When the Wingers switch flanks, i.e. a left-footer on the right and vice versa:
Good
1) Central Penetration
Pretty self explanatory... having more driblling in the central of the midfield allows greater movement into the box... provided the wingers can duo role as playmakers.
2) More accurate and powerful long shots
More opportunity to shoot with the stronger foot when taking long-ranged shots; hence shots are more powerful and accurate.
3) Confusion from defenders
Defenders would have a hard time deciphering who they are actually marking... esp in the case when 2 wingers cluster to one side, like how Ronaldo used to free role in Man Utd team.
Bad
1) Clustering of midfield
Too much dribbling in the middle clogs the midfielders together. Unless the central defence is weak, there would be great pressure for the midfield to push the ball to the forwards.
2) Easy defending from opponents
Concentration in the middle allow opponents to clog the central midfield and defence to blockade any offense.
3) Lack of width
The wingers...esp those that are only strong on one foot... would have great difficulty crossing the football with first touches. They would have to switch the ball to the stronger foot and lose their quickness in the process. When that happens, they are "easy" to anticipate and defend
4) Lack of crossing
Again, switching the ball to the stronger foot slowers the pace of the offense; thus, loses the opportunity(s) to put in quick crosses for the forwards.
At the end of the day, the bads could be minimised when the players are used to playing on the "wrong" side. Robert Pires, Podolski, Giggs, Ronaldo, etc. are some of these players that can do it because they at least have a decently strong other foot. Otherwise, switching flanks, especially during the game is a BIG gamble.
Good
1) Central Penetration
Pretty self explanatory... having more driblling in the central of the midfield allows greater movement into the box... provided the wingers can duo role as playmakers.
2) More accurate and powerful long shots
More opportunity to shoot with the stronger foot when taking long-ranged shots; hence shots are more powerful and accurate.
3) Confusion from defenders
Defenders would have a hard time deciphering who they are actually marking... esp in the case when 2 wingers cluster to one side, like how Ronaldo used to free role in Man Utd team.
Bad
1) Clustering of midfield
Too much dribbling in the middle clogs the midfielders together. Unless the central defence is weak, there would be great pressure for the midfield to push the ball to the forwards.
2) Easy defending from opponents
Concentration in the middle allow opponents to clog the central midfield and defence to blockade any offense.
3) Lack of width
The wingers...esp those that are only strong on one foot... would have great difficulty crossing the football with first touches. They would have to switch the ball to the stronger foot and lose their quickness in the process. When that happens, they are "easy" to anticipate and defend
4) Lack of crossing
Again, switching the ball to the stronger foot slowers the pace of the offense; thus, loses the opportunity(s) to put in quick crosses for the forwards.
At the end of the day, the bads could be minimised when the players are used to playing on the "wrong" side. Robert Pires, Podolski, Giggs, Ronaldo, etc. are some of these players that can do it because they at least have a decently strong other foot. Otherwise, switching flanks, especially during the game is a BIG gamble.
Del Bosque and the Spaniads did that; so did Maradona and the Argentinians... and both of them lost the game. Reason is simple, how many goals do we see from long range ? Seldom or even hardly... so compromising so many aspects of the game just to go central is not really the way to go... especially when every team needs more teamwork as she is made up of players playing in different countries and leagues.
Therefore I conclude,
SWITCHING FLANKS = LOSE THE GAME
Well... my 2 cents worth... hahaha
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