A good defense allows midfielders and attackers to play up the field with a lot more freedom.
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Attack wins games, defense wins titles. The quote by the great Sir Alex Ferguson is a testament to how crucial the art of defending is for a football team. Some might even say that the defense holds more value than attack. Teams that have a steady back line are often more secure in their game play. A good defense allows midfielders and attackers to play up the field with a lot more freedom as they do not necessarily have to worry about their defensive duties.
Some of the best performing of 2022 boasts of some of the best defenders in the world. Teams like Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Napoli and others. Being an absolute rock at the back is one of the most difficult things to do in today’s fast-paced game, but there will be always be some who can fulfil that role match after match.
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been one of the best center-backs in the world this year both in the Premier League and during the world cup. For Manchester City, Dias has 73 appearances in 2022 in which he has conceded only 47 times. He has tackled 56 times and has a success rate of 63%. With 139 air tackles won, 179 clearances and 31 clean sheets, the Portuguese has been a tank in the center of the City defense. He was immense for Portugal in the world cup as well with an 80% tackle success rate and 91% pass completion rate.
The Manchester United center-back was initially criticized for his overly aggressive approach and sloppy play, but the Argentine quickly adapted to the pace of the Premier League and has been playing like an absolute legend ever since. Martinez has been the perfect partner to Raphael Varane and a menace to any striker he is put up against. The Argentine was crucial in the world cup as well which he won after defeating France in the final. Martinez has been a solid presence in the United back line and perhaps one of the clubs best buys in the last 10 years.
One of the main reasons Real Madrid are on top of the La Liga is their solid defense. One of their key men in the back four this year has been Brazilian defender Eder Militao. Militao has been rock solid in the back of the park for Carlo Ancelotti’s men and he will be hoping to keep his standards high for as long as possible. Mlitao was a fantastic find for Real who look well on course to win the La Liga.
