Rose and Maric have switched to a 4-2-3-1 shape rather than a 4-4-2 diamond but their principles remain the same, denying the opposition access to the central areas and ferocious lateral pressing in the wide areas with their attackers being heavily involved. The attacking midfielder in the ten space will situationally move closer to the striker when the opposition work a back pass to the goalkeeper as Borussia Monchengladbach will press to force the long ball. The attacking midfielder will mark the opposition six while the striker pressures the centre-backs to force the ball into the wide areas. When the opposition moves higher, the striker will drop to mark the opposition six.

Rose and Maric have given their team man-orientated pressing responsibilities as they will concede 2v1 situations with the striker pressing both the centre-backs in a medium block. When the ball is played back to the keeper, the striker will move up to press the keeper, the wingers will move inside to press the two centre-backs and the fullbacks will push up to press the opposition fullbacks when the ball is distributed to them. Their attacking midfielder will be tasked with marking the opposition defensive midfielder at all times during the pressing phase.The midfield double pivot is tasked with tracking deeper-lying midfielders while the ball-far wing-back will maintain a three-chain with the highly placed centre-backs allowing the ball-near centre-back to shift across and gain better access to his flank as press security. The wingers will only engage the fullbacks during the lateral pressure or counter-pressing phase.

The most intriguing facet of Rose and Maric’s press is their wide pressing traps as once the ball is moved out wide, the winger, ball-near deeper lying central midfielder and fullback will all move out wide to engage the player in possession and force a turnover. In the picture above, Borussia Monchengladbach are preparing for a lateral press as the opposition seek to move the ball out wide while the Monchengladbach defensive block is shifting to the left side. As the whole block shifts to the ball-near side, if the opposition try to play a line-breaking pass in the wide zones, the fullback will push up to regain possession. In the photo above, Monchengladbach have denied the opposition access to the six space in a 2v1 situation, denied the opposition access to the central player in between the lines in another 2v1 while the ball-near fullback is marked. A switch ball to the ball-far fullback can be regained by the ball-far winger. The centre-back in possession has two immediate options, drive forward and engage pressure to risk a 3v1 pressing situation or play a long ball where Monchengladbach can regain possession.

Monchengladbach could also press as a flat 4-3-3 to gain more coverage against the opposition defensive three-chain and for more rigidity in midfield. The wingers will situationally push higher up either side of the central striker to create front three while the midfield will create a flat midfield three as Monchengladbach will shift as a 4-3-3 to defend the wide areas when the opposition move possession to the fullbacks. Plea, Thuram and Embolo are talented at regaining possession in the higher areas as well as working quick combinations to establish counters to create goalscoring opportunities.