Is the sweeper role obsolete with modern formations?

Question

There has been mention of a role in defense of football called "Sweeper". Wikipedia gives the following explanation.

The sweeper or libero (Italian: free) is a more versatile type of Centre back that, as the name suggests, "sweeps up" the ball if the opponent manages to breach the defensive line. Their position is rather more fluid than other defenders who mark their designated opponents. The sweeper's ability to read the game is even more vital than for a Centre-back. The catenaccio system of play, used in Italian football in the 1960s, notably employed a defensive libero.

My question relates to the diagram of field positions shown below. If the sweeper is played, there will be 5 in defense. But from reading the wiki page, it seems that the sweeper's role is to read the game so that he wins the ball by tackling the opposition attackers, and also to make the forward run to start the counter attack.

In that case isn't the role of the sweeper same as the defensive midfielder (DM) now, except that DM will be in front of the defenders?

Can we say now since the sweeper's responsibility is shared now by both the defensive midfielders and the Centre backs, the sweeper's position has become obsolete?

(click for full-size image)

Answer 1

To me, there is still a difference between a Defensive Midfielder, and a Sweeper. Mainly in that a DM (has also be called a Stopper in some instances) is supposed to "stop" the fast flow of an attack before it totally breaches the back line. Where as the Sweeper will/can roam the back line and pick up the lose ends of the (hopefully) thwarted attack. For example, if a through-ball is issued, the Sweeper should be on top of that every time -- yes that's in a perfect world, but that is the idea.

I guess, yes, they can perform the same conceptual roles but it's done at different points on the pitch. The DM prevents the offense from gaining too much momentum through the midfield, and the Sweeper acts as the last line of defense in the back. I wouldn't say the Sweeper position is obsolete though -- but it does all depend on your formation -- as the Sweeper has the ability to run more free throughout the back, where as the back line is either man-marking or is responsible for a specific zone on the pitch. Obviously you don't see the Sweeper played in top-flight leagues much anymore because of the offside trap, but you definitely see it a lot in youth leagues because they haven't completely figured out the chemistry needed for the trap :) The place where I've seen Sweeper being used the most are in recreational leagues where they only have 1 referee, and the offside trap is almost impossible to rely on.

Answer 2

I'd say that the sweeper role IS somewhat obsolete, partially because what has been already taken up by others but also because defense mentality has changed quite a bit with the development of the game, and the training that goes with it.

Consider this scenario, would you like your last defender to be behind your main line of defense? Obviously the schematic you have is just sketch but in truth if your sweeper is the last security in defense he would need to be behind everybody else, in case the team mates mess up. So a long diagonal cross, or a well placed through ball, would tear that defense to shreds without the problem of off-side call.

Just as the attackers become more intelligent and fluid in their movement, so did the center backs ("DC" for manager fans :)) Most teams have their DCs seeing over the game, cutting any attempts to penetrate the line. Depending on the number of strikers the opponent team has the DCs might even alternate the responsibility of sweeping the line through out the game. Especially with the now popular 4-3-3 layout, there's usually one strong attacker which plays "pivot" while two fast and technically skilled wingers use the width. In that scenario the one DC would mark closely while the other would keep distance and orchestrate the defense.

The DM is a whole different story though by the way...

Answer 3

I believe that the sweeper position is becoming obsolete as a great deal of teams (at least most of the soccer teams I've played on and watched) rely on the offside trap as a defensive strategy. Needless to say, the offside trap only works with straight back line, so unless the sweeper plays more like a CB, you cannot have both a sweeper and operate the offside trap.

I personally would go with the offside trap over the sweeper, but I guess its just preference. I'm not sure when the last time I've watched a team in the EPL (or any top league for that matter) play with a sweeper.

However, in youth leagues, you see the sweeper played all the time. I'm taking a guess here but I imagine it is because at younger ages and lower skill levels, players are not able to organize their back lines efficiently. In this case, a sweeper can help out greatly as it adds that extra line of defense.

Answer 4

Even in the modern era you could find teams playing with a sweeper. Its not obsolete. But is considered heavily defensive. When you play a sweeper the formation followed is mostly 1-4-4-1 or 1-4-3-2. You can see this followed when two teams off very different calibers meet and its usually the weaker team that employs a sweeper. The modern and better reputed teams do not employ sweeper because they don't become a part in total football. in total football as the question poster mentioned the role of sweeper is shared by the two central defenders. I don't think the defensive mid has anything to do with SW becoming obsolete.

Answer 5

If your question is whether the sweeper position is obsolete; then the answer is no. For example Sam Allardyce's West Ham United currently play a sweeper in James Tomkins. It can be observed in the MLS as well where Thorsten Frings occupies this position for Toronto (the first playing more behind the defense and the second playing behind the midfield). Also, a 'keeper can occupy this position, if not in the traditional sense. However, whether or not this is an effective system is another matter!