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Diego Simeone Low Block Tactics & Coaching The Key Principles Of Defence In A Low To Mid-Block

Diego Simeone Low Block Tactics & Coaching The Key Principles Of Defence In A Low To Mid-Block

Today, we have a post-match tactical analysis piece on Saturday's derby clash between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid focusing on Diego Simeone's low-block tactics from the game along with a tactical theory on coaching the key principles of defence in a low-to-mid-block.

February 10, 2025

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Today’s TFA Posts ⚽

Real Madrid Vs Atlético Madrid - Simeone Low-Block Tactics 24/25

An important page in the 2024/25 La Liga story has been written, with points shared at the end of the latest Madrid Derby in Los Blancos’ Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

This was the Spanish top-flight’s second Madrid Derby of the season and the second to end with the score tied at 1-1.

The key to Atlético’s leaving the Bernabeu with a point on Saturday lies in their excellent out-of-possession tactics, which frustrated Los Blancos from start to finish.

Fintan O’Reilly analyses Diego Simeone’s successful low-block tactics versus Real Madrid.

Real Madrid Vs Atlético Madrid - Simeone Low-Block Tactics 24/25

How To Coach Low To Mid-Block Defending Tactics With Rondos

When it comes to defending in football, much of the content that has been written about it online usually mentions the same principles or similar versions of the same principles.

These principles are generally centred around the defensive shape of a team needing to be compact near the ball to cover shorter distances when pressing the ball carrier, supporting each other’s pressing actions and covering passing lanes.

Thus, a team looks to control the space around the ball and make it as difficult as possible for the opposition to progress the ball.

What has also been largely written about is how four reference points guide these defensive principles — the ball, the opposition players, the space around the ball and the teammates of an individual player when defending.

These reference points are used to aid players in making coordinated actions and movements to limit space around the ball for the opposition and limit ball progression.

It must be noted that these principles and reference points mentioned are not set in stone.

More can be added, and their importance changes depending on which third a team is defending in, as well as a coach’s philosophy.

What is also important to note is how these principles do not exist in a vacuum and would have to be accompanied by other behaviours and actions from players for a side to improve defensively.

This tactical theory and analysis will present ideas on how these general principles can be trained to be able to defend effectively in a mid to low-block.