To the untrained eye, it looks absolutely bizarre. It punctures the pre-match excitement and tension. After the walk-outs, the anthems, the handshakes, and the countdown on the big screens comes the ultimate anti-climax. The fans inside the stadium have paid a pretty penny to be entertained, yet the first 'pass' of the game goes straight out of play.
Rather than pass backwards from the centre circle to keep possession, or launch the ball downfield towards a striker, teams are increasingly deciding the best course of action from kick-off is to kick it straight out of play for a throw-in. The United States, Qatar, and Morocco have all taken up the tactic, preferring to give their opponents a throw-in down by their own corner flag than make use of the ball themselves. It has left some casual viewers confused and led others to question negative tactics.
The Rise of Data-Driven Tactics
In an era defined by data, analytics, and the use of set piece coaches, it shouldn't really be a surprise that something which previously would have been considered counter-intuitive is now becoming commonplace. The idea behind the tactic is relatively simple: to push up the pitch and apply pressure on your opponents right at the start of the game. A throw-in right back by the corner flag offers very little opportunity for the opponents and allows your team to get touch-tight, press, and hopefully force a turnover of possession in a dangerous area.
It's no risk, in return for a potentially high reward. Even if it does look bizarre. The tactic has become a calling card of Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique's management, but the Spanish coach actually credited Lyon with its genesis. “Teams will figure you out. In football, there’s no magic wand,” he said last year when asked about it. “You’ve got to keep switching things up and evolving.”
PSG's Extreme Approach
PSG have taken the tactic to even further extremes. Their back-to-back Champions League successes have often seen goalkeeper Matvey Safonov deliberately sending his goal-kicks out for throw-ins, rather than keeping the ball in play. The idea, seemingly, is to try and pen in the opponents and funnel the ball into dangerous areas where a turnover can happen. It's about forcing your opponents to do something they don't want to do; to play the sort of game that doesn't suit them.
PSG's tactics have spread right across the game, with a FIFA article noting that Uganda, Morocco, and New Caledonia used the kick-off ploy at the Under-17 World Cup recently. That tournament also saw Austria and Portugal kicking it out for an opposition goal kick, in order to encourage their opponents to play out from the back.
Possession vs. Territory
In a previous era, possession was considered to be an all-important commodity. It was treasured, monopolised, hoarded. Now, high-intensity pressing and forcing turnovers in dangerous positions are more dominant theories. A knock-on effect is that territory trumps possession for some coaches - and that some viewers of the World Cup are confused.
