Martí Cifuentes: Attacking a mid-block

In this excellent Coaches’ Voice Masterclass, Queens Park Rangers head coach Martí Cifuentes discusses attacking principles for attacking a mid-block.

The Catalan coach took over at Loftus Road after 14 games of the 2023/24 Championship season, with the club six points from safety. He proceeded to oversee a run of form that lifted them clear of the relegation places, playing a brand of football that garnered appreciation in West London, as well as respect in the wider football fraternity.

Appointed by QPR at the age of 41, Cifuentes already had a 20-year coaching career behind him, which began in Spain’s lower leagues. He has subsequently experienced life as a head coach in the top divisions of Norway, Denmark and Sweden, before moving to England. And at QPR he has been bringing that experience to bear, steadily implementing ideas he has spent many years honing as a coach.

Now, in this exclusive Masterclass filmed in September 2024, Cifuentes shares his thoughts on how to break down a mid-block, including key principles, positioning and consideration of rest defence. He also looks at best-practice examples from elite levels of the game.