I think that's very simplistic. A lot of the time Gross gets the space he needs to cross because he has Montoya overlapping outside him. The reason he can create so much joy from the half-space is that their full back can't come inside to close him down as he needs to mark Montoya when he overlaps. If Webster plays and doesn't overlap so much then it would reduce the amount of space afforded to Gross
Simples for simplicity. When we play on the wing where the winger is, on the opposite side the advancing full back can fill the role for a sudden switch of play. Advancing backs always leave a gap (with four at the back) but it is a risk worth taking even when after a second goal?
If we play two wingers what is the other winger doing; he could come inside as a second forward, or we could have an extra forward?
The choice is
1) two wingers
2) two wing-backs
3) one winger and an overlapping full-back, leaving a space for a free roaming advanced midfielder Pascal
My maxims:
we can only play on one wing at a time
four players in defence and midfield is enough to cover the width of the pitch
running diagonally across the pitch covers more useful ground for energy expended
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