Philipp Lahm’s Tactical Blueprint: How to Defend Against Yamal, Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé

In his recent column for The Athletic, Philipp Lahm, former Bayern Munich and Germany captain, shares his insights on defending against some of the most formidable wingers in modern football. Drawing from his extensive experience, Lahm provides detailed strategies to counter players like Lamine Yamal, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Bukayo Saka, and Vinícius Júnior.

Lamine Yamal

Lahm emphasizes the necessity of constant vigilance when facing Yamal:

"You always have to be maximally focused against Lamine Yamal. The key is to anticipate how he moves, because you won't have enough time to react. He shouldn't have much space, and it's also important to push him to play with the right, which he is generally weaker with."

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Comparing Kvaratskhelia to his former teammate Franck Ribéry, Lahm notes:

"The distance Khvicha Kvaratskhelia can carry the ball is remarkable, more so that he is still dangerous at the end of those runs. He gives something to all his teams. He’s the star for the Georgian national team, but he works and defends as fiercely as anyone in that side. He is a fighter, both offensively and defensively; it is in his nature."

Ousmane Dembélé

Highlighting Dembélé's unpredictability, Lahm states:

"I played against Dembele once. It's very obvious how capable he is, but the biggest problem is that he's a very unpredictable player. He relies a lot on his instincts, he's great with both feet and it's extremely difficult to defend well against a player like that."

Bukayo Saka

Lahm suggests a comprehensive approach to neutralize Saka:

"I think you need to take a holistic approach to Saka and cut him off from the passing game. You want him to have as few touches as possible and try to close the passing lanes around him. It’s very important that he is isolated from his teammates as much as possible. He is very direct. He must not receive the ball in the final third."

Vinícius Júnior

Acknowledging Vinícius's prowess, Lahm advises:

"Vinicius is not really neutralisable, but the critical thing is not to give him space to move into the box. You have to be careful of the lines and angles he wants to penetrate. You want to push him to the outside, you always want him on the touchline, far from the box."

Michael Olise

For Olise, Lahm recommends immediate pressure:

"Pressure, pressure, pressure. You have to attack him early, as soon as he receives the pass. Keep your eye on him constantly. You want to be close to him to 'distract' him, but at the same time have just enough distance, otherwise he can bury you with his explosiveness."

Conclusion

Philipp Lahm's analysis underscores the importance of tailored defensive strategies when facing top-tier wingers. His insights provide valuable guidance for defenders aiming to elevate their game against Europe's elite attackers.

Published by Patrick Jane
07.05.2025