During open play (not set pieces) zonal defence usually out-performs man-marking. This video shows how to press the ball and provide cover and balance. Obviously watch the whole thing if you want – there’s some good stuff, especially with midfield rotation – but the defensive shape and how to compress the play and defend as a unit is what I want you all to think about. Yes, it’s in French, but don’t let that put you off.
There are a few points to highlight here.
1m08s: 4-man defensive press, cover and balance. The pressing defender should be at about touching distance to the attacker, but without the defender diving in. The cover defender should be close enough to provide cover, but far enough away that the attacker can’t beat both players at the same time. The overall curved line of defenders serves two purposes:
a) to keep the offside line as far up as possible, keeping things compact
b) to make it very hard to play through balls.
1m30s: as the defensive four push up, the goalkeeper needs to go part of the way with them. Otherwise, there is too much space, and a quick ball over the top of the defence will likely result in a one-on-one counter attack.
1m32s: more of the same, but with midfielders joining in too.
1m47s: pressing looks easy here, but that’s because the opposition are playing with a back three. It’s harder with a back four, and the 9 may end up flogging themselves trying to press two CBs and the GK. I have another video to share about that, but that’s a lesson for another day.