Box midfield: football tactics explained

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What is a box midfield?

A box midfield consists of four players – two deeper pivots and two number 10s – whose combined positioning resembles a box shape.

What are players' in-possession responsibilities in a box midfield?

A box midfield’s main in-possession objectives are to dominate the ball, progress play up the pitch and create chances for the front line. 

The two pivots support ahead of the central defenders. In some cases, one pivot may be an inverted full-back who has moved into midfield when their team is in possession.

More typically, both pivots are first and foremost considered midfielders. They can individually drop into the back line if required, especially to allow a full-back to push forward (below).

The pivots receive off the back line, ideally combining with the two number 10s ahead or using wide runners to progress the play. They must possess high levels of awareness of space, time and pressure, as they will often receive under pressure from behind.

The two 10s will also feel pressure from behind, but slightly higher and between the lines. They aim to break the opposing last line with through balls, narrow crosses or via dribbles and combinations with any central forwards or wide attackers. The 10s are expected to look to receive in behind, attack crosses, take shots and ultimately, score a decent share of their team's goals.

What are players' out-of-possession responsibilities in a box midfield?

Without the ball, the pivots block, cover and screen the central spaces ahead of the defence, stopping passes penetrating through the central defence. They also compete for the first and second phases of direct play, and support counter-pressing in central areas. The pivots must track opposing forward runners; especially those through the centre, but also into the wide areas, helping full-back or wing-back teammates defend the channels.

The number 10s contribute to high pressing, and can work either side of a single central forward. They must be able to jump on to opposing centre-backs and into the wide areas, forcing play either inside or towards the touchline depending on the team's out-of-possession tactics. In a more reserved block, the 10s screen the middle and direct access into central midfield. 

What are good examples of a box midfield in different formations?

Clubs within the Red Bull network have often utilised a narrow shape when attacking, most commonly via a 4-2-2-2 (below). This usually involves the two wide players moving inside ahead of the two central midfielders, or a diamond midfield reorganising into two pivots and two 10s to form the box.

The likes of Red Bull Salzburg are at their most dangerous when counter-attacking from deep, or when counter-pressing and transitioning into attack after high regains. The box midfield within the 4-2-2-2 sees the two narrowed wingers receiving between the lines as 10s. As starting wingers, however, they are often comfortable driving forward or dribbling past opponents, with the central forwards pinning the opposing centre-backs and running beyond.

Tuchel at Chelsea

During his time with Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel used a box midfield in a 3-4-3, selecting two from Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho or N'Golo Kanté as the deeper pivots. All of these players were capable of progressing the ball, feeding the overlapping wing-backs, and covering and protecting central areas (below).

The number 10s Tuchel could pick from – Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, and at times Timo Werner and Kai Havertz – were all fluid enough to rotate with the central forward, run beyond, attack crosses and create chances. Antonio Conte also utilised a 3-4-3 with a box midfield during his time at Chelsea.

Klopp and Guardiola

Both Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have used a box midfield by adding a second pivot from one of the back line. Guardiola has often instructed a full-back to move inside in possession – at Bayern Munich it was Philipp Lahm, and at Manchester City João Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko have performed this role. Klopp has moved Trent Alexander-Arnold inside from right-back (below) into a midfield position, where his passing range can better find forward runners. 

In the second half of the 2022/23 treble-winning season, Guardiola further adapted this idea. He moved John Stones from the back line into midfield (below), alongside Rodri. This allowed number eights Kevin De Bruyne and llkay Gündogan to move higher and attack from the top of a converted box midfield.

What are the benefits of playing with a box midfield?

The box midfield numerically overloads two or three-player central-midfield units, allowing teams to dominate this area of the pitch – and often also the ball. It allows for lots of central combinations, while also providing enough support in the inside channels to create wide attacks. 

Defensively, it guarantees numbers for counter-pressing in central midfield, which in turn provides the chance for quick regains. The box midfield also offers a strong defence against direct play, as the numbers can compete for the first and second phases. Central defenders are also well protected via the box midfield. 

What are the disadvantages of playing with a box midfield?

In a box midfield, the pivots and number 10s are often in the same vertical line in possession. This can help opponents block passing lanes into the 10s. Width can also be lacking, due to the numbers required to form the box midfield.

The opposition can defensively cover the centre with numbers of their own, defending in a compact, relatively small space to restrict progression and limit the creation of chances. 

Players who significantly switch roles between their out-of-possession position and an in-possession box-midfield role – such as inverted full-backs – are extremely specialist and so quite rare. Not surprisingly, few teams have these players readily available – even at the very highest level.

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Author: The Coaches' Voice