Table of Contents
- What is a Regista in soccer?
- Is a Regista the same as a playmaker?
- The history of the Regista in soccer
- The evolution of the Regista
- Who is the best Regista in world soccer?
- Recap: The Regista in soccer explained
There are lots of different positions in modern soccer, particularly in the midfield. But what on earth is a Regista in soccer?
In this article, we dive into the history of the role of the Regista in soccer, from its Italian roots to its use by some of the best teams in modern-day soccer.
What is a Regista in soccer?
A Regista in soccer is responsible for dictating the tempo of the game, linking attack and defense, and creating opportunities for the team going forward.
The word “Regista” in Italian means director, and originates from the fact that the Regista is very much the team’s on-field director, controlling the pace of the game and creating opportunities for their teammates.
One of the greatest Registas of all time was Andrea Pirlo, who controlled every facet of the beautiful game in the deep-lying midfield role he held throughout his career.
So, read on to find out everything you need to know about a Regista in soccer and whether or not you should employ this role in your starting eleven.
Is a Regista the same as a playmaker?
Fundamentally, a Regista in soccer is a type of playmaker. However, there are lots of different types of playmakers – wide playmakers, attacking playmakers, and trequartistas – to name but a few!
Therefore, it’s accurate to describe a Regista as a deep-lying playmaker. They sit just ahead of the defensive unit and dictate the speed of the game and the tempo of a team’s passing.
During the game, the Regista will drop deep to receive the ball from the goalkeeper and to fire long balls out wide, but they will also move forward and join attacks where necessary.
The most effective Registas in soccer are equally adept at attacking and defending and need to be able to shift gears to launch attacks and stifle threats in the same game.
But where exactly does the role come from, and which teams employ a Regista in their system?
The history of the Regista in soccer
The term “Regista” originates in Italy and can be traced as far back as the 1930s, when Italian soccer was dominated by the likes of Vittorio Pozzo and Gippo Viani.
In fact, Pozzo is accredited with first deploying the role in his Metodo system, when he was the manager of the Italian national team.
Pozzo’s deployment of the role initially saw his Regista play as a center half and it was Luis Monti who was tasked with performing the team’s playmaking duties.
Many credit Pozzo & Monti for popularising the role of the Regista, and it spread throughout European soccer in the decades that followed, but with a notable difference – the Regista was soon moved into midfield, as opposed to anchoring the backline.
The evolution of the Regista
While Pozzo envisaged the Regista as the backbone of his entire team, coaches realized that there was merit in freeing the Regista from many of the defensive responsibilities associated with playing as a central defender.
By moving the Regista up a notch, the player would be able to focus on building attacks and distributing the ball across the pitch, without worrying about being the last line of defense.
By the 1970s, Ajax’s brand of “Total Football” was the most desirable way to play the game, much like tiki taka is in the modern game.
While it would be amiss to reduce the genius of Johan Cruyff to that of a Regista, the fact remains that he was the heartbeat of Ajax’s dominant team and he was given a free role to control and create.
Cruyff’s brilliance highlighted the benefits of teams basing their entire tempo and approach to the game through a single playmaker, and many coaches followed suit and employed playmakers at the center of their teams.
Who is the best Regista in world soccer?
As already introduced, Andrea Pirlo is perhaps one of the finest Registas to have played the game in recent years. During his career, he personified everything about the role, controlling the game, creating opportunities, and launching attacks for his team.
It’s easy to make the case that Xavi Hernandez was a brilliant Regista, although his role varied somewhat throughout his years at Barcelona, and he didn’t always hold the role of a deep-lying playmaker.
Luka Modric is another brilliant example of a Regista, while his teammate Toni Kroos can also play the role expertly.
Ultimately, any player who has the ability to orchestrate a game’s tempo and control the flow of attacks can be employed in the role of Regista, and it’s an invaluable position to introduce to your team.
Recap: The Regista in soccer explained
When employed, the Regista in soccer is arguably the most important player on the pitch. Tasked with controlling the game, building attacks, and dictating the tempo, the Regista exists at the heartbeat of any team.
The likes of Pirlo, Modric, and Xavi Hernandez have mastered the Regista role over the years and have shown what is possible when a team plays predominantly through a single player.
So, if you want to utilize a playmaker in soccer, there’s no reason why a Regista can’t work for you and your team.