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How often a team plays forward rather than sideways or backward. High verticality means lots of progressive passes; low verticality means lots of circulation and recycling. Neither is inherently better - it depends on what you're trying to do. Guardiola teams often have lower verticality in possession but devastating vertical moments when gaps appear. Direct teams have high verticality throughout.
Bielsa's Leeds had extreme verticality - they wanted to play forward constantly, rarely taking the safe option. It was thrilling to watch but left them vulnerable when the vertical passes didn't come off.
Robbie
Jan 30, 2026
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