Marco van Basten analyzes the position of striker
For a feature like this, it’s preferable to speak with someone who has experienced a wide variety of situations at the highest level in their position. Marco van Basten fits this description perfectly. The man who delivered the Netherlands their only major tournament victory was an exceptionally complete striker. He combined technique, game intelligence, and scoring ability, making him invaluable for the Dutch national team, Ajax, and AC Milan. In an interview with De Voetbaltrainer, he discusses the intricacies of the striker’s craft through video analysis of several top strikers. “The brain of a striker essentially functions like a computer that builds a large database. The more you fill that database, the better you’ll be at making the right decision in a fraction of a second.”
This article is a small part of the complete article which was published in the magazine De Voetbaltrainer, early 2024.
Movement in Front of Goal (1)
Vinícius Júnior moves around his opponent on the left flank and delivers a low outside-foot cross to Karim Benzema (Image 1a). Benzema uses a double zigzag run to shake off his marker and finishes from close range at the far post.
Marco van Basten: “The best strikers in the world are those who can exploit the spaces left by opponents most effectively. This ideally happens in the best areas of the pitch—in this case, in or near the penalty box—ensuring the goalkeeper cannot intercept the ball. At the near post, the defender is heavily focused on the space, making it more logical for Benzema to appear at the far post instead.
These types of low crosses are very difficult to defend. The defender has to simultaneously monitor the ball and their direct opponent. This is nearly impossible to do in one glance, as the ball is in front of them while Benzema is slightly behind. This creates an engaging duel, almost like a game of cat and mouse. The defender and attacker are both trying to outthink each other—what is the other likely to do next?”
Were you often aware as a striker of when your opponent could or could not see you?
“Not really; everything happens too quickly for that. It’s all about fractions of a second. The situation is constantly changing. It’s something you primarily learn through experience. I compare it to a computer building its database. This computer processes input from everything—playing on the streets, training sessions, and matches. The more data it collects, the more knowledge you have to draw from.
The next step is using that database, which essentially comes down to calculating probabilities. Top players are much better at accurately assessing probabilities than average players. Let me give you an example: Benzema has multiple options here. He could move to the near post, the far post, or drop back to the penalty spot. Based on who has the ball, who his direct opponent is, the form of the day, and even external factors like the weather or pitch quality, he makes a decision in a fraction of a second. That decision is aimed at maximizing his chance of scoring. This specific scenario is a textbook example of successful probability calculation.”
Is this process conscious or unconscious?
“Mostly unconscious. The game moves too fast for such decisions to be made consciously. However, this can happen in other scenarios, such as during set pieces like free kicks. In Benzema’s case, he has to act so quickly that he relies entirely on the database he has built up over the years. That said, such decisions can also be practiced consciously in training, where there’s more time to pause play, receive feedback, and reflect. Over time, you need to internalize these processes so deeply that you can execute them at the highest speed and quality, almost without thinking.
It’s also worth analyzing Benzema’s movement in greater detail. About 20 meters from goal, he starts moving diagonally toward the left side of the pitch. Then he shifts direction slightly to the right. Just inside the box, he cuts back toward the left, only to change direction again toward the right. He makes this final adjustment because he notices the defender is reading his initial movement toward the near post. That’s extraordinary. At full speed, he adapts his run in real time based on what’s happening around him. This level of skill is reserved for the absolute elite.
The true brilliance of a top striker lies not so much in their finishing but in their ability to recognize and exploit spaces, creating optimal scoring opportunities. Cristiano Ronaldo excels at this. While he is, of course, a great finisher, his real distinction is how often he gets into dangerous positions. The same principle applies to every striker. That’s why it’s surprising that coaches often focus so heavily on finishing itself. While finishing is important, it defines a striker’s quality far less than their ability to find spaces and generate high-quality chances.”
Movement in Front of Goal (2)
Rodrygo receives the ball in depth, positioned to the right of the penalty area (Image 1b). He cuts inside, performs a step-over, moves back to the outside, and crosses the ball to Benzema, who had been holding back before making his run. Falling backward, Benzema manages to guide the ball into the net.
“When the ball goes deep to Rodrygo, Benzema must assess what Rodrygo is likely to do. If Rodrygo were to cross it immediately, Benzema would need to sprint toward the goal. However, if he anticipates that Rodrygo will control the ball and dribble inside first, it’s better for him to wait. He opts for the latter, and it proves to be the right choice. This is another example of the probability calculations I mentioned earlier.
It could have happened that Rodrygo crossed the ball suddenly—that’s the unpredictability of football. But based on the situation and his understanding of Rodrygo, Benzema considers it unlikely. He initially sprints, but slows to almost a standstill at the edge of the box. This gives him extra space to accelerate toward the goal if Rodrygo takes on his defender one-on-one.
Benzema handled this situation brilliantly, though it also highlights the poor defending by Real Valladolid’s Martin Hongla. At the highest level, defenders are much better at predicting what attackers will do and reacting accordingly. When I played, defenders like Franco Baresi, Ronald Spelbos, Ivan Nielsen, Jürgen Kohler, and Pietro Vierchowod were incredibly adept at reading the game and anticipating movements.
In this clip, a smart defender would create some distance from Benzema by defending closer to the goal. This allows for better reaction time and recovery if they are slightly late. Now, Hongla is too focused on the ball and loses track of Benzema entirely. Of course, Benzema and Rodrygo’s strong connection also plays a role here. They’ve been teammates for a while and understand each other’s tendencies well.”
Did you have a similar connection with teammates in your career?
“With the Dutch national team, I had that connection with players like Arnold Mühren, Jan Wouters, and John van ’t Schip. At AC Milan, it was very strong with right-back Mauro Tassotti. For example, if I moved toward the ball and the defender followed me, he knew I’d ask for a through ball. If I made a run in behind and the defender tracked me, he was ready to pass to my feet.
To build such a connection with a teammate, you can practice specific drills. But it’s also crucial to discuss football together frequently. Talk about specific situations. Each player has their own ‘computer’—their personal database of experiences and preferences. You need to align these databases to improve your chemistry on the pitch.
This is high-level problem-solving: making probability calculations in a split second, and doing so constantly. A match lasts 5,400 seconds (excluding stoppage time), and the situation changes every single second—or even more frequently. That mental processing is incredibly demanding. Players need to always be aware of their surroundings, where danger might arise, and where they can gain an advantage. Football requires extraordinary cognitive effort.”
Do intelligent players have a significant advantage in this regard?
“Absolutely, but it’s important to note that football intelligence is very different from the kind of intelligence used in daily life. Diego Maradona was a phenomenal player. He could process information, make decisions, and execute them at lightning speed. But he wouldn’t be the first person I’d choose for a general knowledge quiz! Maradona’s intelligence on the pitch was exceptional.
Conversely, you sometimes see players who are brilliant academically but make poor decisions on the field. Football intelligence alone isn’t enough; you also need the technical ability to execute your ideas. The better you master ball control as a child, the more you can focus on observing your surroundings. That’s when you start thinking about teamwork and increasing the chances of scoring.
Youth football begins with technique, and as players develop, there’s more room for tactics.
To return to Benzema: a run always depends on the broader context. The choice of movement depends on many factors: the situation around you, your direct opponent, your form that day, the weather, what’s just happened in the game, and how well your database is filled. This applies not only to runs but to every action in football.
Take passing, for example: when I pass to you, I’m sending a message. If I see you have a defender at your back, I’ll pass the ball hard so you can lay it off. If I see you can turn, I’ll pass it more gently. This is a form of non-verbal communication.”
