this setup can also mimic the 4-2-4 shape in possession.
In my tactic I choose a mezzala, even if the central midfielder is also a valid option because you can edit him more compared to the mezzala.
Then, the attacking three, I think both wingers, Rep on the right and Rensenbrink on the left should be considered as 2 inside forwards on attack duty.
You can instruct them to shoot more often, roam from position to encourage specific movements and decision-making, cut inside with ball and to sit narrower if you want them to be closer to the box, since Crujjff’s role, a trequartista, allows him to drop down, even to the midfield to get the ball and play it as he wants. Crujff was a genius who moved all around the pitch without any tactic limitations and other players could exploit the space left by him and attack the box.
Finally, Cruyff. The best choice if you want to replicate his style of play and his movements is the Trequartista role. You can instruct him to roam from position to encourage even more movement and creativity.
That’s all for this tactic creation explanation.
Thank you all!
Discussion: Total Football 4-3-3 // TREBLE Winning // 151 Goals in 1 Season
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