Lateral in football: the universal soldier on the flank

Modern football changes faster than tactical encyclopedias can be published. Not long ago, players on the flanks were clearly divided into defenders and midfielders. Today, the boundaries are blurred, and laterals are increasingly active on the flank. The term comes from Italian and Spanish football, and in Russia, more and more coaches and commentators are using it. Let's figure out who a lateral is, what tasks they solve, and how they differ from full-backs, wingers, and wing-backs.

What is a lateral in simple words

A lateral is a full-back who combines the functions of a defender and a midfielder. He operates across the entire flank, participating in both defensive and attacking actions. Unlike a classic full-back, a lateral often joins the attack and can take shots. Unlike a winger (a flank attacker), he does not forget about his direct duties — to disrupt the opponent's attacks and cover the center.

The ideal lateral is a footballer with incredible physical endurance. He runs more than anyone in the team during a match, as he must be able to cover both the defensive flank and the final third of the field. A good lateral knows how to pass, cross, perform a lofted pass, but at the same time, play a hard tackle and choose the right position during a counter-attack.

Lateral and full-back: what is the difference

A full-back is a traditional flank defender in a scheme with four defenders. His main task is to neutralize the opponent's winger and rarely join the attack (only during set pieces or in fast breaks). A lateral, however, acts more variably. He can start an attack from deep, go for a breakthrough, move to the center, and even play the role of a false midfielder.

The difference is also visible in schemes. Full-backs fit perfectly into 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, where zones of responsibility are clearly defined. Laterals, on the other hand, excel in schemes with three central defenders (3-5-2, 5-3-2, 3-4-3). In essence, a lateral is a flank midfielder who retreats to the defensive line when the ball is lost. This is why the best laterals in the world (such as Marcos Alonso, Hans Hatebur, Robin Gosens) have played or are playing in systems with three central defenders.

Lateral and winger: do they compete or complement each other

From a tactical standpoint, a lateral and a winger are on the same flank. However, their tasks are different, and they often even compete for a place in the lineup. A winger is an attacking player. He should move to the center, take shots, and make assists. Defensive duties are secondary for him. A lateral, however, remains a defender even when actively joining the attack. If there is a strong winger in the team, a lateral can cover him from behind and create a numerical advantage. If there is no winger, a lateral takes on the entire flank, acting as a "universal soldier".

In modern football, the 3-4-3 scheme is often used, where two laterals cover the entire flank without the help of wingers. In schemes 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2, a winger and a full-back can act on the same flank, and there is no pure lateral.

History of the term's appearance: the Italian influence

In Italian football, the word "laterale" was used to denote flank defenders in the 3-5-2 scheme as early as the 1980s. However, the term gained worldwide fame in the early 21st century thanks to coaches who promoted aggressive flank football. In Russia and the countries of the former USSR, terms such as "flank defender," "flankworker," and "flank midfielder" were used for a long time. Now, "lateral" is actively entering the lexicon due to the mass influence of foreign tactical schools and the popularity of video games (in Football Manager and FIFA, players on the flanks in three-center schemes are marked as laterals).

The best laterals of the modern era

The ideal lateral should have speed, workability, and the ability to play two-touch football. Here are some bright examples from recent years.

• Ashraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco national team). Plays on the right flank. Great speed, powerful shot, excellent technique. In Inter under Conte, he was a classic lateral in 3-5-2, playing almost like a winger.
• Robin Gosens (Germany national team). A fan favorite of Atalanta's era under Gasperini. Scored 10-12 goals per season, playing on the left flank.
• Juan Cuadrado (formerly Juventus, Chelsea). Started as a winger but was promoted to a lateral in Italy. Did not lose dribbling skills but improved in defense.
• Marcos Alonso (Barcelona, Chelsea). Best revealed under Antonio Conte at Chelsea, where he often scored decisive goals, joining from deep.

Among Russian examples, Mario Fernandes (in his best years at CSKA, he played as a lateral in the 5-3-2 scheme) and Sergey Terekhov ("Sochi," "Rostov") — a hardworking player with a good cross — can be mentioned.

Tactical nuances: how to play as a lateral

If a coach sets the task of playing with laterals, several points should be considered. First, a lateral should not lose position during transitions from defense to attack. He must be able to go forward and return. Therefore, laterals often have exceptional physical fitness (Vo2max at the level of swimmers).

Secondly, a lateral needs a partner who will cover his back. In schemes 3-5-2 and 3-4-3, this role is played by the flank central defenders. They move to the flank when the lateral goes forward. Without such cover, the entire defensive structure collapses.

Thirdly, a lateral must be able to cross with both feet. If he is playing in a 3-5-2, crosses are his main weapon. In a 4-4-2, from a lateral (who is more likely to be called a full-back there), more often require crosses and passes in two touches.

Disadvantages of playing with laterals: what is criticized about this tactic

The main drawback of laterals is the colossal load on specific players. Injuries in this position occur more often than among central defenders or pivot players. If there is no quality rotation, after 60 minutes of play, the lateral "sags," and the team drops on the flanks. The second drawback is vulnerability to teams that love sweeping counter-attacks. If the lateral does not return in time, any fast winger can use the free zone on his flank. Finally, a lateral requires a special team structure — not every lineup is suitable for a tactic with three central defenders.

Lateral in youth football

Coaches in academies often force the training of playing as a lateral. This is difficult because children do not yet have the necessary physicality. Instead of bending the line "lateral — universal player," wise coaches first teach the defender to defend and the midfielder to attack. Only after the age of 16, when the physical potential becomes clear, the most enduring are transferred to laterals. In Russia, there are still problems with this: many young footballers are not ready for such a workload and burn out by the age of 22.

Conclusion: lateral — a trend or for a long time

The lateral is not just a tactical trend but a response to the increasing intensity of the game. Football is becoming faster, and players who can cover the entire flank are invaluable. Top clubs pay tens of millions for laterals, and demand for them is not falling. Even in the classic 4-3-3 formation, full-backs are increasingly playing like laterals (think of Trent Alexander-Arnold or Joao Cancelo).

So the position has come seriously and for a long time. This means that every young footballer who wants to become sought-after should at least try himself on the flank — perhaps in the role of a universal lateral.

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