@fifatrainingcentre: Shape Is Not Enough 
A mid-block is not just about the formation. As Gilberto Silva explains, the shape only works if the distances are right. If players are too far away from each other, opponents can find space between the lines - or punish the team immediately after a turnover. That is why compactness, communication and defensive balance are so important. And for the pivot in front of the defence, the role is clear: guide the players around him, protect the space behind them, and be ready to cover when the game changes. TSG expert: Gilberto Silva won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and made 244 appearances for Arsenal.

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Saturday 27 June 2026 19:46:31 GMT