What makes Brighton so unique though is how they defend deeper.
Most teams who press high from opposition goal-kicks then settle into a more rigid defensive shape closer to their own goal. These defensive blocks are generally examples of zonal defending rather than man-to-man defending.
The most common defensive block for top teams tends to come in the form of a 4-4-2. Players are tasked with marshalling specific ‘zones’, aiming to make it harder for opponents to get into dangerous positions. There is often a focus on blocking the centre of the pitch, with the wider areas less congested for opponents to play in.
Brighton’s magic this season is in the form of continuing to use man-to-man ideas, albeit in a more measured fashion, when pushed closer to their own goal.
This more measured version of a man-to-man press is seen in Brighton’s use of an extra player, or a ‘plus-one’ (+1) in their backline. Put simply, if opponents commit four forwards high up the pitch, Brighton will defend with five.
As such, Brighton aren’t looking to go man-to-man everywhere, always, but they are looking to do it as much as they can while adhering to two key principles: trying to keep a plus-one in defence and while focusing on blocking the centre of the pitch.