Career and Development
De Zerbi has forged an unconventional path as a coach. Starting with smaller clubs in Italy – Foggia, Benevento, Sassuolo – he quietly refined his distinctive style. With Sassuolo, he led them to European competitions.
Then came Brighton. From 2022 to 2024, he guided the English Premier League club to implement one of the league's most attractive playing styles. No massive budget, no world-class players – but a clear, recognizable system.
Subsequently, he took over at Olympique Marseille, one of France's biggest clubs. The next major project followed with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
De Zerbi is not a coach who adapts his philosophy to fit. Instead, he strives to shape every club into a reflection of his innovative ideas.
The Core Idea: Inviting Danger is Not a Weakness
The most crucial principle in De Zerbi's system might initially sound like a mistake: building up deep, enticing the opponent, and letting them press high.
Why? Because an opponent who presses high leaves space behind them. And because an opponent who has been drawn in is forced out of their original organizational structure.
De Zerbi doesn't view pressing as a threat. He sees it as an invitation to play through the first line. The opponent steps forward — and falls right into the trap.
This presupposes that your own players can combine cleanly under pressure. That precise ability is the core of his training philosophy.
The System: 4-2-3-1 Transforms into 2-4-4
On paper, De Zerbi often plays a 4-2-3-1. However, in the build-up phase, the structure looks completely different.
The Build-Up Structure: 2-4-4
| Line | Players | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Build-Up Line | 2 Centre-Backs + Goalkeeper | Create Width, First Passing Option |
| Midfield Box | 2 Full-Backs + 2 Holding Midfielders | “Double Box,” Linking Build-Up to Attack |
| High Line | 4 Attacking Players | Depth, Width, Occupying Opponent's Defenders |
The key: The two centre-backs and the goalkeeper remain deep and wide. The full-backs push into the midfield zone. Together with the two holding midfielders, they form a "Double Box" – four players in a central area that is difficult to press.
The four attacking players position themselves high and wide, drawing the opponent's defense backward.
Result in the Centre: De Zerbi's team often achieves a 6:4 numerical advantage in the central build-up area against the opponent's press. Mathematically, the opponent simply cannot press effectively enough.
The Goalkeeper as the Third Centre-Back
A striking characteristic of De Zerbi's system is the goalkeeper's role.
In a standard 4v2 press, a goalkeeper is often left out. De Zerbi actively integrates them. The keeper doesn't position behind the defensive line but steps up and becomes the third build-up player.
What this means:
- The opponent must decide: press the goalkeeper or not?
- If they press the goalkeeper, spaces open up between the centre-backs.
- If they leave the goalkeeper, De Zerbi's team always has a free deep option.
Foot on the Ball: Goalkeepers under De Zerbi actively hold the ball. They take their time, look up, and make a decision. This sounds risky — but it forces the opponent to actually press and, in doing so, to open up.
3 Core Principles of De Zerbi Football
Principle 1: Entice the Press
Actively build up deep and wait for the opponent to commit. Don't immediately look for the long ball. Get the opponent moving. Only when they have left their compact block is the space behind them exploited.
Principle 2: Execute Cleanly
When the opponent presses, execution must be precise. De Zerbi insists on:
- Clean first touches (ball under control, body correctly oriented)
- Bounce and lay-off passes on the move — no stopping the ball
- No long ball under pressure (the ball goes to the next safe option, not just cleared)
Principle 3: Control the Game
For De Zerbi, control doesn't mean endless ball circulation. It means: holding midfielders stay deep and provide structure. Wingers position high and occupy opponents. The ball reaches the free player — who then has time to make an excellent decision.
The Rondo as the Heart of Training
No component of De Zerbi's training is more important than the Rondo. It's not just a warm-up; it's the core of his tactical education.
De Zerbi utilizes three variations:
Variant 1: 5v2
Classic Rondo in a tight space. Five players against two defenders. Goal: few touches, high passing accuracy under pressure.
Variant 2: 4v2+1 Floater
Four players in possession, two defenders, one floater on the edge. The floater always plays with the team in possession. They are the escape option and train players to find the free man.
Variant 3: 6v2+1 Floater
Larger space. More players mean more variations, but also more individual responsibility. Here, the build-up structure is directly simulated.
What the Rondo Trains
| Goal | How it's Trained |
|---|---|
| Technique under Pressure | Tight space, quick defenders |
| Passing Angles | Observe and coach body orientation |
| Double Pressing | Bibs for pressing players — color contrast shows who is pressing |
| Game Speed | 1-2 touches as a requirement |
Bibs as a tactical signal: The two pressing players wear colored bibs. This instantly shows everyone where the press is coming from — and allows them to position themselves correctly.
What Happens When It Doesn't Work?
De Zerbi's system is not flawless. If execution under pressure isn't precise, turnovers occur in their own half — in dangerous zones.
This is the price of the system. Alonso consciously accepts it because he is convinced: in the long run, the team with superior build-up play wins more often. And short-term mistakes lead to learning effects that cannot be achieved otherwise.
This also explains why it takes time. Teams transitioning to De Zerbi's football need weeks to months for the system to truly settle.
5 Takeaways for Coaches
| # | Takeaway | Specific Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reward Bravery on the Ball | Praise players who combine under pressure – even if it occasionally goes wrong. |
| 2 | Integrate Rondos Systematically | Not just as a warm-up, but as a core training session with a tactical focus. |
| 3 | Encourage Finding the Free Player | Actively guide players to find the escape option before the ball arrives. |
| 4 | Demand Few Touches | A maximum of 2 touches as a requirement, at least in Rondos. |
| 5 | Double Pressing | Always press in pairs – pressing alone doesn't create sufficient pressure. |
FAQ: De Zerbi Tactics
Why does De Zerbi build up so deep?
Deep build-up play lures the opponent forward. When the opponent presses high, they abandon their defensive structure. De Zerbi aims to exploit precisely this moment to combine through the pressing line.
What formation does De Zerbi play?
The basic formation is often a 4-2-3-1, but in the build-up phase, a 2-4-4 structure emerges. Two centre-backs and the goalkeeper remain deep, the full-backs and holding midfielders form a central box, and four attackers position high.
Why does the goalkeeper play such an active role under De Zerbi?
The goalkeeper acts as the third centre-back in the build-up. This forces the opponent to make a decision: press or not? In either scenario, spaces are created that De Zerbi's team can exploit.
What is "Double Pressing" in the De Zerbi system?
Two players always press together. This creates genuine pressure on the ball-carrier. Pressing alone is only effective if the opponent has a poor first touch. Double pressing is more reliable.
How long does it take for a team to play De Zerbi football?
This depends on the players' skill level. Roughly speaking: weeks to months. The system demands technical quality under pressure and excellent spatial awareness. Both must be trained systematically.
Can the De Zerbi system be applied in youth football?
Yes — but in a simplified form. The core principles (bravery on the ball, finding the free player, Rondos) are suitable for every level. The complex build-up structure with an active goalkeeper is better suited for more advanced teams.
What is the difference between De Zerbi and Guardiola?
Both play positional football with high possession percentages. Guardiola places stronger emphasis on space control and staggered positioning. De Zerbi is more direct — he actively seeks to play through the pressing line rather than tiring the opponent with ball circulation.
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