Laterals in Football: The Universal Soldier on the Flank

Modern football changes faster than tactical encyclopedias can be published. Not long ago, players on the flanks were clearly divided into defenders and midfielders. Today, the boundaries are blurred, and laterals are increasingly active on the flank. The term comes from Italian and Spanish football, and in Russia, more and more coaches and commentators are using it. Let's figure out who a lateral is, what tasks they solve, and how they differ from full-backs, wingers, and wing-backs.

Who is a lateral in simple words

A lateral is a full-back who combines the functions of a defender and a midfielder. He operates across the entire flank, participating in both defensive and attacking actions. Unlike a classic full-back, a lateral often joins the attack and can score. Unlike a winger (a wing attacker), he does not forget about his direct duties — breaking down opponents' attacks and covering the center.

The ideal lateral is a footballer with incredible physical endurance. He runs more than anyone else in the team during the match, as he must be able to cover both the flank defense and the final third of the field. A good lateral can pass, cross, perform a lofted pass, but at the same time, play hard in the tackle and choose the right position during a counter-attack.

Lateral and full-back: what's the difference

A full-back is a traditional full-back in a scheme with four defenders. His main task is to neutralize the opponent's winger and rarely join the attack (only during set pieces or in fast breaks). A lateral, however, acts more variably. He can start an attack from the back, go for a one-on-one, move to the center, and even play the role of a false midfielder.

The difference is also evident in schemes. Full-backs fit perfectly into 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, where zones of responsibility are clearly defined. Laterals, on the other hand, thrive in schemes with three central defenders (3-5-2, 5-3-2, 3-4-3). Essentially, a lateral is a wing midfielder who moves to the defense line when the ball is lost. This is why the best laterals in the world (such as Marcos Alonso, Hans Hattebur, Robin Gosens) have played or are playing in systems with three central defenders.

Lateral and winger: do they compete or complement each other

In terms of tactics, a lateral and a winger are on the same flank. However, their tasks are different, and they often even compete for a place in the lineup. A winger is an attacking player. He should move to the center, score goals, and make assists. Defensive duties are secondary for him. A lateral, however, remains a defender even when actively going forward. If there is a strong winger in the team, a lateral can cover him from behind and create a numerical advantage. If there is no winger, a lateral takes over the entire flank, acting as a "universal soldier".

In modern football, the 3-4-3 scheme is often used, where two laterals cover the entire flank without the help of wingers. In schemes 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2, both a winger and a full-back can act on one flank — in this case, there is no pure lateral.

History of the term: the Italian trace

In Italian football, the word "laterale" was used to refer to full-backs on the flanks in the 3-5-2 scheme as early as the 1980s. However, the term gained worldwide fame in the early 21st century thanks to coaches who promoted aggressive flank football. In Russia and the countries of the former USSR, terms such as "full-back," "flank worker," and "wing midfielder" were used for a long time. Now "lateral" is actively entering the lexicon due to the massive influence of foreign tactical schools and the popularity of video games (in Football Manager and FIFA, players on the flanks in three-center schemes are exactly labeled as laterals).

The best laterals of the modern era

The ideal lateral should have speed, workability, and the ability to play with two touches. Here are a few outstanding examples from recent years.

• Ashraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco national team). Plays on the right flank. Great speed, powerful shot, excellent technique. In Inter under Conte, he was a classic lateral in 3-5-2, almost playing like a winger.
• Robin Gosens (Germany national team). The idol of all fans of Atalanta during Gasperini's era. Scored 10-12 goals per season, playing on the left flank.
• Juan Cuadrado (formerly Juventus, Chelsea). Began as a winger but turned into a lateral in Italy. He did not lose dribbling but improved in defense.
• Marcos Alonso (Barcelona, Chelsea). Best revealed himself under Antonio Conte in Chelsea, where he often scored decisive goals, joining from the back.

Among Russian examples, Mario Fernandes (in his best years in CSKA, he played as a lateral in the 5-3-2 scheme) and Sergey Terехов ("Sochi," "Rostov") — a hardworking footballer with a good cross — can be mentioned.

Tactical nuances: how to play a lateral

If a coach sets the task of playing with laterals, several points should be considered. Firstly, a lateral must not lose position when transitioning from defense to attack. He must be able to go forward and return. This is why laterals often have exceptional physical fitness (Vo2max at the level of swimmers).

Secondly, a lateral needs a partner who will cover him from behind. In schemes 3-5-2 and 3-4-3, this role is played by the wing central defenders. They move to the flank when the lateral goes forward. Without such cover, the entire defensive structure collapses.

Thirdly, a lateral must be able to cross with both feet. If he plays in 3-5-2, crosses are his main weapon. In 4-4-2, from a lateral (there he is more likely to be called a full-back), more often require crosses and passes in one touch.

Disadvantages of playing with laterals: what is criticized about this tactic

The main disadvantage of laterals is the colossal load on specific players. Injuries in this position occur more often than in central defenders or holding midfielders. If there is no quality rotation, a lateral "sags" after 60 minutes of the match, and the team falls off on the flanks. The second drawback is vulnerability to teams that love long-range counter-attacks. If a lateral does not return in time, any fast winger can use the free zone on his flank. Finally, a lateral requires a special team structure — not every lineup is suitable for a tactic with three central defenders.

Lateral in youth football

Coaches in academies often force the learning of playing on the lateral position. This is difficult because children do not have the necessary physicality. Instead of forcing the line "lateral — universal player," wise coaches first teach the defender to defend and the midfielder to attack. Only after the age of 16, when the physical potential becomes clear, the most enduring are transferred to laterals. In Russia, there are still problems with this: many young footballers are not ready for such a workload and burn out by the age of 22.

Conclusion: lateral — a trend or for a long time

A lateral is not just a tactical trend but a response to the increasing intensity of the game. Football is becoming faster, and players who can cover the entire flank are invaluable. Top clubs pay tens of millions for laterals, and the demand for them does not decrease. Even in the classic 4-3-3 formation, full-backs are increasingly playing like laterals (think of Trent Alexander-Arnold or Joao Cancelo).

So the position has come seriously and for a long time. Therefore, every young footballer who wants to become sought-after should at least try himself on the flank — perhaps, exactly in the role of a universal lateral.

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