How to work on midfield preparation

As the coach works from the back, the cover for the centre backs is paramount. The decision is whether to use two anchormen or central midfielders or one. 

As in defending, the organisation and the number of players needed must be decided but above all, the coach depends on the material he has. It is his philosophy and quality of players he has.

The idea is that the arrangement should shape well in defending first. Once that is sorted, the attacking option is taken into account.

Going forward, also think about how many players you want in the attacking movement. These midfielders behaviour is critical in the transition, or when the ball changes hands (feet).

As a coach deploying a defensive structure, you give yourself an outlet by setting up for a chance to hurt the opponent by sudden speedy attack once the ball is won.

Midfielders then need to move into offensive positions quickly and effectively. The disguise, creativity and improvisation elements distort the team shape in order to destabilise the opponents and take them out of the best defensive positions.

In all this, remember to close down the spaces behind, or channels on the side or corridors in the middle to avoid the opposition breakthrough. Carelessness in this instance will be counter productive and concentration levels must be high.

Always have a very good defensive shape when attacking. All players need to remember at all times, that when attacking, they will have to defend when the ball is lost and that when defending, they will have to attack when the ball is regained.

the midfield shifting is as important as in defence. The wide players must be able to tuck into central areas when the ball is on the opposite wing or channel. This channel is called the strong channel.

intelligent play will detect that there is always have a ready outlet, usually on the weaker channel. In this case, it must be a very quick player who can run with the ball or dribble.

As soon as the ball is won, switching play diagonally across into space will force defenders to play facing their goalkeeper, a nightmare in any game at any level. 

Let me say that many South African coaches prefer two central midfielders, with one more offensive and the other defensive. They alternate their movements forward all the time.

I personally prefer that both stay, and I have three coming back to receive the ball, turn and join the striker to attack. 

UEFA Champions League 2017 final tonight - Ronaldo and no Messi

The UEFA Champions League 2017 final in Cardiff between Real Madrid  and Juventus brings the year's football fixtures to a close in grand style. In tonight football, there is Ronaldo and no Messi.

The analysis of football tonight will centre around different brands of the game the fast defensive Italian football with swift precise counter attacking and the solid systematic attack of the Spanish.

It must be said that Real have a lost a second or so in their speed of attack and became a calculating force of destruction. This is due to the aging of the Ballon' Dor winner who now plays more with head than feet.

Without the brute force of Athletico Madrid, the cunning nature of FC Barcelona, both protagonists ooze confidence as their capability to dish out the two elements is common knowledge.
 
This Champions league brings few things to the fore. Zinedine Zidane, like many Spanish managers fast-tracked into greatness, has people talking of him as a great coach already. Winning this will make his fans happy.

Personally, a great manager is not one who is able to stick when thrust into luxury. That is not bad either, as many managers have failed to develop staying power in those positions. To me, it is a sign that one is not a bad manager, than to confirm as a good manager, and there is a huge difference.

The good thing is that many, like Pep Guardiola, develop in that environment to be good managers due to coaching the best players who earn thew most money, by default of course. The managers coaching the worst squads with minimum budgets and bring them to greatness, usually go back to find another situation of a rescue mission perennially. Back to the match tonight.

A lot of experience comes to the party, with Cristiano Ronaldo making his 136th appearance, the only players with more than 50 with two different clubs (52 with Manchester United and 84 with Real Madrid) and Gianlugi Buffon (39) making it his 104th appearance.

Buffon's case is a sad one. He is one of the two centurions (with Zlatan Ibrahimovic) to have not won it. H e has been there many times and sentimentally, he deserves the winners' medal. However, Ronaldo has to put the Ronaldo or Messi argument to bed.

Already, the Portuguese has honuors with his country and record hat-tricks under his belt. Still, there is an army of doubters of who is the greatest. This is not a blatant support for him, but as a team player, he has no equal. Lionel Messi has incredible individual brilliance.

Without making this a poll of who is better, I leave it in your hands and look to Gareth Bale. Consider that the match is in Cardiff and Gareth Bale, born in a hospital a few minutes away from the stadium, may play only part of the match from the bench. It is never rosy even for the best.

Who is your money on, and why?