- Total Football Analysis
- Posts
- A Guide To Back-Three Defence Tactics & Nathan De Cat Scout Report 2024/2025
A Guide To Back-Three Defence Tactics & Nathan De Cat Scout Report 2024/2025
Today, we have a tactical theory article focusing on variation between different forms of back-three defence tactics along with a player analysis article on Anderlecht's budding Busquets-esque midfielder, Nathan De Cat.
In partnership with
The Home Of Tactical Analysis
In Partnership With 🤝
Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
New TFA Podcast Episodes 🎤
If you previously subscribed to the TFA podcast, you may have noticed it's back!
We have a new format where we cover a recent TFA article in short 15-30 minute episodes.
It’s a 100% free podcast, great for TFA readers who don’t have time to read every article.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other players via RSS.
Today’s TFA Posts ⚽
Nathan De Cat, a promising young Belgian defensive midfielder for RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League, has begun to turn heads with his exceptional talent and unique physical profile.
This detailed Nathan De Cat scouting report will analyse his strengths, weaknesses, and long-term potential as he progresses through Anderlecht’s renowned youth system and moves closer to the first team.
In this scout report and tactical analysis, we will explore what sets Nathan De Cat apart for Anderlecht’s youth setup and why he’s emerging as one of Belgium’s most extraordinary future exports.
Inter Milan‘s run to the 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League final is likely to spark discussion around back-three formations.
The hype around the back-three isn’t new, but this season, many of the teams using it are showing that they deserve the spotlight, particularly in the way they defend and play out of possession.
The original idea behind the back-three formation, which can later be translated into a five-man back when the team is out of possession, is to have more players in your own half than the opposition, making the defensive situation safer.
Interestingly, even though they are using a similar formation, teams defending with a back-three can defend completely differently.
With this formation, one can press high, one can use a mid-block trap, and another can defend deep.
That’s why it’s interesting to see how the team with the back-three defends—to show the variation that can be applied to this type of formation and the benefits it can bring to the clubs that use it.
Apart from Inter, teams like Crystal Palace, Celta Vigo, St. Pauli, Werder Bremen and Mainz 05 are using a three-back formation, and they have achieved great things in their own context this season.
Our tactical theory article shares a tactical analysis of this pattern.
TFA Archives 📆
Lamine Yamal has taken world football by storm and played a key role in Barcelona’s La Liga title win.
Revisit our scout report on the youngster after the Euros—could he be a Ballon d'Or contender already?
Raphinha has had a standout season with over 60 goal contributions and is now a Ballon d'Or contender.
Revisit our scout report on him as he celebrates his first La Liga title with Barcelona after they won yesterday.
Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final back in April and yesterday secured another La Liga title.
We broke down 3 key tactics behind their win in that final, now revisit how they dismantled Madrid after officially winning the league yesterday.
