How Thiago Motta is redefining possession football

Thiago Motta has quickly become one of the most interesting coaches in Europe. And with Bologna massively over-performing in Serie A, it's a perfect time to explore their unique brand of football.

Motta has described Bologna's style as a 'mix of positional and relational' football. But is it really? And could Motta be a candidate to take over at one of the elite teams? Let's find out!

Sections:
0:00 The future of possession?
0:35 A different kind of movement
3:25 Squarespace
4:18 Structure without position
6:44 The limitations of freedom?
7:35 Street football
8:55 Defensive balance
10:37 The next great coach?

[thepurist_]

Analysis of Bologna out of possession :)

[conorcorboy]

I'd like to see the video of Bologna out of possession!

[C_.]

Peoples talk much about the Premier League, La Liga and even Bundesliga and me like a fan of football obviously love all of them, but I really believe that Serie A deserves more attention in the last years, we always have some interesting teams to watch. A few years ago we had Napoli of Sarri, then Atalanta of Gasperini in his prime, Sassuolo of De Zerbi, Lazio of Inzaghi with a nice team, Inter with Conte, Milan with a great season with Pioli winning a tittle after many years, and recently Roma's Mourinho that was not exactly beautiful but with the "passional football" only just Special One can give us, amazing Napoli of Spaletti, Bologna of Thiago Motta and of course Inter of Inzaghi.

Watch Serie A guys, is very fun 🇮🇹

[DidYaServe]

Positional football killed my confidence as a young player. I was shunted to right-back and in games where I felt we were totally dominant, I would attack like a striker and score bags of goals only to be yelled at by the coach. I like Motta's philosophy. Trust that all your players are fine footballers and let them express themselves within a tactical structure.

[davicosta]

Purist, I've been loving this deep look at coaches that you're doing

If I could suggest another name to put on your list, it would be Sebastian Hoeneß and his Stuttgart side, looks like a very interesting team from a tactical point of view and I'm excited to see them at Champions League next year and to see the development of Hoeneß as a coach

[MichaelChandra]

Nagelsman, Xabi, Arteta, and Motta. Hopefully they continue to grow and make football interesting again. Sometimes i wish all of them could face off again Klopp and Pep. Older generation coach vs new one. Especially Xabi and Nagelsmann.

[HIIQ-sx]

Would've loved him to stay at Barça a bit longer than he did. Funny how all these former Barça players have interesting interpretations of football. Pep, Arterta, Xavi, Motta, Rafa Marquez... can't wait till Busquests is a coach you definitely see something.

[vanshchhikara]

please do make a vid on them out of possession, and I love your vids, keep em coming!

[lyonkennedy]

I can’t express enough how excited I get every time you upload; this is definitely my absolute favorite channel on YT at the moment. Would’ve loved more frequent uploads but if it affects the quality of your videos, I’d prefer to stick to this current model.

[urielcastro]

Scaloni does something similar in Argentina. He said in some interviews that the main thing about his team are the player roles and not the positions.

[pboyiyinbor]

I have been watching Barcelona for more then 20 yr now, this is how they use to play with passing and movement. Denial alves and messi was so good doing this on the right wing. His such a Barcelona coach but laporta would not go for him now.

[arkaroy]

Sounds like pure Cruyff philosophy to me . The positions should not be locked, they should be fluid and interchangeable keeping the passing angles constant.

[jaycfc]

Interesting style of play Motta has. Also love Zirkzee’s ability to play in such tight spaces, controls the ball amazingly

[radar]

One of my favorite players of his to watch is Jhon Lucumí. Left footed CB who plays on the right side and constantly moves into the midfield. Seems to grow each game with Motta

[dtonpbac]

wow even Thiago Motta is a coach now? Feels so old

[arkdhpl]

Love these longer-form videos on the less discussed coaches- so much of the tactical knowledge out there revolves around the Prem so always good to hear about the under appreciated geniuses.

P.S. I think that guy wants you to break down prime Inzaghi

[aurianzarrineh]

This guy could take Barcelona to another level if they can get him the proper pivot, pedri can be an upgrade from zirkzee as a deep lying playmaker who is the central node of possession, barcas center backs are also very good on the ball and can make runs forward

[ameen]

This is similar to my type of philosophy that i had been thinking in my mind when i start coaching

[nk_]

What happened to the regular barca tactical analysis?? I used to eagerly wait for the video after big matches😢

[maxlarur]

Would be super interested in seeing another video on Bologna's off the ball tactics please do make that video 🙏