What is gegenpressing in football?
Gegenpressing (in English, counter-pressing) is a tactic that means pressing the opponent immediately right after losing the ball, instead of dropping back. The idea is to win the ball back as fast as possible and close to the opponent's goal.
The key idea
When a team has just lost the ball, the opponent is usually disorganized and badly positioned to defend. That is the best moment to win it back. As Jürgen Klopp put it: "the best playmaker is counter-pressing."
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Ver App GratisHow it works
| Element | What it means |
|---|---|
| Immediate reaction | Pressing in the seconds after losing the ball |
| Compactness | Lines close together to block passing options |
| Intensity | High, coordinated physical effort |
| High recovery | Winning the ball near the opponent's box to attack quickly |
Who made it famous?
The term comes from German (gegen = "against", pressing = "pressure") and is mainly associated with Jürgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. It also draws on the pressing ideas of coaches like Marcelo Bielsa and Ralf Rangnick.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same as high pressing? They are related, but gegenpressing is triggered specifically right after losing the ball, not continuously.
What does it demand from players? A lot of physical intensity, coordination and tactical discipline.
What is the risk? If the first press is beaten, the team can be exposed to a counter-attack.
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