Karim Benzema has demonstrated the attributes of a false nine at times throughout his career at Real Madrid, but particularly so under Zinedine Zidane. From here, the likes of Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta – for both club and country – faced less pressure when they received and could dominate the ball through the middle third of the pitch. This gave his team more control during their build-up, as the opposition midfielders often dropped to cover Fàbregas’ positioning and block passes into him. Given how comfortable he was in central midfield, he also helped create significant overloads in the centre of the pitch. Fàbregas was predominantly used there for his ability to receive under pressure and find a pass. These wingers started incredibly wide, before running into the space vacated by the pressing centre-back.Ĭesc Fàbregas was also used as a false nine with Barcelona under Tata Martino, and also in the Spain team that won Euro 2012 under Vicente del Bosque (above). Alternatively, if he was followed by one of the centre-backs, he was able to dribble away from pressure and look for the wingers – often inside forwards playing on their ‘wrong’ flank – via through balls. Messi is exceptional at receiving on the half-turn if he created himself even half a yard of space by dropping, he could then drive directly at the centre-backs. Lionel Messi was famously used as a false nine under Guardiola, predominantly due to his ability to receive between the lines, turn and penetrate with his immense dribbling. This means screening passes into the pivots or aggressively pressing the centre-backs. When defending for prolonged spells, the false nine often takes up a position as the highest central player. Their main defensive responsibility often comes via counter-pressing, adding another number in central-midfield areas to help force play out wide or create a numerical overload to win the ball back.
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Out of possession, they often perform the duties of a regular striker. What are the out-of-possession responsibilities of a false nine?Ī false nine only really differs from an orthodox centre-forward when their team is in possession. Given a false nine will often have to catch play up again after coming deep to link, they also have to be adept at making quick, late runs into the penalty area before finishing first time. That said, finishing – often under significant defensive pressure from a variety of angles – is still an important part of the role. It is also important for a false nine to be versatile, and possess on-the-ball skills such as quick turning, dribbling and playing through balls. This then helps them move into space to link with teammates. In this way, they know where to take their first touch to avoid any incoming pressure, especially from behind. If the false nine gets their timing right, they can cause havoc.Ī top-level false nine needs exceptional awareness and the ability to scan regularly. This movement into deeper positions can give the opposition’s centre-backs a dilemma as to whether to follow the forward into midfield or leave them and stay in their slot. One of the most important responsibilities for a false nine is timing movements away from the centre-backs to receive between the lines, both during sustained periods of possession and as a link to the forwards during counter-attacks. What are the in-possession responsibilities of a false nine? The first example of the false nine in a modern-day formation is Johan Cruyff using Michael Laudrup in the role at Barcelona – in a team that included Pep Guardiola, who later used Lionel Messi in the role (below). The idea is that the striker might have a number nine on their back but move into 'false' positions – that is, areas in which you would not usually find a number nine.
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'False nine' is a term that has only been used in more modern times, however. Later, Nándor Hidegkuti and Péter Palotás were used in the same way for the renowned Hungary team of the 1950s. In the 1930s, Matthias Sindelar was used as a dropping centre-forward in the Austrian national side. This was a shift from staying as high as possible, as was customary for the striker.įurther examples include at 1920s River Plate, whose centre-forward acted as what at the time was described as a “conductor” in a five-man front line. Then, centre-forward GO Smith preferred to supply the wingers with through balls and create for others. It is thought that the false nine was first used by Corinthians in the late 1890s. Where does the term false nine originate from? The main intention is to get on the ball away from the opposition centre-backs – and, in doing so, to draw players out of position and disrupt the defence.
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A false nine is a centre-forward who repeatedly moves towards the ball in deeper positions from a high starting position, often dropping to receive centrally.