"Atalanta had to learn that the hard way in the Champions League last 16. Bayern enjoyed absurdly vast spaces and scored 10 goals. Rarely has a knockout-stage match been so one-sided."
"Man-marking can only be a short-term measure if you want to surprise the opponent and put them under pressure, as in handball just before the final whistle."
"The Spaniards therefore stick to a different idea they have adopted: ball-oriented defending, clearly defined positions and roles, organised combination football that shifts the action into the opposition's half."
"Their clubs have won a total of 24 titles in the three European competitions this century. Behind them come England with 11, then Italy and Germany with five and four respectively."
Man-marking, a retro tactical approach, has resurfaced in Germany following Atalanta's Europa League win in 2024. However, it proved ineffective against Bayern Munich, who scored 10 goals in a one-sided Champions League match. While man-marking can surprise opponents temporarily, it is not viable for an entire match due to the size of the pitch. In contrast, Spanish teams utilize ball-oriented defending and organized play, leading to significant success in European competitions, with 24 titles this century compared to Germany's four.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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