The 2024 UEFA European Championship will see some of the most intense and thrilling matches in football history. Behind each team’s success is a series of strategies for every possible situation that can happen on the field.
If you plan to join in the excitement of Euro football betting, learning these strategies will improve your Euro 2024 odds of winning. Here are some of the key strategies that are likely to dominate the fields of Germany:
The Art of the High Press
Once the opposing team gets possession of the ball, high press is a strategy where players use high-pressure moves that force the opponent to make mistakes. The high press strategy sees more success when done in the other team’s half of the field.
One of the teams that have made this strategy popular is Man City. At the Euro 2024, expect to see teams with fast midfielders and wingers use this tactic to regain control and quickly counterattack.
The downside of this strategy is that it comes with some risks. It leaves a lot of space behind the team’s defense. This can be dangerous if the other team is quick to counteract and get past the high pressure. It also requires a lot of energy, so the team’s effectiveness might decrease as the game continues.
Zonal Marking vs Man-marking
Zonal marking involves assigning defenders to cover specific areas of the field instead of individual players. This allows for better team coordination.
It works well against teams that pass the ball a lot, as defenders can block the passing lanes more easily. This makes it difficult for the other team to find open spaces. Zonal marking can be a struggle against attackers who move around to different positions.
Man-marking, on the other hand, means each defender is assigned to closely follow a specific opposing player. This can be effective at stopping key attackers. However, it requires the whole defense to be disciplined and focused. Any mistake can be taken advantage of. It can also leave open spaces in other areas if attackers draw the markers away.
Using one of these strategies depends on the opponent they’re playing and the strengths of their defense. Expect many Euro 2024 teams to switch between these two tactics depending on what works best at the moment.
The Sweeper
The sweeper is a defender who plays behind the main defense. It was a popular position but has been less common in recent years. With the importance of speed in modern football, the sweeper could make a potential comeback at the Euro 2024.
As the final line of defense, the sweeper will clean up any balls that get past the first group of defenders, effectively stopping counter-attacks. This is great against teams with fast attackers who are good at transitioning from defense to attack.
However, the sweeper strategy requires the whole defense to be coordinated. The sweeper also needs to have excellent positioning and tackling ability. Having a sweeper can also limit creativity in the midfield. With this, teams can be hesitant to commit too many players forward with a sweeper behind them.
The Set-piece Specialist
Set-pieces, including free kicks and corner kicks, can be a great way for teams to score goals in the Euro 2024. Having a well-organized defense with a designated set-piece specialist is ideal.
This player leads the defense, ensures proper marking, and watches out for potential threats.
On the attacking side, set-pieces can be useful for teams with tall, strong players who can head the ball effectively. Having a designated set-piece taker who can deliver pinpoint crosses is valuable. Considering this, Euro 2024 teams will likely spend a lot of time practicing set-piece routines, trying to find weaknesses in the other team’s defensive organization.
Bet on the Euro 2024
These are just a few of the many key defensive strategies you can expect to see on the fields of Germany. From coordinated high-pressure attacks to the strategic use of zonal marking and sweepers, teams will use a variety of strategies to gain an edge over their competition. Make sure to explore more possible strategies and closely observe the teams to further bolster your Euro 2024 betting odds.
