Forza Italian Football is pleased to bring its readers a regular new feature – Il Mister. Our experts will endeavour to show you all the methods and tactical secrets employed by Serie A’s best football coaches.
Set pieces are a crucial part of the modern game. Some teams can score as many as half of their goals from dead ball positions and therefore it makes sense that top clubs have set routines which they practice on the training ground, to maximise their chances of scoring during a match.
In this week’s ‘Il Mister’ we will bring you the favoured corners as used by top Serie A coach and former Chievo tactician, Domenico Di Carlo.
Mister Di Carlo explains that each corner needs to be carefully considered depending on the defensive attributes of the opponent. He also prefers his team to rehearse the moves without any defenders, so as to convince his players that the moves are effective therefore improving their concentration during a real game situation.
Corner 1
Corner 1
Eleven hits an in-swinging corner towards the front post.
Players 2 and 3 remain deep as defensive cover and 10 remains just outside the 18 yard box.
Six players will be inside the area as proposed in the image. Eleven will take the corner just as 7 makes his run outside of the area.
Players 6 and 8 will cross each other as 4 and 9 make their way towards the near post to meet the ball.
Five, who is initially on the keeper, will make a small run forward in case the ball fails to meet 4 or 9.
Corner 2
Corner 2
Our second corner is to create a shot from the edge of the area, potentially a volley for number 10.
The corner is only swung over once 4 makes his run outside of the box that will cover the target of the cross, number 10.
The movements inside the area are as shown in the image to hopefully disorientate the defence.
This corner can only be attempted if the team has an accurate crosser of the ball and a player that can execute a volley.
Corner 3
Corner 3
Our next set piece is an out-swinging cross aimed at number 8.
The corner is taken as soon as 4 makes a run outside of the box to again confuse the defence but also form part of the cover if things go wrong.
The important run in the image is that of 5 who will attempt to block the defender marking 8 who will then be unhindered as he meets the ball.
Corner 4
Corner 4
Another out-swinging corner aimed at reaching the number 5.
The majority of the players are positioned almost like a train, making it difficult to mark and for defenders to second guess which way the attackers will run.
Ten, 7 and 9 make dummy runs towards the near post (or if the cross is poorly hit and does not reach the far post they can attack the ball) just as 5 makes his move towards the back of the six yard area.
