Breaking Down the False 9 Soccer Position

The Importance of the False 9 Soccer Position in Tiki-Taka Style of Play

The false 9 position plays a crucial role in the Tiki-Taka style of play, which emphasizes quick, short passes and ball possession. The false 9 is a center-forward who drops deep into the midfield area to create space for the attacking midfielders and wingers [3]. This movement allows the team to overload the midfield and maintain possession, which is a key feature of Tiki-Taka soccer.

To be successful in the false 9 role, players need to have exceptional skills in movement, dribbling, vision, and passing. They should also have a good understanding of their role and what is expected of them. Without these key attributes, players are unlikely to make a success of the role.

In Tiki-Taka soccer, the false 9 position is essential for creating scoring opportunities. The player in this position can draw defenders out of position, create space for teammates, and distribute the ball to other attacking players . By dropping deep into midfield, the false 9 can help break down tight defenses and create openings for the team to exploit.

Furthermore, the false 9 allows for fluidity in the team’s attacking movements, as the player in this position has the freedom to roam around and link up play with other players [2]. This movement and interchangeability of positions are essential in the Tiki-Taka style of play, as it allows the team to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities.

The false 9 position plays a crucial role in the Tiki-Taka style of play, which emphasizes quick, short passes, and ball possession. The player in this position must possess exceptional skills in movement, dribbling, vision, and passing and have a good understanding of their role in the team. The false 9 allows for fluidity in the team’s attacking movements and creates scoring opportunities by drawing defenders out of position, creating space for teammates, and distributing the ball to other attacking players

Players Known for Playing the False 9 Soccer Position

• Lionel Messi 

• Francesco Totti

• Carlos Tevez

Lionel Messi, Francesco Totti, and Carlos Tevez are all talented soccer players who have made their mark in the game. One of the interesting things that tie them together is that they have all played the false 9 position at some point in their careers.

The false 9 is a unique type of center forward, one who tends to drop deep and join the midfield in possession, rather than lurk around the box for scoring opportunities. While forwards who drop deep are a common sight in front twos, the false 9 is employed as a lone center forward, usually in a 4-3-3 or in other variations such as a 4-1-4-1.

One of the most famous examples of a player who has excelled in the false 9 position is Lionel Messi. Messi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team, has won a record-setting seven Ballon d’Or awards as the world’s top male player [1]. He is widely regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time, and his ability to play the false 9 position has been a key factor in his success. Messi’s coach at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, is credited with resurrecting the false 9 position and tailoring it to Messi’s strengths, which include his dribbling ability and creativity [8]. Messi’s success in the false 9 position has inspired other coaches to experiment with the role, and it has become a popular tactic in modern soccer.

Francesco Totti is another player who has played the false 9 position. Totti, who played for Roma for his entire career, was a good player for Luciano Spalletti’s Roma as a false-9 [2]. He was the benchmark for many tacticians to try and utilize players to improve positional superiority. Totti’s skill as a false 9 helped Roma to achieve success during his time at the club.

Carlos Tevez is also a player who has played the false 9 position. Tevez, who played for Argentina and several clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Juventus, has been described as a “natural false 9” [5]. Tevez’s work rate and ability to drop deep and link up with his teammates made him a valuable asset in the false 9 position, and he was able to contribute both in terms of goals and assists.

To play well in the false 9 position, a player must have certain qualities. These include flair, creativity, dribbling ability, and the ability to create chances against stubborn and compact defensive lines [6]. All three players – Messi, Totti, and Tevez – have demonstrated these qualities, and have had success in the false 9 position as a result.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the False 9 Soccer Position

Advantages of Using the False 9 Soccer Position – 

The False 9 position in soccer is a hybrid position that blends the roles of an attacking midfielder and an out-and-out striker. This position offers several advantages that can benefit a team in a game.

One of the primary advantages of using the False 9 position is confusing the opposing team. Since the False 9 drops deeper into midfield to receive balls, it vacates the space higher up the field. The opposing team’s defenders can find it challenging to mark the man as his position is unclear, and they may end up leaving gaps in the defending line.

Another advantage of using the False 9 position is that it allows the team to create many different passing angles, which helps retain possession and move the team up the pitch. The False 9 can drop deep and receive the ball, creating space to allow the midfield or wide players to run into it.

Players playing in the False 9 role need to have great movement, very good dribbling skills, brilliant vision, and passing skills, as well as a fantastic understanding of what is expected of them in their role. Thus, the False 9 role can only be successful if the player possesses the necessary attributes.

However, it is essential to note that the False 9 position should be part of the whole team’s formation and strategy, and teams that use the False 9 also need to adopt the total football concept for the best results.

the False 9 position can offer several advantages to a team, including confusing the opposition, creating different passing angles, and retaining possession. The position, however, requires players with specific attributes, and teams must adopt the total football concept for the best results.

Disadvantages of Using the False 9 Soccer Position

The false 9 soccer position is a tactic used by some teams to confuse the opposition’s defense by having a striker drop deeper into midfield. However, despite its potential advantages, there are also several disadvantages to using the false 9 position.

One of the main drawbacks of the false 9 position is the sacrifice of a focal point in the attack [1]. Without a traditional center forward, teams may struggle to create a direct attacking threat or to stretch the opposition’s defense with long balls. Additionally, the false 9 may not provide the physical presence required to win aerial duels, hold up the ball, or create space for teammates in the penalty area.

Another disadvantage of the false 9 position is the potential confusion it can cause among attacking players. When the false 9 drops back into midfield, it can be difficult for teammates to know where to make their runs, leading to a lack of cohesion and predictability in the attack. Moreover, the false 9 may struggle to adapt to defensive responsibilities, leaving the team vulnerable to counterattacks if they lose possession in midfield.

while the false 9 position can be an effective tactic, it also has several disadvantages that teams must consider before implementing it in their game plan. These include sacrificing a focal point in the attack, a potential lack of physical presence in the penalty area, confusion among attacking players, and potential defensive vulnerabilities.

False 9 Conclusion

Summary of the False 9 Soccer Position and its Importance – The False 9 position in soccer is a playmaking role that has become increasingly important in the modern game. The False 9 is a hybrid position that includes being a team striker and playmaker. The position can be described as a decoy center forward in a team where the striker is deliberately left out of the formation.

The False 9 has the freedom to drop deep from the forward position into midfield, allowing them to receive the ball deeper in the pitch and creating space to allow the midfield or wide players to run into. This position demands flair, creativity, great movement, very good dribbling skills, brilliant vision, and passing skills, as well as a fantastic understanding of what is expected of them in their role. Without these key attributes, they are unlikely to make a success of the role.

The implementation of the False 9 position has been around since 1920, but it was not until recently that it became a vital part of the game. The False 9 is intended to drag the opposition out of shape and then exploit them. If used against stubborn teams who are willing to take a draw and won’t be dragged out of shape, the tactic is not as effective [8].

Lionel Messi is a famous False 9 player who has successfully played in this position throughout his career. The False 9 position is an attacking role that’s used most often in a 4-3-3 formation with attack-minded wingers. Rather than playing as a conventional, goal-poaching striker, the False 9 looks for pockets of space between the midfield and attack.

The False 9 position has become a crucial part of the modern game, demanding a unique set of skills and tactics from players who play this position. Its use has revolutionized the way soccer is played and provides teams with a potent attacking option that can exploit the opposition’s defensive weakness