INVERTED FULLBACKS IN FOOTBALL
INVERTED FULLBACKS IN FOOTBALL
Who is a fullback ?
A fullback in football is a defensive position primarily responsible for guarding the opposition winger or wide attackers. They are on each side of the pitch. The Right Back is responsible for the right defensive position while the Left Back is responsible for the left defensive position. Fullbacks form part of the team's back four (in case of a defensive four). In the case of a back five,the fullbacks are referred to as wingbacks and partner with the three other centrebacks to protect the backline.
Fullback is the most physically demanding position in football as they are required to shuttle up and down the side of the pitch; contributing to the attack and also returning in time to provide cover on their side of the defence. Fullbacks are required to be fast, have stamina, and be able to defend in 1v1 situations.
Inverted Fullbacks
Inverted fullbacks are a variation of fullbacks in football. The other types of fullbacks are traditional fullbacks and wingbacks.
An inverted fullback is a tactical variation of the traditional fullback role, in which the fullbacks instead of occupying the width, drift infield to create numerical superiority. This numerical superiority can be either is the defence, midfield, or high up the pitch. By tucking inside, they help in providing numerical superiority and also create passing options. Right from the build up, the inverted fullback inverts to help in the build up play and help progress the ball up the pitch. Inverted fullbacks must also be tactically astute and be able to return to their side position when the ball is lost. This is s very demanding but effective tactic.
The most notable manager that employs this principle in his team is Josep Guardiola. He sets his team up in a 4-3-3 on paper. However during build up, one of the fullbacks tuck in to form a back three with the other two centre backs. The other fullback inverts into the midfield to form a double pivot with the defensive midfielder. The other two midfielders who are the creative outlet of the team stay high up and each occupy the left and right half space. The wingers hug the touchline to stretch the opposition defence and the striker occupies the opposition's centre backs. This makes the team to be in a 3-2-5 shape with the ball.
Pep Guardiola has always used this throughout his managerial career in all the teams he has coached. In Barcelona, where he started his senior managerial career, he used inverted fullbacks. Abidal, the left back was responsible for tucking in to form a back three with the centre backs, Pique and Puyol. The right back, Dani Alves tucked in to form a pivot with the defensive midfielder in Sergio Busquets. Sometimes, Dani Alves could also drift into the half space while Xavi formed a pivot with Busquets. Messi and Iniesta occupied the right and left half spaces respectively while Pedro and Villa held the width.
In Bayern Munich, Pep also executed a similar tactics. The left back in David Alaba tucked to form a back three with the centre backs while Philip Lahm inverted to form a double pivot with the defensive midfielder. In Pep's present club, Manchester City, he has maintained same principle. Even with the departure of players, he sticks to his principles and experiments with the players available at his disposal. For instance after the departure of Cancelo and Zinchenko . Pep then pulled a gamble by using Stones who was a centre back in a full back inverted role. It paid off and they won the treble.
It is no surprise that many managers have started using inverted fullbacks in their bid to gain more control of the game. Managers like Mikel Arterta, Xavi Hernandez, Erik Ten Hag, Postecoglu, Thomas Tuchel, Hansi Flick and a lot of other managers use inverted fullbacks, albeit in distinct patterns.
Variations of Inverted Fullbacks
Although inverted fullbacks are required to invert infield, their roles are different which brings about the different variations of the role.
1. Defensive Inverted Fullback
A defensive inverted fullback is a type of fullback that tucks in to form a third center back with the other two centre halves. In other words, he forms a back three alongside the other two centre backs. This starts immediately from the build up phase. Inverted fullbacks are the least technically gifted of the inverted fullback variation. They however make up for this downfall by their good defensive abilities. Examples of inverted defensive fullbacks are: Kyle Walker, Benjamin Pavard, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kieran Trippier (is used in this role in the English National Team), Ferlan Mendy, Jules Kounde, Ben White, etc.
2. Controlling Inverted Fullback
This is perhaps, the most common type of fullback and also the most crucial. This type of fullback is required to form a double pivot with the defensive midfielder. He must be technically gifted and must be able to retain the ball under pressure. This is because they play in the middle of the park. They must also be creative and be able to execute third man concepts well to progress the ball. These fullbacks are the most technically gifted of the variation. No wonder Pep said that "Lahm is the most intelligent player I have ever coached". Examples of controlling inverted fullbacks are: Oleksandr Zinchenko, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Dani Alves, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Recce James, Jeremy Frimpong, etc. It is worthy of note that some fullbacks are both used as controlling and attacking inverted fullbacks.
3. Attacking Inverted Fullback
An attacking inverted fullback is a type of fullback that joins in attack. They occupy the half spaces when the team is in possession in the final third of the opponent. These fullbacks are very creative and most times serve as the creative outlet of the team. They must be however careful not to be caught too high and leave gaps to be exploited by the opposition team. Hence, they must be very pacy. Examples of attacking inverted fullbacks are: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Alphonso Davies, Achraf Hakimi, João Cancelo, Pervis Estupinian, etc.
The use of inverted fullbacks is seen as a strategic decisions by coaches and managers to add a different dimension to a team's build up and attacking options. It creates overloads in certain areas of the pitch, create passing options in congested midfield zones and also help in disrupting opposition defensive line or shape. This role however, requires extremely gifted players that are capable of fulfilling attacking and defensive roles efficiently.
Written by: Somtochukwu Emmanuel Okpara
July, 2025
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