SUMMARY
- Modern soccer has many tactical innovations, like Neuer's sweeper-keeping and Firmino's false nine role.
- Talking specifically about the False 9 role, it was first played by Austrian soccer player Matthias Sindelar in the 1930s.
Modern-day soccer has seen numerous tactical innovations. From Manuel Neuer’s sweeper-keeping abilities to Roberto Firmino’s role as a false nine, managers have adapted to these strategies to bring a tactical phenomenon into their game.
Talking specifically about the False 9 role, it was first played by Austrian soccer player Matthias Sindelar in the 1930s. However, it was later mastered by many greats in the world of soccer. It can be coined as the idea of a player wearing the traditional number 9 jersey but operating in a more withdrawn, playmaking role.
A false 9 is a striker who operates from a deeper position by dropping back from the original position of a center-forward. It is done to get possession of the ball before the opposition center-backs. It eventually allows the opposition defenders to press higher than their actual line of defense and eventually disrupt the defensive line.
The role provides more fluidity in the playmaking process, and midfielders can easily free-roam to create more chances. Few have mastered the art of playing as a false nine throughout their entire career. Here are the names of some.
Some of soccer’s best false 9’s
Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti can be regarded as the figure who reintroduced the formula of a false 9 in the 21st century. It takes us back to the days when Spaletti was the manager of AS Roma. Back in 2006, constant injuries throughout the season forced Spaletti to make some adjustments to his style of play.
Totti’s birthday is the perfect time to remember his 2006-07 Golden Boot winning season.
Playing as a False Nine in Spalletti’s Roma:
50 Matches
32 Goals ⚽️
15 Assists 🎯
Serie A Top Scorer🥇Iconic. pic.twitter.com/iMXfhzcQsV
— Uncle $harma 🎙️ (@RSharmzz) September 28, 2021
He then came up with a 4-1-4-1 formation, putting AS Roma legend Francesco Totti as the solo frontman. At a time when 4-4-2 used to rule the soccer stage, Spaletti’s brain came up with a masterstroke as Totti found the ability to create as well as score for his side. Totti enjoyed one of his best-ever scoring seasons that year, scoring a total of 32 goals with 15 assists.
Next comes Robin Van Persie. The flying Dutchman, mainly known for scoring sublime volleys while playing as a striker, was given a false nine by Arsene Wenger in the 2009/10 season. Replacing Nicklas Bendtner in the starting XI, Van Persie made sure he was the right man for Wenger’s job.
The Dutchman’s incredible ability to drop in and out of the forward line helped him score 10 goals. He also managed to make eight assists in the process. However, Van Persie only played in 20 games across competitions that season because of an injury.
However, Van Persie isn’t the only Dutchman on the list. Coincidentally, there’s another player who played the role of a false nine playing for the Gunners. He goes by the name of Dennis Berkgamp, and he is regarded as one of the greatest supporting strikers in the history of soccer.
Bergkamp was on different level, sometimes it seemed the ball was connected to him and he could manoeuvre it at will. Also he made Henry a better player. If Henry was the King then Bergkamp was the Magician. pic.twitter.com/S366sYLueK
— Julie Rose (@juliearose) January 26, 2024
Berkgamp kept on inspiring talents by playing as a false nine throughout his entire career at Arsenal. Idolizing Johan Cruyff, who was the best for the role, Berkgamp kept on helping the Gunners create chances by dropping back. In the meantime, he was always used to finding Thierry Henry’s goal-scoring exploits as a tool to make a name for himself on the list of false nines.
Johan Cruyff’s name on the legendary false 9’s list is a constant. One of the greatest ever players to have played the game, Cruyff was a part of Rinus Michel’s unique 1-3-3-3 formation while playing at Ajax back in the 1970s. Such was his impact in the given role that it was termed the ‘Cruyff Attack’ back in the day.
By this time, Cruyff had already won 3 Ballon d’ors, he also carried out a new role in football namely ‘false nine’ in the 1974 World Cup – in which he also won the best player of the tournament award after making it to the finals. pic.twitter.com/feHZRCcCcV
— PositionalPlayMerchant ( XAVI SZN 😍) (@xaviGoatFC) October 13, 2021
The system was simple. Even though Cruyff was given the central striing roles on paper, he would frequently drift wide or deep during the buildup. Cruyff would eventually create an open space for his teammate Johan Neeskens, who would surge into it from the central midfield role. His dangerous off-the-ball movements and passes made Ajax a force to be reckoned with.
No false 9 list is ever complete without the mention of Roberto ‘Bobby’ Firmino. During a time when Liverpool’s attacks were mainly dominated by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, Firmino was said to be the silent assassin. Firmino’s link-up play helped Liverpool regain their lost glory in 2017. And the brain behind Firmino’s role was none other than Jurgen Klopp.
Roberto Firmino – The Art Of A False Nine
( likes and retweets appreciated ) pic.twitter.com/TK9rJltxQ5— 🎈 (@T2MTW) January 18, 2020
Firmino just had one task, which he used to do with perfection. And it was to make space for Salah and Mane. The African duo were unstoppable on the break, thanks to Firmino’s intelligence. The Brazilian was also used by Klopp as the first line of defense. He used to drop deep in search of the ball and orchestrate the play by finding fellow forwards.
Firmino, who is also known for his insane trickery and no-look passes, was a joy to watch. Firmino was not the usual scorer of goals, but his role did help Liverpool win the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League during that period.
How did Pep Guardiola use Lionel Messi as a false nine?
Lionel Messi’s performance against rivals Real Madrid back in May 2009 was by far the greatest ever to have come from a false nine. Pep Guardiola’s tactical masterclass helped the Cules earn bragging rights over Madrid by demolishing them 6-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Messi was unstoppable in that game, as he scored a couple of goals with an assist alongside his name.
The game was during Guardiola’s third year at Barcelona. Messi was placed in the middle of the pitch, close to Xavi and Iniesta, as a false forward. In the process, the Argentine could find Pedro and David Villa, who played as wide wingers during that season. It helped Messi provide deep lines of passing, which he did with ease.
Messi’s stats as a False 9 are out of this world 🤯 pic.twitter.com/N7OeO2y0Lt
— L/M Football (@lmfootbalI) October 29, 2021
Pep Guardiola once stated that playing Messi at the center of the pitch would eventually invite one of the Real Madrid center-backs to press him. And thus, the forwards will be left with a one-on-one opportunity with the other defender. And Messi went on to do the same thing.
However, that role wasn’t only meant for El Classico. Messi’s record for playing as a false nine is immense. The Ballon d’Or winner has scored a total of 161 goals with 70 assists in 149 games where he played as a second striker.