The defensive glossary - half-backs, sweeper keepers, the libero and beyond

The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Tom Worville and Ali Maxwell complete their quest to classify every possible position and role on a football pitch with the third and final edition of the ZM pod footballing glossary, this time focusing on defenders and goalkeepers.

What's the difference between a libero and a sweeper? When is a back three really a back five? Should the outside centre-backs in a three man defence be called full-backs? Is Joao Cancelo the modern half-back? What is the opposite of a sweeper keeper?

All these questions answered and more as we journey deep into the the defensive third

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