Defensive decision-making and execution

World-class defenders have to master a range of defensive duties, from defending space to protecting their goal and reacting to moves by opposition attackers. The speed of the game means defenders have to make a lot of decisions very quickly in order to anticipate and react to events on the pitch, and are then expected to execute those decisions immediately.

During Germany’s quarter-final victory over Spain at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, centre-back Finn Jeltsch (4) caught the eye of FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG). The FC Nürnberg defender delivered a decisive performance in every sense of the word, showing strong awareness and sound defensive decision-making to make many successful defensive interventions in a wide variety of situations. The right-sided 17-year-old blocked two attempts at goal and made six clearances (five of them headers), as well as regaining possession for his team seven times. He was also fouled three times, winning valuable free-kicks for his side. He ranked among the top performers on the pitch in four of these five metrics.

(1/2) Germany centre-back Finn Jeltsch (4) proved effective in a variety of defensive situations during his team’s quarter-final victory over Spain.

(2/2) Jeltsch ranked joint-first for possession regains in this match.

Pascal Zuberbühler attended this match for the TSG, and he was very impressed by Jeltsch’s performance:

“He is a very clever player and understands how to organise his defence. His body positioning was excellent because he was able to see the ball and assess the scenario around him before making decisions and executing those decisions. He consistently scans the area around him as opposition attacks develop, meaning he makes very solid game-related decisions that fit the context of the different defensive situations he finds himself in,” the former Switzerland goalkeeper said.

“Because of his game awareness, his ability to anticipate and react are impressive. As we see in the clips below, his timing is excellent, because he knows when to go and when to stay, and this is why he made so many successful interventions both on the ground and in the air. He also trusts his fellow defenders to do their jobs. That means he can commit to his own responsibilities with full conviction, which is a very impressive trait in such a young player,” he added.

Clip 1: Germany centre-back Finn Jeltsch judges his defensive intervention perfectly, successfully advancing to block an attempt at goal.

Clip 2: As the ball progresses up the pitch, Jeltsch checks over his shoulder to ensure his follow defenders are dealing with Spain’s advancing forwards before positioning on the edge of the goal area (six-yard box) and intercepting the attempted cross.

Clip 3: Jeltsch takes responsibility for his team-mate in front of him as he drops in to receive the ball. Jeltsch then wins the ball back and initiates a counter-attack for his team.

M01 IND v ECU: (21) Santiago Sánchez (ECU)

M02 PAN v MAR: (18) Mohamed Hamony (MAR)

M03 ESP v CAN: (9) Marc Guiu (ESP)

M04 MLI v UZB: (17) Mamadou Doumbia (MLI)

M05 BRA v IRN: (1) Arsha Shakouri (IRN)

M06 NCL v ENG: (10) Sam Amo-Ameyaw (ENG)

M07 JPN v POL: (13) Yumeki Yoshinaga (JPN)

M08 ARG v SEN: (10) Amara Diouf (SEN)

M09 FRA v BFA: (8) Saïmon Bouabré (FRA)

M10 KOR v USA: (7) Nimfasha Berchimas (USA)

M11 MEX v GER: (11) Charles Herrmann (GER)

M12 VEN v NZL: (8) Giovanny Sequera (VEN)