The False 9 : Tweaking the 4-3-3

The False 9

Most football formations rely on an out and out striker for being the pivot of the team’s offense. These formations usually employ wingers to stretch out the defense and creative midfielders to feed the forwards. However, a very interesting tactic used sometimes is the False 9. This tactic was developed to eliminate the requirement of clinical strikers and can be used in teams where the playing strikers (or No.9’s) are not performing or not present at all.

Origins:

Notably, this tactic was the brainchild of Luciano Spaletti, the then manager of AS Roma, where Francesco Totti played the role of the ‘false’ 9. In this tactic, the main striker (or No.9) instead of making runs into the opposition box is required to drop deep and pull the center backs of the opposition along with him. So, instead of stretching the defense, a hole is created in the defense where the wingers can rush in and take advantage of it. Hence, this formation requires fast wingers who can outpace their marking full backs. The 4-3-3 formation can be used effectively in this scenario. The player playing the False 9 position is therefore also required to have different skill sets than a traditional No.9. A No.9 is expected to play in the box, be strong and powerful in the air. However, the False 9 is required to have traits like quick passing and creative gameplay – the qualities of a No.10 or a creative playmaker. Hence, often midfielders are played in this position instead of strikers.

Using the False 9:

The tactic takes off the limitation of having a clinical forward in the forward position and this can be employed without using forwards at all like in Spain at the Euro 2012 where Fabregas played the role of a False 9. Lionel Messi however, is regarded as the best False 9 player currently and has created countless goals using the false 9 scenario for FC Barcelona. However, this tactic will work better against teams following the man-marking defense instead of the zonal defense. The changing face of football sees that the traditional “single position” players are required to play multiple positions. This calls for a high degree of versatility. Small changes and tactical advantages win games in modern football.