A false 9 is a soccer formation and playing style in which a centre forward, who is usually the team’s main goal scorer, drops deep into midfield.
This can create confusion among opposing defenders, as they may not be sure whether to follow the center forward or stay with their assigned marking duties.
The false 9 position was made famous by soccer great Lionel Messi, who often played in this role for both his club team, Barcelona, and the Argentine national team.
False nine can be a highly effective attacking strategy, as it allows for greater creativity and flexibility in the attacking third of the field. However, it also requires a high level of tactical discipline and coordination among the team’s attacking players
What are the Responsibilities of a False 9 in Soccer?
The responsibilities of a false 9 in soccer will depend on the specific tactics and formations employed by a team. First, he is required to drop deep into midfield to create numerical superiority and overload the opposing team’s midfielders.
A false 9 is also responsible for drawing opposing defenders out of position and creating space for other attacking players to exploit. He is required to link up with the team’s midfielders and wingers to facilitate attacking buildup play.
Furthermore, a false nine scores goals, either by making runs into the penalty area or by taking shots from a distance. In addition to that, he should also provide defensive cover when the team is not in possession.
To do so, the player is required to either drop back into a deeper position or press the opposing players in their half. A false acts as a playmaker and distributes the ball to teammates in dangerous positions.
What Makes a Good False 9 in Soccer?
There are several qualities that can make a player to be well-suited for the false 9 positions in soccer:
1. Technical ability: A false 9 should have excellent ball control, passing, and shooting skills, as they will be responsible for creating chances for their team and scoring goals.
2. Vision and creativity: The false 9 should have the ability to see and exploit openings in the opposing team’s defense, and should be able to come up with clever and unexpected solutions in the final third of the field.
3. Tactical awareness: The false 9 must be able to understand and execute their team’s tactical plan, and should be able to read the game and anticipate the movements of their teammates and opponents.
4. Physical fitness: The false 9 will be required to cover a lot of ground during a match, both offensively and defensively, so they should be in good physical condition.
5. Teamwork and leadership: As the false 9 is often a key attacking player, they should be able to work well with their teammates and should have the ability to inspire and lead others on the field.
6. Mental toughness: The false 9 roles can be demanding, both mentally and physically, so a player in this position should have a strong mental fortitude and be able to handle the pressure of playing in a key role.
Is a False 9 a Striker?
A false 9 is not a traditional striker in the sense that they do not play in the same position as a traditional center forward.
The truth is, a traditional striker is generally expected to play as a target man, staying in and around the opposition’s penalty area and looking to score goals from crosses, through balls, and rebounds.
In contrast, a false 9 often drops deep into midfield, sometimes even deeper than the team’s midfielders. This can create confusion among opposing defenders, who may not be sure whether to follow the false 9 or stay with their assigned marking duties.
The false 9 will still be expected to score goals, but they may do so by making runs into the penalty area or by taking shots from a distance rather than relying on crosses and passes played into the box.
So while a false 9 may be responsible for scoring goals, they do not play the same role as a traditional striker. Instead, they are a hybrid player who combines the attributes of a center forward with those of a midfield playmaker.
Famous False 9 Soccer Players:
There have been a number of famous soccer players who have excelled in the false 9 position over the years. Some notable examples include:
1. Lionel Messi: Perhaps the most famous false 9 of all time, Messi played in this role for both Barcelona and the Argentine national team.
His exceptional dribbling skills, close ball control, and creative passing ability made him a unique and highly effective false 9. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
2. Roberto Firmino: He is a key member of the Liverpool team that won the EPL and the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and 2020.
Firmino is a versatile and hard-working forward who excels in the false 9 role. His movement, pressing, and ability to link up with teammates make him a vital part of Liverpool’s attacking play.
3. Sergio Aguero: One of the most prolific goalscorers in English Premier League history, Aguero has also played as a false 9 for both Manchester City and the Argentine national team.
His pace, movement, and finishing ability make him a dangerous threat in this role, even if he is not a traditional center forward.
4. Harry Kane: A prolific goalscorer for Tottenham Hotspur and the English national team, Kane has also played as a false 9 on occasion.
His ability to score goals from a variety of different positions makes him a valuable asset in this role, even if he is not a natural playmaker.
5. Robert Lewandowski: A dominant center forward for Bayern Munich and the Polish national team, Lewandowski has also played as a false 9 on occasion.
His clinical finishing and ability to hold up the ball make him a valuable asset in this role, even if he is not a traditional playmaker.
What are the Pros and Cons of Using the False 9 in Soccer?
False 9 is a tactical concept in soccer that has both advantages and disadvantages. Some of the pros and cons of using the false 9 include:
Pros:
1. Creates confusion among opposing defenders: The false 9’s movement into midfield can draw defenders out of position and create space for other attacking players to exploit.
2. Allows for greater creativity and flexibility in the attacking third of the field: The false 9’s deep starting position allows them to link up with midfielders and wingers and facilitate attacking buildup play.
3. Offers a different attacking threat: The false 9’s movement and ability to score goals from deeper positions can make it difficult for opposing teams to defend against.
4. Can provide numerical superiority in midfield: The false 9’s deep starting position can create an overload in midfield, allowing the team to dominate possession and control the game.
Cons:
1. Can leave a team vulnerable to counterattacks: The false 9’s deep starting position may leave them too far from the defense in the case of a turnover, making the team vulnerable to counterattacks.
2. Requires a high level of tactical discipline and coordination: The false 9’s movement and the team’s attacking shape must be carefully planned and executed in order for the tactic to be effective.
3. May not be suitable for teams that rely on crosses and long balls: The false 9’s deep starting position may make it difficult for them to get on the end of crosses and long balls, which can be an important attacking weapon for some teams.
4, May not be suitable for teams that rely on a traditional center forward to lead the line: The false 9’s deep starting position may not suit a player who is more comfortable playing as a traditional center forward.
EndNote: What is a False 9 in Soccer?
A false 9 is a soccer formation and playing style in which a center forward, who is usually the team’s main goal scorer, drops deep into midfield.
This can create confusion among opposing defenders, as they may not be sure whether to follow the center forward or stay with their assigned marking duties.
The false 9 position was made famous by soccer great Lionel Messi, who often played in this role for both his club team, Barcelona, and the Argentine national team.
False 9 can be a highly effective attacking strategy, as it allows for greater creativity and flexibility in the attacking third of the field.
However, it also requires a high level of tactical discipline and coordination among the team’s attacking players. The false 9 position requires a versatile player with excellent technical ability, tactical awareness, and physical fitness.
It is a role that demands a high level of mental toughness and leadership, as the false 9 is often a key attacking player for their team.
While the false 9 position has its pros and cons, it has been used to great success by a number of top teams and players.
It remains a somewhat controversial and divisive tactical concept, and its effectiveness will depend on the specific team and the players available to execute the role.
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1. Why Do Soccer Players Wear Numbers on Jerseys?
2. What is a Goalkeeper in Soccer? (Their Roles Explained)
3. What is Offside in Soccer And How Does it Work?
