The Role of Flank Defenders in the Modern Game

The evolution of the game of soccer has taken a turn for the defensive in the last few decades. Gone are the days of four forwards and total football. With the exception of a few modern professional teams (see Barcelona, Manchester United), the majority of teams have forgone a flowing, creative attack, preferring to employ a highly organized and structured defensive formation. With this change in strategy has come a change in the role of the outside defender.



Formerly, teams used wide forwards or wingers to offer width to their attack. However, committing at least three forwards meant that the team lost the ball, those three players offered little on defense. This resulted in high scoring games with little regard for defense. As the risk of losing games increased, teams like the 1960s Brazil and England opted to play with more defenders, decreasing the possibility of conceding goals. However, more players back meant fewer players forward and therefore fewer attacking opportunities.

With this change came the evolution of the wingback. The wingback was characterized in the 1990s by Brazilians Cafu and Roberto Carlos and Italian Paulo Maldini. These players often had high levels of fitness, as well as good ball control and crossing ability. They made deep runs out of the back, surprising opponents and creating numbers up situations through a quick counterattack after winning the ball in their own half. Games were often won by the team with the better attacking defenders.

A team that is successful in using their defenders to attack will often employ certain strategies. Strong central defenders are required as the void left by a marauding fullback can be exploited by tactically smart opposition. Furthermore, defensive midfielders are often called upon to provide balance to the team's shape during those runs. Outside midfielders must be able to hold the ball, either individually or by passing with teammates. They must also know when to move to create space for the fullback and when to drop to cover defensively. Forwards must be strong in the air to meet crosses coming from fullbacks.

The evolution of outside defenders has continued, featuring a mix of modern attacking fullbacks and stay at home defenders. As the position has grown more and more important, it has become more common to see forwards or midfielders with a wide array of attacking skills be converted into defenders to utilize their potential going forward. Although they can at times be a defensive liability, they can help a team maintain possession and generate scoring opportunities. The role of flank defenders in the modern game is truly a crucial aspect of soccer.

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