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Plays just behind the striker, arriving late into the box to score or finding pockets in the channels. Unlike a classic 10 who drops deep, the shadow striker focuses on forward runs and finishing. Thomas Müller calls himself a "Raumdeuter" (space interpreter) - he finds gaps and arrives in dangerous spots without defenders noticing. Often racks up goals despite playing nominally behind the main forward.
Thomas Müller has made the shadow striker role his own at Bayern Munich - his "Raumdeuter" (space interpreter) movement sees him ghosting between the lines, arriving in dangerous positions seemingly from nowhere to score crucial goals.
Robbie
Jan 16, 2026
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