Table of Contents
- So, what is a mezzala in soccer?
- Where does the term ‘mezzala’ come from?
- What are the benefits of deploying a mezzala in soccer?
- What’s the difference between a mezzala and a playmaker?
- Example of a mezzala in soccer
- Recap: Mezzala in soccer explained
The Italians have given us so much in soccer over the years. Some of the greatest players and managers have hailed from this corner of Europe, not to mention the iconic moments imprinted on our memories (Marco Tardelli’s goal celebration at World Cup ‘82 springs to mind).
Another contribution is their seemingly affectionate way of generating new labels for roles and positions on the field.
This article will look at the mezzala to examine what it is and how it’s deployed in the modern game.
So, what is a mezzala in soccer?
A mezzala is a central midfielder who can push into more advanced areas out wide.
Typically, the role is used when a team lines up with three or more central midfielders. One of these midfielders will usually sit deep and focus on defensive work, allowing the other two central midfielders to become hybrid players who can fluctuate between being positioned in the middle of the park and pushing outside when attacking.
You often see sides who line up with a “triangle” or “diamond” in midfield deploying a mezzala either side of the deep-lying midfielder tasked with more defensive duties.
Where does the term ‘mezzala’ come from?
The term is a loose translation from the Italian “half winger” (deriving from “mezzo ala”) implying a sort of hybrid role.
It’s thought that the word mezzale, the plural of mezzala, was first conceived in the 1930s to describe the two central midfielders who often advanced forward. It appeared to be a general term used across Italian soccer rather than focusing on the tactics of one team.
Teams from generations ago would tend to line up with far more attacking formations than we see today, meaning head coaches would often exploit the numbers they had in midfield to contribute to attacking moves.
What are the benefits of deploying a mezzala in soccer?
A mezzala allows your side to attack in different ways. You have the obvious possibility of moving forward as a unit in a narrow way, keeping all the midfielders central, but you can also spread things out to open up the pitch and look to expose space left by your opponents.
Diversifying your attacking approach can confuse your opponents and make your side less predictable going forward.
When you’re creating chances, there is an element of risk involved with trying to open up the opposition. This is another advantage of the mezzala because, rather than playing risky passes from a central midfield position, they will do so from an advanced wide position where their risk is less likely to be punished as severely.
The channels that a mezzala operates in are transient and will depend on the circumstances of the game, but it certainly provides attacking versatility and flexibility in midfield.
What’s the difference between a mezzala and a playmaker?
Playmakers tend to be positioned predominantly in the middle of the park so they can dictate the play from a good vantage point and have options on either side of them.
Knowing where everybody on your team is with the best view of the field and having space to operate in is essential for a playmaker. You can learn more about the role from one of our previous articles.
Because a mezzala is usually a wider midfielder in a trio who is asked to go further out wide and higher up the field, it’s unlikely that managers will ask them to serve as playmakers.
Generally speaking, wide players aren’t often asked to become playmakers because they can easily be suffocated out of space by defensive teams because they lack room on one side.While there are some who might categorize the mezzala as a playmaker, it makes more sense to classify it as a box-to-box figure, those who play a part in the combative defensive work in midfield and helps out in attack.
Example of a mezzala in soccer
Perhaps the most renowned modern-day example of a mezzala is Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba. His vast canvas of skills makes him perfectly suited to a role that requires versatility and athleticism.
Fans who regularly attend games at the Allianz Stadium will attest to how well he contests battles in the midfield of the field before finding himself in the attacking third and possessing the tools to create meaningful chances.
Manchester City’s Portuguese star Bernardo Silva is as proficient out wide as he is in the center of the park, making him a head coach’s dream. Because he often receives the ball from a deeper, more central position before drifting out wide to free up space for teammates and instigate attacks, he fits the description of a mezzala well.
Having a player as fluid as Silva in a side like Manchester City’s is exactly what head coach Pep Guardiola is looking for so his side can remain versatile and overwhelming.
Recap: Mezzala in soccer explained
So, that’s the mezzala role covered! A traditional role that has been used by countless teams over the decades to devastating effect. With the right players performing the duties expected of a mezzala, this role can work for your side too.
Next time you tune into a match, keep an eye out for those who you believe are performing the mezzala role and to what effect they are doing so.
Do you know your mezzala from regista and trequartista? Find out more about these intriguing roles in soccer in our respective articles!