Zonal Marking Versus Man-to-Man: What Each System Asks of a Defender
Two defensive philosophies – tracking a player or covering a patch of grass – demand different disciplines from defenders, and fail in different ways.
Andrea Pirlo
Italian deep-lying playmaker, the modern regista.
Istanbul 2005: The Tactical Story of Liverpool's Comeback
Three down at half-time, Liverpool changed shape and changed the game. The 2005 final is remembered for emotion, but a structural adjustment made it possible.
Andrea Pirlo and the Modern Regista
Pirlo turned the space in front of the defence into a creative hub. His career shows how a playmaker can shape a game from deep rather than between the lines.