Position
The centre-forward — the team’s main goalscorer and the focal point of the attack.
Strikers lead the line. In a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 this is usually a lone number 9; in a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 the attacking pair splits roles between a holder and a runner.
Archetypes vary wildly: the target man (Haaland), the poacher (Raúl), the all-round number 9 (Lewandowski), and the false 9 (Messi in his Barça prime).
Finishing is the obvious skill, but modern strikers also press the centre-backs, link play with the 10 and hold the ball up for wingers to attack.
Discover
Goalkeeper (GK)
The only player allowed to use hands inside their penalty area, and the last line of defence.
Centre-back (CB)
One of two (or three) central defenders responsible for stopping the opposing striker.
Full-back (LB / RB)
Defenders on the left or right of the back four who provide width and attacking support.
Wing-back (LWB / RWB)
A full-back in a back-three system who provides width on both sides of the pitch, end to end.
Defensive midfielder (CDM)
A midfielder positioned just in front of the back four, tasked with breaking up play and recycling possession.
Central midfielder (CM)
A midfielder playing between the defensive and attacking thirds, balancing creation and recovery.
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