Sportskeeda's guide to enhance the football viewing experience

#3 Watch each player’s positioning and the team’s shape

Chelsea’s defensive shape under Antonio Conte. (Photo Credit: Football Whispers)

Paulo Maldini once said, “If I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake.” That's how important the art of positioning is. It is without a doubt a vital aspect of football. Teams who are more compact and have a better shape that move dynamically together in synchronised fashion, generally do better in the game. Most Italian managers will have this aspect perfected and Jose Mourinho’s teams do the same.

Watch how the midfield and defence are positioned when they don’t have the ball, it’ll give the viewer an idea of how well drilled they are. Consequently, watch the positioning of the players when they have the ball as well, this will give viewers an idea of how the team’s formation works when they are in possession of the ball.

Shape and positioning are crucial and often separate the best teams from the average ones.