Title: *”The 5-2-3 Formation at Euro 2020: A Tactical Revolution”*
Subtitle: How England, Denmark, Belgium and Germany Reinvented Modern Football
Introduction
The 2020 European Championship marked a tactical watershed as the 5-2-3 formation emerged as the tournament’s defining system. *The 5-2-3: How It Was Used at Euro 2020* by Daryl Bidguillard and Quan Bountue provides an unparalleled tactical autopsy of how four elite nations – England, Denmark, Belgium and Germany – deployed this versatile shape to dominate opponents.
Defining the Tactical Blueprint
This groundbreaking analysis reveals:
- Defensive Solidity – Creating back-five overloads against wing-heavy systems (UEFA Technical Report)
- Midfield Control – The double pivot’s role in transition moments
- Attacking Fluidity – Front-three rotations that confused back-four defenses
Nation-Specific Implementations
1. England’s Adaptive Approach
Transitioning between defensive and attacking phases:
- Wing-back positioning variations
- Kane’s false nine interpretation
- Defensive block adjustments
2. Denmark’s Pressing System
Moving beyond traditional back-five uses:
- Aggressive zonal jumps
- Midfield pressing triggers
- Recovery shape protocols
3. Belgium’s Hybrid Model
Furthermore, the book examines:
- De Bruyne’s free role parameters
- Witsel’s screening adaptations
- Hazard’s inverted wing play
Why This Formation Dominated
Statistical evidence shows:
- 58% clean sheet rate across using teams
- 42% increase in wing-back chance creation
- Featured in Opta’s tournament analysis
Coaching Applications
- For Club Coaches
- Opposition-specific adaptations
- Player profile matching
- For Youth Developers
- Progressive introduction pathways
- Positional rotation teaching
- For Analysts
- Game model comparison tools
- Performance benchmarking
Conclusion
Ultimately, *The 5-2-3 at Euro 2020* transcends typical formation guides by blending cutting-edge analysis with practical implementation insights. The authors’ meticulous approach makes this essential reading for coaches navigating modern football’s tactical evolution.
Final Rating:
★★★★★ (5/5)
“Changed how we view back-five systems” – UEFA Pro License Coach