Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The use of the libero in the teams of the 90

Last update October 13, 2024 by Alberto Llopis

In the years 90, football underwent a significant tactical evolution that defined an era. One of the most influential aspects was the use of libero on defensive teams, a position that became the pillar of many successful strategies.

This figure, who acted as the last man, was essential for teams seeking not only to defend solidly, but also create play from the rear. In this decade, the libero reached its maximum expression, marking the style of play of many clubs and teams that opted for conservative tactics, but highly effective.

What is a libero?

The libero, from Italian meaning “free”, He is a defender who stands behind the central defenders, acting as an additional barrier to cut off any opponent's attack. His role was not limited only to defending; It was also key in the construction of the game, since he often had great technique and field vision to launch quick counterattacks or distribute the ball with precision.

In the years 90, This position was perfected to the point that some of the most defensive teams in the world built their schemes around the libero., ensuring unbreakable defensive solidity.

Defensive teams and the use of the libero in the 90

During the 90, Several teams adopted a style of play based on Bolt or variants thereof, with a clear focus on maintaining a solid defense. The libero was key in this tactic, providing additional cover and helping to neutralize opposing forwards with his reading of the game.

Italy: The king of the libero

No country used the libero as masterfully as Italy.. The A series It was the perfect breeding ground for the development of this position, and the 90, Italian football was characterized by its defensive rigidity and the importance of this role. Equipment like the Juventus, the AC Milan, and the Inter de Milan They had liberos who dictated the tempo of the match from behind.

One of the most iconic examples was Franco Baresi, AC Milan libero, who led one of the most feared defenses in Europe. Baresi was not only an insurmountable defender, but he was also capable of initiating attacking plays with his exquisite distribution of the ball. His ability to anticipate the game allowed him to stand out in a team that set the standard for defensive football at the time..

Franco Baresi Libero
One of the leaders and captain of the best Milan team in history. Italian is a fixture in any serious list of the best defenses in history on merit. The Libero par excellence (Libero magazine)

Germany: Beckenbauer's legacy

Although Franz Beckenbauer popularized the libero position in the 70, His influence extended to the 90. The German team, famous for its tactical solidity, continued using liberos in his defensive scheme. Matthias Sammer, one of the great liberos of the decade, He was instrumental in Germany's victory in the European Championship. 1996. Its versatility, allowing you to both defend and advance to the attack, made Sammer a complete player who embodied the spirit of the position.

Argentina: South American style

In South America, the libero position also found fertile ground, especially in teams that sought to combine defensive strength with technical talent. Oscar Ruggeri, one of the great Argentine defenders, He acted in many matches as a libero, contributing both in defense and in getting the ball out, becoming a reference in Argentine football in the years 90.

Iconic liberos of the 90

The beginning of the years 90 saw the emergence of some of the most iconic liberos of this era. Among them, highlighted:

  • Franco Baresi (AC Milan, Italy): A true master of the position, considered one of the best defenders of all time. Baresi was famous for his ability to read the game and his precision in long passes..
  • Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund, Germany): Winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1996, Sammer was a key player in the Euro Cup that same year, standing out for his ability to get ahead of rivals and his ability to transform defense into attack.
  • Ciro Ferrara (Juventus, Italy): Ferrara was one of Juventus' most reliable defenders in the 90, and although it was not a pure libero, In many parties he played this role, providing security to your team.
  • Ronald Koeman (Barcelona, Netherlands): The great Dutch defender was an exceptional libero, not just defending, but also scoring crucial goals, like in the final of the European Cup 1992 with Barcelona against Sampdoria. Not in vain, is one of the highest scoring defenders in the history of football.

The decline of the libero

As the decade of the 90 and football became more dynamic and faster, the use of the libero was losing prominence. Tactics began to favor more compact defenses, with lines of four players instead of three center backs and a libero. further, with the introduction of the back pass rule to the goalkeeper in 1992, teams began to adopt a more offensive approach, which also contributed to the decline of this position. But nevertheless, his influence on football 90 it's undeniable.

The legacy of the libero in modern football

Although the libero position has disappeared in its classical form, His influence is still felt in modern football. Many defenders of this part of the century, like Virgil van Dijk or Gerard Piqué, have exhibited characteristics typical of that position, such as the ability to anticipate plays, lead from behind, and distribute the ball accurately.

Today, defensive tactics have evolved, but the essence of the free player—that defender who played “free”, organized the game and was the last bastion of defense—still lives on in the hearts of teams that value both defensive solidity and the ability to build play from the back.

The use of the libero in the teams of the 90 It was a trend that marked a golden era in world football. Teams and selections that adopted this position managed to stand out for their defensive solidity and their ability to neutralize the best forwards of the moment..

Although today the traditional “free” is no longer common, His legacy is still present in the way the role of defenders is conceived in today's football.. Years 90 were, definitely, the ideal setting for this position to reach its peak and leave its mark in the history of football.

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