Why unique Brighton defence is so tricky to unpick

What makes Brighton so unique though is how they defend deeper.

Most teams who press high from opposition goal-kicks then settle into a more rigid defensive shape closer to their own goal. These defensive blocks are generally examples of zonal defending rather than man-to-man defending.

The most common defensive block for top teams tends to come in the form of a 4-4-2. Players are tasked with marshalling specific 'zones', aiming to make it harder for opponents to get into dangerous positions. There is often a focus on blocking the centre of the pitch, with the wider areas less congested for opponents to play in.