The diamond, the great forgotten

Many times we get lost in discussions comparing teams and players from different eras, as well know, or should know that every team and every player who leaves his mark in football history is the son of its time, its conditions and characteristics . Why be so hard to say whether Pep Guardiola's Barcelona is better than the Milan of Arrigo Sacchi, or if Maradona was better or worse than Messi. The way to understand the sport and coaching has evolved or has simply changed. Also the way you play, and coaches have changed the lines and arrows on their slates, or to adapt to new times, or to change them.

One thing never varies: it is that football is decided in the areas. However, over the years has increased the awareness of the importance of preventing the opponent reaches the area itself. You could say that football is becoming less brave, and as a rule is intended both as a rival off the game to activate itself. Thus was born the idea of double pivot until the trivote today. One of the most attractive game systems that could be seen on a football field, the midfield diamond shape, was a clear victim of the idea of accumulating players in the midfield.

A midfielder who stood in front of the defense and was in charge of cutting the rival game and output the ball. Two players on each side and a coupling connecting the center of the field to the front, formed by two players. Today day, is practically unheard of for a team play that way. The double pivot established the doctrine of play with a midfield that broke the game together with another rival with more skills to play the ball. An example, Pirlo and Gattuso in Milan. Over the trivote options multiplied, but the general idea was to put a cut defensive player behind two players with more travel and better quality. For example, Chelsea with Essien, Ballack and Lampard, with wide deployment, or Barcelona Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, with more quality.

Faced with all this, playing with one midfielder is presented as a distinct disadvantage in the center circle. In addition, the pins have specialized to destroy, create or become (which is known for box to box), but little midfielders who recovered the ball and ensure a clean exit. Redondo was, although the Argentine was adapted perfectly to a double pivot shared with Seedorf. Senna has been one of the best midfielders with these features enabled while Luis Aragones to play the selection with one man in front of the defense, although that Xavi, Iniesta and Silva threw a hand when needed.

Players band also played a dual role in the diamond system, as they were complying with the defensive work while totaling up front. It would be difficult to play with a diamond in which the ends were like Robben, for example. Defender would be your last concern, a bargain for the rival. Valdano, one of the leading advocates of this system had at Real Madrid with Luis Enrique or Amavisca, which also helped the defense to attack.

Hitch or midfielder was presented as a key figure. Should not forget to help defend when necessary, but his greatest concern was to find the necessary holes in the opposing defense for preventing their job front. Laudrup in Europe, and many South American players like Riquelme and Valderrama are some clear examples of the classic ten. Today, the figure of playmaker has been recycled trivote, if Xavi Iniesta or more latching midfielder. Or embedded between midfield and striker being sometimes more second tip.

With the diamond, the front two combine their features. One, the classic striker, Prowler patient area for a possible auction. Another, the second front, more mobile, with a possible drop a banda. Over time, the position of midfielder and the second front is mixed. A perfect example is that of Raul and Guti: cnethe diamond, the Besiktas player today was hitch and second striker Raul, but over the 4-2-3-1, both had to occupy the same position on the lawn, the center line three. Two players with diametrically opposite characteristics. So, rarely Guti could play in its true position, often having to adapt to the double pivot.

With this system, the usual discipline was looking to partner with single passes of grass and wait patiently for a gap in the opposing defense. If it did not arrive, the ball turned back and tried again. Without the ball, the famous pumping and the pressure of a eleven with his players very close together they tried to recover possession. Boca Juniors of Bianchi, who won the Madrid Intercontinental that Palermo and Riquelme in his prime, was one of the last great teams that won with the diamond. A gaming system that sounded good football and it did not matter much speculate as to go for the victory.

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Photos | precionante | ivalladt