Maresca’s Leicester formation and tactics explained with 2023/24 coming

Out of possession

Like Brendan Rodgers, Maresca utilises a 4-4-2 structure out of possession, although he used a 4-5-1 low-block against an elite side in Liverpool. In the Championship, Enzo will likely use the 4-4-2 due to the assumed qualitative superiority the Foxes possess.

This involves a high-pressing system, something LCFC failed to successfully implement in the latter half of Rodgers’ tenure. Often Leicester City would be bypassed due to a flawed pressing structure and/or individual physical limitations. Therefore, whilst a well-coached counter-press is vital to pin opponents back, having a physically capable squad is equally critical.

It is difficult to assess Leicester’s press due to playing against either significantly inferior/superior opposition. Nevertheless, the game against Northampton highlighted the positional principles. Winks and Ricardo’s positions were key in either picking up second balls or covering potential transitions.

Leicester City will likely face mainly transitional threats in the upcoming season, so there is nothing better than stopping these transitions at source, especially without a physically dominant figure in defensive midfield. If this fails, hopefully, Maresca has also taught his players the art of tactical fouls which, whilst aggravating, are a necessary part of the game.

Limitations for Maresca’s Leicester City

Whilst Maresca’s tactics have an extremely high ceiling when performed right the system can backfire if there are not the right personnel. For instance, inverting both full-backs creates gaps that can be exploited in transition by opponents. This can be exacerbated if the RCB does not have the mobility to cover out wide. Therefore, on paper current CBs do not seem to meet these criteria. After all, such a setup is extremely high-risk, albeit with a high-reward.

Furthermore, it can be questioned whether some members of the LCFC squad have the ability to play in a Maresca system, especially those lacking in technical security. Players such as Patson Daka, seem unsuited to playing the role of a technical striker who helps the side retain possession. Similarly, the futures of Wilfried Ndidi and Hamza Choudhury seem unclear given that they fit neither the profile for the ‘6’ or the ‘8’, due to their nature as ‘destroyers’.

Clearly, the project that Maresca has laid out for Leicester City fans remains extremely exciting despite much of the hype coming from the King Power side’s potential rather than tangible results as of yet. Nevertheless, there remains much work to be done, both on and off the pitch if the Foxes are to start the season strongly and make a quick return to the Premier League.