The Football Analyst Brian Priske’s tactical approach at Feyenoord showcases a blend of structure and creativity, reflecting his modern football philosophy. Priske emphasizes dynamic play, intelligent pressing, and fluid transitions, creating a team capable of adapting to various challenges on the pitch. This analysis dives into the key elements of his tactical setup, exploring how he organizes his team both defensively and offensively to achieve success.
Build-up
Feyenoord under Brian Priske often alternates between a 1-4-3-3 and a 1-3-2-2-3 formation during the build-up phase, depending on the opponent’s pressing structure.
1-4-3-3
In the most recent games, Priske has set his team up in a 1-4-3-3 formation, with a back four, one number-six, two number-eights, and a front three.
Building up in a 1-4-3-3 formation focuses on creating a solid foundation at the back while maintaining fluidity and options in the midfield. The formation begins with four defenders, who provide width and stability, allowing for controlled possession from deep areas. The single defensive midfielder connects the defense to the midfield, dictating the tempo and distributing the ball to the two more advanced central midfielders. These midfielders position themselves to exploit spaces between the opposition’s lines, creating passing triangles that facilitate smooth progression up the pitch. The three forwards, with the central striker as the focal point, are always ready to receive the ball, either through direct passes or by making runs behind the defense.
In this attacking system, the fullbacks usually tuck inside into central midfield areas instead of staying wide and hugging the touchline.
This allows them to contribute to the build-up, create numerical superiority in the middle, and help Feyenoord control the tempo.
1-3-2-2-3
Feyenoord have also used the 1-3-2-2-3 formation in the build-up.
Building up in a 1-3-2-2-3 formation focuses on creating numerical superiority in the midfield while maintaining width through the winger. The three center-backs provide a solid defensive base, with the two wide center-backs stretching the opposition’s press, creating space for the wingers to push up and occupy the flanks. In midfield, the double pivot provides passing options and ensures control in the center, while the attacking midfielders stay high and centrally, ready to exploit any gaps in the opposition’s defense.
Numerical Advantages in the Middle
Regardless of the structure, Feyenoord will have many players in the center. Priske usually has a winger wide on each side and positions the remaining eight players in the middle.
Having only the two wingers out wide and the rest in the middle creates more options in the center and less space between the players. Priske likes this because he prioritizes playing through the middle. He needs one player out wide to pull the opposition apart while the rest create numerical advantages in the midfield areas.
When a team outnumbers the opposition in the midfield, it can more easily retain the ball, exploit spaces, and progress the ball through the center. Feyenoord will often progress the ball through quick central passes between the midfielders, beating the opposition’s press and exploiting gaps in the defense.
Another purpose for keeping many players in the middle is to shorten the distance between them. This shortens the length of the passes, which naturally shortens the time between passes. This means the opposition players will have less time to push up and press, giving the Feyenoord players more time and control.
Rest-Defence
Prikse also wants many players close to the center to create a good rest-defence structure. Rest-defence in football refers to a team’s defensive organization and structure when they have possession of the ball, specifically aimed at being prepared to defend immediately if they lose it. A good rest-defence structure is crucial for maintaining balance and preventing counterattacks when the team is in possession.
Having many players in the middle and close to the ball gives Feyenoord a good rest-defence, since it allows more players to counterpress when they lose the ball. When losing possession, the four or five Feyenoord players closest will immediately jump on the opposition player with the ball and close the distance to cut off any passing lanes. This approach disrupts the opponent’s transition from defense to attack, forcing errors and creating opportunities to regain control of the ball.
Counterpressing like this keeps Priske’s team on the front foot, allowing them to dominate possession and create more scoring opportunities. However, it requires exceptional fitness, tactical discipline, and teamwork.
Using the Goalkeeper
Brian Priske likes using the goalkeeper in the build-up. The Feyenoord goalkeeper will often push up between the center-backs, giving Priske’s team an extra man in the build-up phase.
Using the goalkeeper in the build-up phase offers numerous tactical advantages. By involving the goalkeeper, Feyenoord can create numerical superiority at the back, making it easier to evade the opponent’s press and maintain possession. This additional player allows for more passing options, reducing the risk of losing possession and enabling smoother transitions from defense to attack. The goalkeeper can also act as a pivot, switching play across the field to exploit weak points in the opposition’s formation. Furthermore, involving the goalkeeper helps in drawing the opposition forward, creating space higher up the pitch for attackers to exploit.
High Backline
A massive aspect of Priske’s high build-up is to have the defenders high up and close to the center. This helps in the counterpress because they get closer to the midfield. Having more players close to the center who can win the ball back makes it difficult for the opposition to do anything when they win possession. Furthermore, the high backline shortens the distance between players, shortening the time and length of the passes and preventing the opposition from pushing up their defense.
Finding the Pockets
Priske’s players always try to find the attacking midfielders in the pockets. These “pockets” refer to the spaces between the opposition’s defensive and midfield lines, where the attacking midfielders can receive the ball in more advanced positions.
By positioning themselves intelligently in these pockets, the attacking midfielders can turn quickly and face the opposition’s goal, creating opportunities for through balls, driving runs, or direct shots. This positioning forces the opposition to make difficult decisions. If an opposition defender steps up and closes down the attacking midfielder, he potentially leaves space behind. However, if he stays back, he allows the attacking midfielder time on the ball. The Feyenoord defenders and holding midfielders will often look for straight or diagonal passes, breaking the opposition lines and finding the attacking midfielders who can turn and drive at the defense.
Feyenoord will also use third-man combinations involving the striker to find players in these spaces. A defender or holding midfielder can play a straight pass to the striker, who can find an attacking midfielder in the pocket with a simple one-touch pass.
Finding these pockets is crucial for maintaining fluidity in attack and ensuring that the team can progress the ball effectively through the middle of the pitch.
Dropping Outside
When the opposition defends very compactly and does not allow the attacking midfielders to be found in the pockets, Feyenoord’s attacking midfielders can drop outside to receive the ball there instead. They will wait for the opposition’s wide midfielders to come into the middle and drop out into the space outside of them.
The opposition center-backs and central midfielders rarely follow these runs, not wanting to open the space in the center. Additionally, the winger, who is positioned high and wide, will be pinning the opposition fullback, not allowing him to jump on the dropping attacking midfielder. This means that the attacking midfielder can receive the ball, turn, and progress the ball unopposed.
Numerical Advantages Against the Opposition’s Defense
Another massive aspect of Feyenoord’s high build-up is their ability to create numerical advantages against the opposition’s defensive line. Regardless of the formation, the attacking midfielders often push up higher to join the forward line. This gives Feyenoord a front five. Playing with a front five means the forward line naturally becomes numerically superior against a back four, which Priske’s players are great at taking advantage of.
Priske’s players mainly exploit this overload by creating 2v1 situations against the opposition fullback. These 2v1 situations will usually be found when Feyenoord use quick switches of play. When the ball is on one side, the weak-side fullback becomes vulnerable to the switch of play due to the 1v2 against Feyenoord’s winger and attacking midfielder.
The attacking midfielder will often make a run in behind, which the defending opposition fullback will follow. This opens the space out wide for Feyenoord’s winger to be found with a long ball.
Priske’s team often uses this to get the ball to the winger out wide, who can attack the opposition fullback and create 2v1 situations against him with Feyenoord’s attacking midfielder.
Feyenoord will also exploit this numerical advantage against the opposition backline by using counter-movements between the winger and attacking midfielder. When a wide center-back or fullback(depending on the formation) has the ball, the attacking midfielder can make a run in behind while the winger drops. This creates a question for the opposition fullback. If he pushes up on the winger, the space behind him opens up, allowing the Feyenoord center-back to play a through-ball to the running attacking midfielder. However, if he stays inside to cover the run, the ball can be played to the winger, who can turn and attack the defense.
Many Players in the Box
Brian Priske consistently emphasizes getting multiple players into the box, creating a chaotic environment for the opposition defenders, and increasing their chances of scoring. The attackers and midfielders look to make aggressive runs into the box when the ball is in the final third, often getting four or five players into these areas to create overloads.
The numerical advantages in the box increase the chances of connecting with the cross, as more players present multiple targets for the crosser, making it harder for defenders to mark everyone effectively. Additionally, having multiple players in the box provides options for different types of finishes, whether it’s a header, volley, or a quick tap-in. It also allows for better positioning to react to second balls or rebounds, increasing the likelihood of capitalizing on any defensive errors.
In Feyenoord’s attacking system, the wingers score many goals from crosses at the back post. The opposition fullback will often be preoccupied with a Feyenoord attacker, which leaves massive space at the back post for the winger to attack. The winger can be found directly or indirectly if no one else connects with the cross.
Priske also positions many players outside the box, ready for the second balls and cut-backs. Feyenoord will create many crossing opportunities, which pushes down the opposition’s defense and opens the space in front of the opposition’s backline. The holding midfielders can collect any loose balls or be found directly in these spaces with cut-backs, and from there, they can shoot or combine with an attacker to create goalscoring opportunities.
Counterattacks
Feyenoord’s counterattacks are a key element of their tactical approach under Brian Priske. The team is highly organized defensively, setting up with a compact, disciplined shape that allows them to quickly transition from defense to attack. Once they win the ball back, the Feyenoord players waste no time moving it forward with precision and urgency.
Midfielders play quick, vertical passes to exploit the spaces left by an advancing opposition, often aiming for wide players or strikers who position themselves to break into the attacking third.
Additionally, the Feyenoord players are great at finding open spaces in the counterattacks. Instead of playing the ball straight forward where opposition defenders may still be positioned, they play a diagonal pass, allowing the team to bypass pressure and shift the play into open areas. From these areas, the Feyenoord attackers can take the ball forward and quickly get past the opposition to create a goalscoring opportunity.
Defending
Feyenoord’s base formation when defending is the 1-4-4-2 formation. They look to set up in a mid-block, always trying to close the center and force the opposition out wide.
Defending in the 1-4-4-2 formation is all about balance, compactness, and discipline. The team defends in two compact lines of four, with the forwards positioned ahead of the midfield. The two forwards play a crucial role, not only as the first line of defense but also in initiating the team’s pressing strategy. Priske wants his team to stay compact without dropping too low, always closing the spaces between the lines.
Work Rate
Feyenoord’s work rate when defending is exceptional, defined by relentless energy and discipline. Under Brian Priske, the team is organized and compact, with every player contributing to defensive duties. The midfield and forward lines press with intensity, closing down spaces and forcing opponents into uncomfortable positions. The Feyenoord backline remains focused, consistently tracking runs and maintaining their shape. When a defender breaks out of shape to put pressure on an opposition player, a Feyenoord midfielder will always drop into the backline to cover for his teammate. This compactness ensures that the team stays solid defensively, making it harder for the opposition to break through with wide or central attacks.
Aggressiveness
Feyenoord’s defensive strategy under Brian Priske is characterized by an aggressive approach both high up the pitch and lower down the pitch. The players apply immediate pressure even when retreating into a deeper defensive stance while maintaining a compact shape, closing passing lanes, and forcing opponents to play wide or make risky passes.
This aggressive approach enables Feyenoord to squeeze the pitch when defending. This means constantly pushing the team up as much as possible. Every time the opponent plays a slow, sideways pass or a back pass, Feyenoord’s first line of pressure pushes up, with the rest of the team following to stay compact. When the next pass comes, they push up even more, forcing the opponent back even more.
This approach keeps opponents under constant pressure, making it difficult for them to build rhythm or find space between the lines. It also pushes the opponent further away from the Feyenoord goal, making it harder to create chances.
High Press
Brian Priske also implements a high-pressing system designed to disrupt the opposition’s build-up and force turnovers in dangerous areas. Their pressing structure will depend on the opposition, but they usually press in an aggressive man-to-man system. Each player is assigned a direct opponent to mark tightly, ensuring no easy passing options are available.
This intense pressure forces the opposing team into hurried decisions, often resulting in turnovers in dangerous areas. Feyenoord almost use this high press as an attacking threat, scoring many goals from winning the ball high up the pitch.
In a man-to-man system, it becomes crucial that the players know when to mark the opponent they are responsible for and when not to. If an opponent, for example, is very far from the ball, the Feyenoord player marking him does not need to be as close to him. He can instead come in and help create numerical superiorities in the center, decreasing the risk of dangerous 1v1 situations.
The Feyenoord players will always have an opposition player they are responsible for. However, they will never be closer to them than they need to be. A rule of thumb for the players could be that the closer you are to the ball, the closer you need to be to your opponent. The further away you are from the ball, the further away you can be from your opponent.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Brian Priske’s tactical approach at Feyenoord highlights his ability to blend structure and adaptability, creating a team capable of excelling in various phases of the game. From his well-organized build-up strategies to his dynamic attacking principles, Priske has introduced a system that leverages individual talents while maintaining collective harmony.
Defensively, his focus on compactness and efficient transitions underscores his modern understanding of the game. Feyenoord’s evolution under Priske showcases a manager who is not only tactically astute but also committed to instilling a clear identity in his squad. As the season progresses, Priske’s tactical philosophy promises to make Feyenoord a formidable force, combining style with effectiveness on the pitch.
