Thiago Motta Tactic
Thiago Motta wrote a thesis on football, and you should care because it influences how his team plays.
Also, it influences how your new Football Manager tactic will look like.
The ball is important in Thiago Motta’s philosophy. Since he received as a gift from his father, he made is focal point. For him, the ball became a symbol that needed to be protected by the group – football team.
Losing it, meant a “crime”. Thus, when he arrived at FC Barcelona, his ball philosophy widened. The team’s approach of not losing the ball and using it as a tool to win matches amplified his conviction.
When he arrived in Italy, this philosophy took a different meaning. Both Gianpiero Gasperini at Genoa and Jose Mourinho at Inter wanted to protect the ball, to build-up vertically, but the methods to achieve this were totally different.
At Genoa, Gianpiero Gasparini required a more elaborate vertical play. Thiago Motta, from a regista role, could play the ball directly to the striker – Milito in that case. But Gianpiero Gasperini explained to him that playing a more elaborate set of passes meant that when the ball arrived to Milito, he wouldn’t be the only player with a scoring opportunity.
While at Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho required him to find the ball to the striker more. Thus, playing vertically more direct, on the counter, but skipping the build-up phase and leaving the striker isolated.
In France, his tactical approach was given a new dimension. Not only by Carlo Ancelotti, but by Laurent Blanc as well. The approach of the individual game management to the service of the team, technically and tactically, added to his “protect the ball” style helped him shape his tactical philosophy.
For Thiago Motta, it became very important that the players would be confident in finding the best pass or the best channel to run into.
Positions don’t matter in his philosophy, if the players are confident on the pitch and protect the ball.
This may be one of the reasons Joshua Zirkzee plays so expansive in his Bologna team. Set as a striker, he comes deep to get the ball when needed, aids the passing game, but is available for the final touch as well.
Thiago Motta’s famous 2-7-2 approach makes more sense after you understand his thinking process. He doesn’t read the 2-7-2 formation vertically, but horizontally.
For him, the football pitch is read from left to right or right to left. And by doing so, every player on the pitch has a role in keeping possession of the game. Even the goalkeeper, who becomes a passing option.
The passing game, especially in the defensive third, should be a preparatory phase for a vertical play.
Beating the press through lateral and intricate passes serves as a tool to increase the speed of the attack when in the opposition’s half.
Of course, no team can win games only by keeping the ball. At some point, it is bound to be lost.
Thiago Motta’s out of possession approach was influenced, in his own words, by the2014 Germany team.
The German players, when they lost the ball, positioned themselves at a maximum distance of 5-10 meters from their opponent, ready to press immediately, thus instantly complicating the opposition’s build-up phase.
In other words – gegenpress. But for him, this gegenpress is done by the attacking players, the remaining defenders must be plan B in case the press is overrun. But they are positioned around the halfway line, to support the pressure put on the opposition.
As soon as the ball is won again, either a counterattack is executed, or the ball is recycled until a scoring opportunity is found.
Thus, surrounded by football’s best tactical minds and with a desire of protecting the ball at all costs, Thiago Motta’s philosophy was born.
In the game, of course we will go with a 4-2-3-1. To complement the gegenpress approach.
Or the 2-7-2.
To support the idea of the goalkeeper becoming a passing option, we have a sweeper keeper on attack duty. He is meant to offer a passing option when needed and try to play on the ground, not through long balls. But also, to sweep up loose balls.
In front of him, the 4 defenders are assigned different roles. The right one is meant to come inside when his team is in possession. So, an inverted full back on defend.
One of the central defenders, preferably the one next to the inverted full back is a libero on support. He is required to step into the midfield when in possession.
This is meant to replicate Bologna’s movement when in possession in the own third. The central defender can even reach the halfway or cross it, depending on the game moment and the available space in front of him.
Next to him, a ball playing defender. This player is required to do the same as his teammate, but with a smaller range.
On the left side, we have a full back on support duty. He needs to provide a wide passing option as the build-up progresses.
Compared to the wing back role, the full back chooses the moments when to go forward. Thus, preserving the defensive shape.
In the midfield space we have a defensive midfielder on support and a roaming playmaker. Instead of the roaming playmaker, a central midfielder could work. However, he is mainly focused on vertical movement.
The roaming playmaker provides some lateral movement from time to time.
The defensive midfielder is not required to primarily stop the opposition’s counterattacks. He must be a passing option, driving a bit forward if needed.
On the right and left sides of the attack we have two wingers on support duty. Their priority is to offer passing options in wide positions. But they are required to cut inside when the game allows them to.
This can be done either through telling them to cut inside or have players that have the cuts inside from said flank as a player trait.
A shadow striker and a complete forward on support duty complete the tactic.
The shadow striker role was chosen as Joshua Zirkzee, through his constant movement, constantly release the attacking midfielder into scoring opportunities.
As the complete forward, this player is expected to come deep to get the ball or spearhead attacks, depending on the game moment.
This is why for this role; you must use an experienced player. Capable of reading the game well.
The roles are meant to recreate Bologna’s forward movement and replicate their possession game. It doesn’t always turn out as expected, but it is often confusing for the opposition.
There are other player instructions, listed here.
As mentality, I would suggest positive. I went for attacking as my team is the best in our league, but positive should help emulate Thiago Motta’s approach and help you have a balanced to the game.
In possession, fairly wide. Play out of defence, shorter passing directness and slightly higher passing tempo. Mixed crosses and run at defence.
The team should focus on keeping possession until an attacking opportunity comes up. But Bologna also intensifies the attacks, as a group, if they sense that the opponent is vulnerable. Thus, the run at defence instruction.
In transition, counter-press, counter and distribute the ball quickly to the central defenders, through short kicks.
Out of possession, high line of engagement and a higher defensive line. Press much more often and prevent goalkeeper short distribution.
The pressing game must be there. But if you feel that your team is vulnerable when losing the ball, lower the defensive line to a standard one and lower the pressing intensity.
To be able to emulate Thiago Motta’s approach, you need intelligent players. The movements they have developed for this Bologna team can happen with training. But without solid abilities, the approach might fall short.
I liked using this tactic, but I felt like sometimes we struggled. For this exact reason – the players were not prepared for this approach. At least not all of them.
However, we have won the league by a comfortable margin, scoring 89 goals in the process, in my building a nations save with FC Voluntari, in Romania.
We have also qualified to the Champions League league phase and had our best European result yet.
We put a good fight against Real Sociedad, but their quality was shown in the second leg.
And domestically, we have won the treble…again.
As I said, I liked using this tactic. And it is emulating the real-life approach is a joy to watch.
I strongly advise you to use it, at least once in your save. And keep an eye on Thiago Motta – we might witness the growth of the next best football manager.
