How Real Sociedad brought back the Number 10

Real Sociedad are doing pretty well in La Liga this year. They’re currently 3rd in the table, and I’ve really enjoyed watching them. That’s partly because of their unique tactical setup, which uses a pure number 10, something we don’t see too often anymore.

So in this video I give an overview of the tactics deployed by coach Imanol Alguacil, and how La Real use one of the best number 10s in the game, David Silva, to make the system work. Enjoy!

I’d like to do more of this style of video, so let me know what other teams/players I should cover!

Sections:

0:00 Intro
0:57 Real Sociedad’s 4-4-2 diamond
1:55 Imanol’s three principles
5:23 Analysing David Silva
7:50 Be Your Best
8:50 Who should I cover next?

[jonathana]

I miss pure no 10's. The man who brought the magic and the creativity. The talisman.

[benewien]

I love the playstyle of david silva, he was always such a worldclass player

[thepurist_]

Trying out a new style of video, focusing on a specific element of a team’s tactics. Let me know what you think, and what other teams/players you’d like to see covered :)

[harunyoldash]

It’s good to see you are analyzing such teams which have not spotlight on them in media but still have something special and interesting. I enjoy your analysis and presentation.

[koseisan]

David Silva, age 34, was by far the most consistent player in the 2019/20 Man City squad even though it was his final year. That says it all.

[sergiogonzalezceballos]

Hi there, Real Sociedad supporter here. Great analysis indeed, we have switched to a "standard" 4-3-3 now that Mikel Oyarzabal is available and Silva had an injury for some more than a month. But you have given me insight on my own team, thanks for that. You gained a subscriber here.

[mclovinyousaucin]

david silva the most underrated player of this generation, absolute legend

[MarxInMars]

Great video as always! An analysis of Napoli and their dominant run would be great to see, particularly on the partnership of Kvaratskhelia and Oshimen

[mdfida]

Yes, more tactical videos of other teams and players please

[charlief]

To add to this analysis, the 4-4-2 diamond system tends to provide width in the form of a fullback going all the way and one of the two CF(usually the fastest) going wide the other. In fact, many Argentinian teams from back in the late 90's and 2000's had some variation of this. One of the forward was a classic 9(tall, strong, good heading) and the other was fast and mobile creating width on both sides, while on of the fullbacks attacked the space. Argentina even used this system back in the World Cup 2006(Riquelme the 10, Tevez/Saviola/Messi the fast forward, Crespo/Cruz the number 9 and Sorin the fullback) and Copa America 2007 and, poorly executed, in South Africa 2010. I wonder how Real does it though.

[grry]

Great video! love to see David Silva still shining on.

[ezygoeasy]

Kubo has been filling in that role pretty well too when Silva's not playing.

[cb]

David Silva is one of the most underrated players ever in football history.

[furfortnait]

Hey, great Video. I don‘t know if you‘ve noticed this too but more and more teams are switching to 3/5 at the back (e.g. Bayern, Psg and litteraly the whole Serie A). Could you maybe explain what the up- and downsides of 3/5 at the back are and why these teams are switching? I think that would be a very interesting Video.

[craigisesele]

Could you do more videos talking about old but great players. Noticed a good amount of older players who're still essential to their teams
E.g. Modric and who you see as their potential successors

[Gantaipao]

David Silva 🔥 the most underrated Footballer.

[kewoncrayton]

I think a cool video which could also increase the watch time; looking at the most important creator(s) from the top sides in the UCL or across the top five leagues (or even PL) to start with and how not only the formations and tactics work, but their individual actions and skillsets that allow them to excel;

eg - Mentioning David’s particular skillset in pass weight and angle and how that works with the team and utilizing the space there even without the traditional width of wingers

[e.maleki]

Great video! Unlike other channels your tactics analysis is actually interesting!

[joebastow]

When you have David silva in your team, you play him where he's at his best. There hasn't been another player like him while he's been around.

[metabalcanico]

love David Silva, so underrated and humble