Playing Style Germany

World Cup 2014 and Pro Licence Course

Björn Müller
Research Assistant & Tutor
INTRODUCTION

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Björn Müller (DFB)

INTRODUCTION

Insert paragraph text.

Björn Müller (DFB)

INTRODUCTION

“Our game idea was a fixed reference point, which allowed

us to carry out our daily work! This idea provided a sense of
security for coaches and players, but was so flexible that it
could be applied to situations and opponents of the WC. All
our actions in defense / offense and especially in transition
should always follow one principle:

Act consistently! ”
(Hansi Flick)

Björn Müller (DFB)

The four situations in football

Defending Attacking

Losing Ball Winning Ball

Possible to regain Impossible to Immediate attack Immediate attack

possession at once regain possession possible impossible
at once

Pressure Drop Back Counter Att. Build-up

Transition

Basic Defending Basic Attacking

Behaviour Behaviour
Björn Müller (DFB)
Transition

“The most important thing in football is the

moment where one wins or loses the ball.”
Gérald Houllier

Björn Müller (DFB)

U20 National Team: Principles
Losing the ball

try as fast as possible to regain the ball

One attacks – others
drop back
Decision
Drop back to ball Drop back behind Ball
„Pressure“ „Drop back“
4-8 sec on line ball-goal
chase / counter pressure compact
Situative pressure Organised pressure
Gaining the Ball Securing the Goal
Björn Müller (DFB)
U20 National Team: Principles
Gaining the ball

as fast as possible to score a goal

1st view forward
Decision

Counter Attack Build-Up

- opponent open - “Out“ “create space“
8-10 sec open the match
without ball fast ball circulation
with ball slow last third
Goal Goal preparation
Björn Müller (DFB)
Defending

Pressure Drop Back

First thought: winning the ball “Organisation”

Immediate pressure on opponents Back to the basic order
Regain ball through compactness

Björn Müller (DFB)

Attacking

Counter Att. Build-up

First idea: Offensive Possession game

Immediate finishing Finishing by combination play

Björn Müller (DFB)

Content Level – Defending Modules
Defensive Behaviour

Low Pressure MF Pressure High Pressure

Defensive Transition
Set Plays
Numbers-up/down
Flat Back Four
Basics: shift – contain – cover – double team –
communicate – one-on-one

Björn Müller (DFB)

Content Level – Attacking Modules
Attacking Behaviour
1: Finishing
Build-up Transitional Play Creating Chances
2: WingPlay 1b
1c
3: Pass to 2
Forward 1a
4: ComPlay
7 5 3
5: cross-field 4 1
pass
6: Build-up

7: VertPlay 8
6
8: Counter Att. Set Plays

Björn Müller (DFB)

The four situations in football

Björn Müller (DFB)

EXEMPLARY GUIDELINES DEFENSIVE
If pressing opportunity after losing possession then put player who is in possession
of ball under pressure immediately! 2 to 3 players chase the ball!
If no pressing opportunity after losing possession then return to the basic order!
Compact organisation!
Only initiate pressing from the basic order from a compact block!
Recognize suitable "triggers"!
Secure the central axis! Always occupy this zone! Fall back
towards goal in compact formation!
In front of own goal consistently mark opponent one-on-one and
also attack one-on-one!

Björn Müller (DFB)

EXEMPLARY GUIDELINES OFFENSIVE
If counter opportunity after winning the ball then quick finish! Look for the deepest
passing option!
If counter opportunity after winning the ball then 4-5 players become active, the
rest follow suit!
Controlled build-up based on the best possible layout (width /
length) and “decent" passing!
Variable transition game with combinations down the centre,
variable wing attacks and cross-field passes!
Dominant possession of ball under extreme pressure from
opponents!

Björn Müller (DFB)

System (Group phase, round of 16)

Björn Müller (DFB)

Germany: 4:3:3
 A clear central midfielder (Lahm, 6er) in front
of the flat-back four with Hummels,
Mertesacker, Boateng and Höwedes

 Two midfield players, slightly pushed forward,

in left and right midfield, which fall back flexibly
to secure the centre midfield

 3 attackers with regular position changes

 Variable combination game width- and depth

Björn Müller (DFB)

4:3:3 => but different strategies
1st match 2nd match 3rd match

Round of 16

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System (quarter-finals to final)

Björn Müller (DFB)

Germany: 4:2:3:1
 Two defensive central midfielders
(Schweinsteiger / Khedira) variably switching
forward

 Strong offensive impulses down the right side

(Lahm)

 3 offensive midfielders in front of the two

central midfielders and Klose as a further centre
forward

 Role of Klose: Target player for combination

play through the centre and finisher in the box
Björn Müller (DFB)
4:2:3:1 => but different strategies
Final

Semi-finals

Quarter-finals

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Tactical Variability: System change during match

Björn Müller (DFB)

Tactical Variability: System change during match

Björn Müller (DFB)

Quote

“In order to be successful today the most

important thing is a real team. At the World Cup we
presented ourselves as a unit; this was the key to
our success. In addition, Argentina and Germany
scored the most goals after regaining the ball and
after fast transition. Therefore the defense was
already the initiator of the first offensive action.
We managed to commit the least fouls and thus
avoided goals after set plays.“
Joachim Löw

Björn Müller (DFB)

 CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
 Compactness (defensive / offensive)

 Large (team) tactical spectrum

of variations in the tournament

 Goal-oriented combination
football coupled with
individual action

 World Cup squad of great quality

 Highly professional technical

support team / management around
the team

 Team spirit and winning mentality !!! Björn Müller (DFB)

Quote

Björn Müller (DFB)