2. The False 9
The false 9 evolved as a response to the traditional number 9 as the game progressed to be more possession based. This position is a little harder to define than its predecessor, however, the main idea behind a false nine is that although the player in that position lines up as the lead striker, he actually drops a lot deeper not only to collect the ball, but also to be a creator. This playmaking aspect to the role makes it difficult to sometimes differentiate it from a number 10. Although finishing is still important, technique and creation play a larger role than it would for a target man. Lionel Messi is the greatest example of what a false 9 is. It seems as though the position was built for him, and in some respect it was. The playing style of Barcelona allows a player like Messi to not only be a goal scorer, but also a creator. Granted a player of Messi's calibre would be good almost anywhere on the field, he is the one that made the role famous. In 2012 he broke Gerd Muller's goals scored in a calendar year record with 91, and already has 41 goals for club and country this season. He may have number 10 on his back, but he scores goals like a number 9. The trick to his or any other false nine's game is the ability to produce anything from anywhere. When you watch the video above you will notice that he picks up the ball from all over the field, whereas in the Falcao video he, for the most part, stays around the box. A false nine uses a combination of every skill to score goals, and because of this it makes them so hard to defend. As a false nine drops deep, it forces a defender to either step and follow, leaving space in behind, or leave him in the space. By doing this, a player like Messi is successful because defenders simply do not know what to do. A postion that few can excel at, but when done right, it is almost impossible to stop. Source(s):
ESPN Soccernet http://youtu.be/MjaF26OYOps